Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate. What if the global geopolitical churn is actually creating opportunities to realign your portfolio?
In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, powered by First National, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk are joined by Byron Chard, President and CEO of Chard Development to unpack how specialized developers are reshaping Canada’s multifamily and hospitality sectors. Byron shares Chards’ shift from merchant development to long-term institutional partnerships, emphasizing transparency, operational control, and data-driven execution.
He explains how retaining asset management creates a powerful feedback loop that improves design and cash flow over decades. The conversation also explores how AI is enhancing consistency across projects, why obtainable housing can de-risk development, and how evolving affordability dynamics are extending rental demand. Looking ahead, Byron outlines a cautious market outlook through 2026, with stabilization in 2027 and recovery building into 2028.
What you will learn:
- How to build institutional alignment as a developer
- Why retaining asset management capability compounds competitive advantage
- The “small and nimble” positioning paradox
- How operational decisions in construction directly impact 20+ year cash flows
- Why obtainable housing derisks development and unlocks density
- The 2026-2028 market inflection thesis
Byron Chard is President & CEO of Chard Development, where he leads day-to-day operations and strategic growth across British Columbia. Since joining in 2014, he has expanded the firm beyond residential projects in Victoria to include purpose-built rentals, affordable ownership, and mixed-use developments across Vancouver and North Vancouver. Overseeing more than one million square feet in development, Byron focuses on operational excellence, long-term value creation, and delivering diverse housing solutions that support communities and help residents move up the housing continuum.
Episode Timeline:
- 00:00 Intro: Welcome to the CRE Podcast
- 02:01 From Ernst & Young to Family Real Estate Empire
- 05:00 Purpose-Built Rental: The Strategic Pivot That Changed Everything
- 08:34 Small Developer Agility as Institutional Advantage
- 11:09 Operational Details: Drive 20-Year Cash Flow Performance
- 13:42 AI as Operational Efficiency and Cultural Tool
- 16:30 Hotel Development: Location, Operations, and Brand Selection
- 22:43 Obtainable Housing as Site Derisking and Approval Accelerator
- 28:13 Immigration and Supply Cycles Shape 2026-2028 Market Inflection
- 32:27 Rising Transaction Costs Reshape Homeownership and Rental Demand
- 38:44 Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts
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