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

City Of Vancouver Introduces New Hotel Development Policy

Vancouver has a shortage of 10,000 hotel rooms according to Destination Vancouver and the City is looking to address that shortage with policy changes.

VHDO Planning 27-Storey Social Housing Tower On City-Owned Granville Loops Site

The social housing tower at 1395 Rolston Street is part of the larger Granville Loops redevelopment at the eastern end of Granville Bridge in Vancouver.

Victoria Evergreen Terrace Redevelopment By BC Housing To Include 900 Units

The existing Evergreen Terrace housing development sits on a 7.81-acre site along Blanshard Street between Bay Street and Hillside Avenue in Victoria.

How A Weakened Canadian Dollar Impacts Commercial Real Estate

The Canadian dollar is lower now than it was a year ago, but that may not be a bad thing for commercial real estate.

Tridel Finalizes Contract To Construct The One, Completion Expected In 2028

Following court approval of the contract, the receivership proceedings for The One will shift to CCAA creditor protection proceedings.

Foreclosed Oak Keys Project By South Street In Vancouver Listed For Sale

South Street Development Group was planning a townhouse community at 851 W 28th Avenue in Vancouver, but the property is now subject to a court-ordered sale.

Bazis Buys Two-Tower Project From First Capital For $32M, Planning Third Tower

First Capital REIT (TSX: FCR.UN) has sold 895 Lawrence Avenue East in North York, where it was planning two towers. Bazis is now planning three towers for the site.

Boardwalk REIT Acquires Elbow 5 Eight Property In Calgary For $93M

The Elbow 5 Eight rental building is located at 730 58 Avenue SW in Calgary and was developed by Cove Properties.

A Timeline Of Thind Properties And Its Insolvency

Thind Properties is currently facing insolvency proceedings on its District Northwest, Minoru Square, Highline Metrotown, Eclipse Brentwood, and Maywood projects.

CEO Neil Chrystal On Polygon Homes' 45th Birthday And The Current Development Landscape

Polygon Homes was founded in 1980 and Neil Chrystal has been with the company since 1987.

BC Pays Jim Pattison $52M For Richmond Property Near Fraser River Tunnel Project

The large industrial property at 13140 Rice Mill Road (13200 Rice Mill Road) was owned by Canfisco Group, a division of Jim Pattison Group.

Only Thing Missing From Vancouver Market "Made For Buyers" Is... Buyers: GVR

Market conditions in Greater Vancouver are very favourable to buyers at the moment, says Greater Vancouver Realtors, but buyers are not showing up.

2025 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Howard Chai

Staff Writer & Western Lead

Vancouver has a shortage of 10,000 hotel rooms according to Destination Vancouver and the City is looking to address that shortage with policy changes.

​The social housing tower at 1395 Rolston Street is part of the larger Granville Loops redevelopment at the eastern end of Granville Bridge in Vancouver.

​The existing Evergreen Terrace housing development sits on a 7.81-acre site along Blanshard Street between Bay Street and Hillside Avenue in Victoria.

The Canadian dollar is lower now than it was a year ago, but that may not be a bad thing for commercial real estate.

Following court approval of the contract, the receivership proceedings for The One will shift to CCAA creditor protection proceedings.

​South Street Development Group was planning a townhouse community at 851 W 28th Avenue in Vancouver, but the property is now subject to a court-ordered sale.

First Capital REIT (TSX: FCR.UN) has sold 895 Lawrence Avenue East in North York, where it was planning two towers. Bazis is now planning three towers for the site.

The Elbow 5 Eight rental building is located at 730 58 Avenue SW in Calgary and was developed by Cove Properties.

​Thind Properties is currently facing insolvency proceedings on its District Northwest, Minoru Square, Highline Metrotown, Eclipse Brentwood, and Maywood projects.

​Polygon Homes was founded in 1980 and Neil Chrystal has been with the company since 1987.

​The large industrial property at 13140 Rice Mill Road (13200 Rice Mill Road) was owned by Canfisco Group, a division of Jim Pattison Group.

​Market conditions in Greater Vancouver are very favourable to buyers at the moment, says Greater Vancouver Realtors, but buyers are not showing up.

2025 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved

The social housing tower at 1395 Rolston Street is part of the larger Granville Loops redevelopment at the eastern end of Granville Bridge in Vancouver.

The existing Evergreen Terrace housing development sits on a 7.81-acre site along Blanshard Street between Bay Street and Hillside Avenue in Victoria.

South Street Development Group was planning a townhouse community at 851 W 28th Avenue in Vancouver, but the property is now subject to a court-ordered sale.

Thind Properties is currently facing insolvency proceedings on its District Northwest, Minoru Square, Highline Metrotown, Eclipse Brentwood, and Maywood projects.

Polygon Homes was founded in 1980 and Neil Chrystal has been with the company since 1987.

The large industrial property at 13140 Rice Mill Road (13200 Rice Mill Road) was owned by Canfisco Group, a division of Jim Pattison Group.

Market conditions in Greater Vancouver are very favourable to buyers at the moment, says Greater Vancouver Realtors, but buyers are not showing up.