Howard Chai

Howard is based in Burnaby and covers real estate, housing policy, and the development industry. You can email him at howard@storeys.com or message him anonymously on Signal at HowardChai.24.

Howard Chai

Staff Writer & Western Lead

Greater Vancouver Real Estate Market Seeing "Emerging Signs Of A Recovery"

Home sales in Greater Vancouver are still down, but started to regain footing in June, according to Greater Vancouver Realtors.

Vancouver Unveils New Rupert And Renfrew Plan, Unlocking Up To 10K New Homes

The new Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan has been in the works since late-2021 and is set to be approved by Vancouver City Council on July 8.

Polygon Planning 31-Storey "Elysée" Condo Tower Near Oakridge Park

Polygon acquired the 5655 Cambie Street site earlier this year and has submitted a rezoning application for a 31-storey tower named Elysée.

Brookfield Buys Shangri-La Vancouver From Westbank & Peterson, Rebrands It As Hyatt

The Shangri-La Vancouver is located within a 62-storey tower developed by Westbank and Peterson and is set to be rebranded as a Park Hyatt in 2026.

BC Real Estate And Development Industry Hires And Promotions: June 2025

Commercial real estate brokers, Marcus & Millichap, Colliers, and Avison Young all made notable hires or promotions, as did developers Concert Properties, Wesgroup, and Wesbild.

High-Rise Condo Projects In Surrey Pivoting To Rental Amid Market Downturn

The Metro Vancouver presale market is tempered, but developers want to carry on with their projects, so are thus pivoting to rentals.

Calgary Real Estate Board Downgrades 2025 Forecast Due To "Heightened Uncertainty"

The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) previously projected over 26,000 sales in 2025, but is now cutting that projection to around 23,000.

Washroom Dispute Brews At Marine Landing As Buyers Raise Concerns

The Marine Landing stacked industrial project by Wesbild at 8232 Manitoba Street in Vancouver recently completed construction.

Coquitlam Unveils New Land Use Plan For Transit-Oriented Areas And Corridors

The City of Coquitlam is now holding public engagement on its proposed land use plan for Burquitlam and Lougheed Station, as well as southwest shoulder and corridor areas.

Victoria Unveils Modernized Parking Regulations To Support Development

Changes the City of Victoria are proposing include removing or reducing minimum parking requirements for different types of housing developments.

Calgary Making "Significant Strides" Since Approving Housing Strategy

The City of Calgary approved its "Home Is Here" housing strategy in September 2023 after a three-day public hearing.

Capilano Mall Redevelopment By QuadReal Includes 11 Towers Up To 40 Storeys

QuadReal has been working on a development plan for Capilano Mall in North Vancouver and has now submitted a formal application.

2025 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Howard Chai

Staff Writer & Western Lead

​Home sales in Greater Vancouver are still down, but started to regain footing in June, according to Greater Vancouver Realtors.

​The new Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan has been in the works since late-2021 and is set to be approved by Vancouver City Council on July 8.

​Polygon acquired the 5655 Cambie Street site earlier this year and has submitted a rezoning application for a 31-storey tower named Elysée.

The Shangri-La Vancouver is located within a 62-storey tower developed by Westbank and Peterson and is set to be rebranded as a Park Hyatt in 2026.

​Commercial real estate brokers, Marcus & Millichap, Colliers, and Avison Young all made notable hires or promotions, as did developers Concert Properties, Wesgroup, and Wesbild.

The Metro Vancouver presale market is tempered, but developers want to carry on with their projects, so are thus pivoting to rentals.

The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) previously projected over 26,000 sales in 2025, but is now cutting that projection to around 23,000.

​The Marine Landing stacked industrial project by Wesbild at 8232 Manitoba Street in Vancouver recently completed construction.

​The City of Coquitlam is now holding public engagement on its proposed land use plan for Burquitlam and Lougheed Station, as well as southwest shoulder and corridor areas.

​Changes the City of Victoria are proposing include removing or reducing minimum parking requirements for different types of housing developments.

​The City of Calgary approved its "Home Is Here" housing strategy in September 2023 after a three-day public hearing.

​QuadReal has been working on a development plan for Capilano Mall in North Vancouver and has now submitted a formal application.

2025 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Home sales in Greater Vancouver are still down, but started to regain footing in June, according to Greater Vancouver Realtors.

The new Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan has been in the works since late-2021 and is set to be approved by Vancouver City Council on July 8.

Polygon acquired the 5655 Cambie Street site earlier this year and has submitted a rezoning application for a 31-storey tower named Elysée.

Commercial real estate brokers, Marcus & Millichap, Colliers, and Avison Young all made notable hires or promotions, as did developers Concert Properties, Wesgroup, and Wesbild.

The Marine Landing stacked industrial project by Wesbild at 8232 Manitoba Street in Vancouver recently completed construction.

The City of Coquitlam is now holding public engagement on its proposed land use plan for Burquitlam and Lougheed Station, as well as southwest shoulder and corridor areas.

Changes the City of Victoria are proposing include removing or reducing minimum parking requirements for different types of housing developments.

The City of Calgary approved its "Home Is Here" housing strategy in September 2023 after a three-day public hearing.

QuadReal has been working on a development plan for Capilano Mall in North Vancouver and has now submitted a formal application.