In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron and Adam interview Matt Young, President and CEO of Republic Developments, a Toronto-based city builder focused on creating transformative communities that enrich the lives of those who live, work, and play together.
Join us as we discuss Matt’s journey in commercial real estate, his decision to start his own company, and the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Matt shares his experiences with the city planning process and stresses the importance of presenting a clear vision for a project for quick approvals. The conversation also touches on financing and capital raising for new real estate projects and the impact of interest rates on the real estate market, particularly the condo sector. Matt highlights the need for various amenities and attractions to draw people to a community.
Topics covered include:
- Matt Young’s Journey in Commercial Real Estate
- Building Industry Experience
- Starting Republic Developments
- The Nuts and Bolts of Developing a Large-Scale Project
- Negotiating City Planning and Raising Capital for Projects
- Impact of Interest Rates on the Real Estate Market and Condos
- Strategies for Creating Vibrant Communities
- Incorporating Psychology and Sociology in Design
- The need for Design Flexibility and Incorporating Technology in New Projects
More about our guest…
Matt founded Republic in 2019 after a 10-year career helping to grow some of Canada’s largest development firms. Matt is responsible for the oversight and management of Republic and remains focused on project development, acquisitions, human resources, and capital-raising activities.
With 14 years of experience in the real estate development industry, Matt has built a track record of executional excellence, having managed the development of over 15,000 units to date representing approximately 12.2 million square feet and a development value of over 13.5 billion dollars.
Prior to founding Republic, Matt was VP of Development at Capital Developments, where he led all development activities for over seven years and helped grow the business from a start-up builder into one of Toronto’s preeminent development organisations.
Matt is an avid cyclist and the co-founder of UNC (United Nation of Cyclists), a cycling club and racing team dedicated to growing the sport by creating a more inclusive, diverse, and welcoming rider environment. He also sits on the real estate committee for the SHN Foundation, which supports the Love Scarborough campaign, and the fundraising committee for the Hold Em’ For Life charity challenge.
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