Brownfield
Explore brownfields in Canadian real estate — what they are, how they’re remediated, and why they matter for sustainable urban redevelopment.
June 27, 2025
What is a Brownfield?
A brownfield is a property that was previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and is now vacant or underused, often requiring environmental remediation before redevelopment.
Why Brownfields Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian urban development, brownfields present both challenges and opportunities, as they often occupy prime locations but carry contamination risks.
Brownfield projects typically involve:
- Environmental assessments (Phase I/II)
- Remediation and risk management plans
- Financial incentives from governments (e.g., tax relief)
Successful brownfield redevelopment supports urban revitalization, environmental cleanup, and housing supply growth.
Understanding brownfields is key for investors, developers, and municipalities seeking sustainable growth.
Example of Brownfield in Action
The city offered tax incentives to encourage the redevelopment of a brownfield site into a new mixed-use community.
Key Takeaways
- Former industrial or commercial sites
- May require cleanup before reuse
- Eligible for redevelopment incentives
- Supports urban revitalization
- Requires environmental due diligence


Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 






15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)

Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
