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

BC Gov To Order Changes In West Van And Oak Bay After Missed Housing Targets

Earlier this year, the Province appointed special advisors to review why West Vancouver and Oak Bay missed their housing targets by a wide margin.

Matchpoint Facing Receivership On Completed Chloé Project In Kerrisdale

The Chloé project at 2096 W 47th Avenue in Vancouver was completed by Matchpoint Development last year and placed under receivership this February.

First Capital Completes Land Assembly, OLT Settlement For Avenue Lawrence Project

First Capital REIT acquired the Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue West properties in Toronto in phases over the last few years.

Foreclosed Project By Align Properties Near Oakridge Park Sold For $17M

Align Properties was planning two six-storey rental buildings at 5589-5661 Baillie Street in Vancouver before Amber Financial initiated foreclosure proceedings.

Republic and Harlo List Scarborough Junction Mega-Site With 7,655 Approved Units

The 7,655-unit Scarborough Junction master-planned community by Republic Developments and Harlo Capital is set for a 26-acre site right next to the Scarborough GO station.

VHDO Revises Pacific Burrard Project In Response To City Feedback

The Vancouver Housing Development Office unveiled the project near Burrard Bridge in December 2024 and has since made a series of revisions.

Dream Office REIT Secures Grant To Convert 16-Storey Office Tower In Calgary

The office building sits at 606 4th Street SW and Dream Office REIT (TSX: D.UN) has secured an $11 million grant via Calgary's office conversion incentive program.

Coquitlam Approves Temporary Density Bonus Discount, To Tweak Rental Incentives

Both the temporary density bonus discount and a revision to the Rental Incentive Program were considered by Coquitlam City Council on May 12.

TransLink Takes Legal Action Over Dunbar Construction Fire Incident

The construction fire incident that resulted in a crane toppling occurred at 3449 W 41st Avenue in Vancouver on August 6, 2024.

Ravelin Properties REIT Issues "Going Concern" Warning

Ravelin Properties REIT is currently in discussions with its lenders regarding recapitalization, but will be unable to continue as a going concern if they are unsuccessful.

Exclusive: Burnaby Housing Authority Names John Brendan McEown CEO

John Brendan McEown started his tenure as CEO of the Burnaby Housing Authority on May 9.

QuadReal Buys Maple Leaf Self Storage Chain Valued At Over $500M From Larco

The Maple Leaf Self Storage portfolio includes 11 properties in Metro Vancouver and four in Calgary and is valued at more than $500 million.

2025 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Howard Chai

Staff Writer & Western Lead

Earlier this year, the Province appointed special advisors to review why West Vancouver and Oak Bay missed their housing targets by a wide margin.

The Chloé project at 2096 W 47th Avenue in Vancouver was completed by Matchpoint Development last year and placed under receivership this February.

​First Capital REIT acquired the Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue West properties in Toronto in phases over the last few years.

Align Properties was planning two six-storey rental buildings at 5589-5661 Baillie Street in Vancouver before Amber Financial initiated foreclosure proceedings.

The 7,655-unit Scarborough Junction master-planned community by Republic Developments and Harlo Capital is set for a 26-acre site right next to the Scarborough GO station.

​The Vancouver Housing Development Office unveiled the project near Burrard Bridge in December 2024 and has since made a series of revisions.

​The office building sits at 606 4th Street SW and Dream Office REIT (TSX: D.UN) has secured an $11 million grant via Calgary's office conversion incentive program.

Both the temporary density bonus discount and a revision to the Rental Incentive Program were considered by Coquitlam City Council on May 12.

​The construction fire incident that resulted in a crane toppling occurred at 3449 W 41st Avenue in Vancouver on August 6, 2024.

​Ravelin Properties REIT is currently in discussions with its lenders regarding recapitalization, but will be unable to continue as a going concern if they are unsuccessful.

​​John Brendan McEown started his tenure as CEO of the Burnaby Housing Authority on May 9.

​The Maple Leaf Self Storage portfolio includes 11 properties in Metro Vancouver and four in Calgary and is valued at more than $500 million.

2025 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved

First Capital REIT acquired the Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue West properties in Toronto in phases over the last few years.

The Vancouver Housing Development Office unveiled the project near Burrard Bridge in December 2024 and has since made a series of revisions.

The office building sits at 606 4th Street SW and Dream Office REIT (TSX: D.UN) has secured an $11 million grant via Calgary's office conversion incentive program.

The construction fire incident that resulted in a crane toppling occurred at 3449 W 41st Avenue in Vancouver on August 6, 2024.

Ravelin Properties REIT is currently in discussions with its lenders regarding recapitalization, but will be unable to continue as a going concern if they are unsuccessful.

John Brendan McEown started his tenure as CEO of the Burnaby Housing Authority on May 9.

The Maple Leaf Self Storage portfolio includes 11 properties in Metro Vancouver and four in Calgary and is valued at more than $500 million.