Vancouver Commercial Real Estate Podcast

Hosted by Cory Wright

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About the show

Imagine you are friends with hundreds of commercial real estate investors, developers, economists and urban planners in Vancouver. Now imagine you can grab a coffee with each of them and casually chat about failures, successes, motivations, lessons learned and even their best investment advice. This plus the nuts and bolts of Commercial Real Estate - that’s what we’re aiming for with the Vancouver Commercial Real Estate Podcast!

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32 min

VCREP #185 | Inside Western Canada’s Real Estate Shift with Johannes Van Leenen

On this episode of the Vancouver Commercial Real Estate Podcast, Cory Wright sits down with Johannes Van Leenen to unpack the realities of development across Western Canada and beyond. From Calgary and Kelowna to Phoenix, Miami, Belize, and Bali, Johannes shares how Fifth Avenue Properties is navigating today’s challenging market while continuing to expand internationally.They discuss why Alberta continues to attract investment, how BC regulations are impacting condo development, the shift toward rental projects, and what developers are really facing with financing, pre-sales, DCC costs, and government policy. Johannes also gives his outlook on the next 12–24 months for the Canadian real estate market and explains why he still believes strongly in the long-term future of BC.Plus: business books, Calgary growth, Kelowna lifestyle, and why “Good to Great” remains required reading for entrepreneurs.

37 min

VCREP #184 | From Spec Builds to Strategy: How Vancouver Developers Are Adapting

Construction activity across Metro Vancouver is changing, with developers adjusting how projects are planned, financed, and delivered.This week, Cory Wright sits down with Ben Temple, Business Development Manager, and Darren Sauer, Director of Development at Wales McLelland, a construction firm with roots dating back to 1971. They discuss the shift toward owner-user projects over speculative development, as well as emerging demand in sectors like self-storage and data centres.The conversation closes with their outlook for the rest of 2026, including early signs of improving leasing activity and cautious optimism in the industrial development market.

35 min

VCREP #183 | Global Investing Insights with Peter Leung

This week on the Vancouver Commercial Real Estate Podcast, Cory Wright is joined by returning guest and “Investorpreneur” Peter Leung for a wide-ranging conversation on global markets and investment trends.Peter shares his perspective on the broader economic landscape, how international events are influencing Canadian markets, and what investors should be watching right now. The discussion also touches on opportunities beyond commercial real estate and how shifting global conditions could shape investment strategies moving forward.A big-picture conversation on markets, macro trends, and where smart investors may be looking next.

37 min

VCREP #182 | Unpacking BC’s 2026 Provincial Budget with Stephen Gammer

This week, Cory Wright is joined by Stephen Gammer, Senior Broker and Partner at William Wright Commercial’s Fraser Valley office, to break down BC’s 2026 Provincial Budget.With his background in provincial politics, Stephen unpacks the expanded PST on professional services, rising deficits, growing debt costs, and what it all means for developers, landlords, and tenants. They discuss how new taxes and increased spending could impact development viability, operating costs, and housing affordability across the province.A direct, no-nonsense conversation on policy, economics, and the future of commercial real estate in BC.

26 min

VCREP #181 | Why Nanaimo Could Be the Hottest Commercial Real Estate Market in 2026

Is Nanaimo the next breakout market in BC?This week on the Vancouver Commercial Real Estate Podcast, Cory Wright sits down with Evan Richardson from William Wright Commercial to break down why investors are turning their attention to Nanaimo.From population growth and limited commercial supply to national retailers entering the market, they unpack why this Vancouver Island city could be one of the most exciting places to invest in 2026.

51 min

REPOST: VCREP #36 | Investing in Multifamily 101 with Marianne DeCotiis

Disclaimer: This podcast was originally recorded and aired February 2022Ever wonder which commercial asset class has the lowest cap rate but offers the most stable returns? This week, Cory and Matt welcome Marianne DeCotiis, a multifamily specialist with William Wright Commercial’s Fraser Valley office. Tune in as Marianne breaks down the multifamily asset class, sharing how it’s funded, how the leases are government regulated, and plenty more!Marianne also walks through why demand for this asset class has been so consistent and how cap rates have hit historical lows, yet demand continues to grow. Multifamily operates a lot differently than most commercial asset classes and Marianne unpacks why that is.

35 min

VCREP #180 | Why Developers Can’t Build Homes in Today’s Market

This week, Cory Wright welcomes back Brad Jones, Chief Development Officer at Wesgroup, to unpack why building new housing has become so challenging in today’s market. They discuss everything from massive upfront costs and rising municipal fees to the unintended consequences of consumer protection legislation like the Real Estate Development Marketing Act (REDMA).The conversation also explores potential policy changes that could help unlock stalled projects, including removing GST on new housing and revisiting property transfer taxes. Brad offers a candid look at the hurdles developers face, why housing supply is struggling to keep up with demand, and what needs to change to get projects moving again.

40 min

VCREP #179 | Interest Rates, Lending, and What Comes Next with Alan Haigh

This week on the Vancouver Commercial Real Estate Podcast, Cory Wright welcomes back Alan Haigh, Founding Partner at Impact Commercial Group, to break down what’s really happening in the commercial lending market.Alan covers where interest rates and bond yields are sitting, how lenders are viewing risk right now, and what that means for investors moving into the next phase of the cycle. They touch on office, industrial, multifamily, and land, highlighting where deals are starting to make sense again and where caution is still warranted.The conversation also looks at regional trends across BC and Alberta and how experienced investors are adjusting their strategies in a tighter, more selective market.

40 min

VCREP #178 | Is the Market Finally Turning? A Commercial Real Estate Pulse Check

Is deal momentum finally returning, or is the market just catching its breath? Cory Wright and Rod MacKay sit down for an honest pulse check on commercial real estate, unpacking what they’re seeing on the ground as activity begins to pick up. From buyer expectations and pricing gaps to asset classes showing early signs of life, this conversation cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually matters right now. What’s driving renewed confidence? Where are deals still getting stuck? And what should investors and brokers be paying close attention to as the year unfolds? A timely, straight-shooting discussion for anyone trying to make sense of today’s market.

21 min

VCREP #177 | Top 5 Canadian Markets to Watch in 2026, with Western Investor’s Peter Mitham

Cory sits down with Western Investor editor Peter Mitham to reveal the Top 5 Western Canadian real estate markets to watch in 2026. From Kelowna’s land opportunities to Nanaimo’s resilient multifamily sector, Edmonton’s rising rents, Regina’s affordability advantage, and Winnipeg’s booming industrial demand. Lets go!