Howard Chai

SCOOP: Buyers have been found for the Hudson's Bay Buildings in Vancouver (Onni Group), Calgary (Astra Group), and Ottawa (Claridge Homes). All still pending court approval + closing. Prices have been redacted. (I'm working on it.) #vanRE Full story: howardchai.substack.com/p/hu…

For my latest story, I wanted to see whether there was truth to the narrative that developers are stuck with unsold condos cause they built too many studios and 1BRs. #vanRE The data seems to disprove that, as 2/3 are 2BRs and 3BRs. Here's why: theglobeandmail.com/real-est…

A second project by Westbank has been placed under receivership, this time by BMO. #vanRE It is the 40-storey project they were planning at 1668-1684 Alberni Street in Vancouver, which has not progressed beyond an application. The story: howardchai.substack.com/p/16…

Breaking News: The Government of Canada intends to extend the Foreign Buyer Ban for another two years, until January 1, 2029, but is carving out an exception for "new residential properties." (Probably presales.) #vanRE Full story: howardchai.substack.com/p/ca…

I'm starting a new series documenting lawsuits in the BC real estate industry. Parties in lawsuits in this first edition include QuadReal, Westbank, Thind, Minglian Group, Square Nine, and the City of Vancouver, among others. #vanRE howardchai.substack.com/p/bc…

Vancouver City Council was just sworn in. 5 Greens, 4 COPE, 1 OneCity, and 1 ABC. #vanpoli #vanRE Here's a look at the housing promises of all the parties: howardchai.substack.com/p/va…

Lot of people confused by this daylight savings situation. Maybe David Eby called the snap election for October to avoid voters angered by the change. #bcpoli

It's hard to keep up with all the campaign promises, but now that we know the Conservatives and Lorne Doerkson will be forming government, here's a look at their platform and what they've promised. (Focused on housing and business.) #bcpoli howardchai.substack.com/p/bc…

Maybe David Eby called a snap election because he wanted to be put out of his misery? #bcpoli

That Lorne Doerkson speech was objectively pretty good. #bcpoli

Breaking News: David Eby announces he is stepping down as Leader of the BC NDP. #bcpoli

**British Columbia. #bcpoli #vanpoli

Wesgroup and Crombie REIT / $CRR.UN.TO have unveiled plans to redevelop the Collingwood Safeway in Vancouver into 5 towers between 19 and 29 storeys. Will this be as contentious as the Commercial-Broadway Safeway redevelopment? Full details: howardchai.substack.com/p/34…

Vancouver went from an ABC / right-leaning supermajority to a Green / near-full progressive council. I’m expecting some policy whiplash. #vanpoli #vanRE

As a journalist who covers housing and the real estate industry: it’s gonna be a very interesting 4 years in Vancouver. #vanRE