How master-planned communities can redefine Canadian living

Master-planned communities are an increasingly appealing investment for both developers and residents in response to Canada’s rising home values, urban densification and the demand for sustainable, car-optional lifestyles.

These large-scale, mixed-use developments are designed for luxury and convenience by offering housing, schools, health care, shopping and recreation in a seamless, self-contained neighbourhood.

By combining luxury, convenience and sustainability, master-planned communities address evolving demands for modern housing, vibrant public spaces and transit connectivity—all while driving investment in the built environment.

Beyond appealing to homebuyers and renters looking for future-forward housing options, these communities can entice developers and investors due to their resilience against market fluctuations, which also highlights the value of strategic partnerships. Canadian policymakers and urban planners can look to these communities for critical strategies to address housing shortages, promote urban densification and foster sustainable living.

As transit-oriented variations of these developments take hold globally, here is a look at how master-planned communities like The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby, B.C., and The Well in Toronto are helping redefine urban and suburban life.

Demand- and price-resilient

Demand for luxury living prevails in Canada despite immigration cuts and other restrictions. Rising home values across the country create equity for homeowners, enabling interested owners to downsize and relocate to master-planned communities designed for modern living.

With Canada’s foreign-ownership ban extended to Jan. 1, 2027, these developments are adapting to domestic market demand by incorporating both condos and luxury rental options.

Master-planned communities are redefining housing choices for a changing Canadian population. With a long tradition of such developments in China—where housing reforms since 1998 have made them the norm—many newcomers seek to replicate a similar lifestyle in Canada.

Canadian developers are embracing this demand, driving densification and positioning these communities as a cornerstone of world-class city building.

From density to connectivity

While The Well boosts density in Toronto, a key ingredient for a thriving metropolis, The Amazing Brentwood showcases the power of transit-oriented growth, fostering sustainable urban expansion.

With Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrain just steps away, residents can embrace a car-optional lifestyle and be downtown in just 30 minutes. As more cities grow along transit corridors, they lay the foundation for efficient, sustainable and deeply connected urban living.

The challenge, however, lies in scalability. While these projects set the gold standard for integrated urban development and year-round usability, replicating this success across Canada’s diverse urban areas will require innovative solutions to adapt these principles to different contexts and partnerships.

Partnerships drive success 

The Well and The Amazing Brentwood highlight the transformative power of collaboration in real estate development.

Both demonstrate how multidisciplinary partnerships can adeptly navigate the complexities of large-scale projects. The Well is a joint venture between RioCan REIT and Allied Properties REIT, while The Amazing Brentwood is a co-venture of SHAPE and the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).

Master-planned communities often require adaptability and the integration of evolving partners across trades, as the process from vision through completion can span more than a decade. By pooling resources, expertise and creative vision, these collaborations can become the cornerstone of delivering landmark projects with enduring impact.

Beyond the role of equity partners, community partners are integral to the success of these developments. Partnering with tenants to host shops and plaza events, as well as collaborating with local municipalities and industry organizations, helps drive community engagement. These initiatives strengthen relationships and create vibrant spaces that benefit both the community and stakeholders.

Thinking globally

Mixed-use developments are gaining traction worldwide as a strategic response to evolving urban needs and preferences, like with the growth of the United Kingdom’s food-to-go market.

According to research by Lumina Intelligence, this market is expected to surge 3.5 per cent in 2024 and reach a value of £23 billion—an increase of 9.3 per cent over pre-pandemic levels. The synergistic environment of master-planned communities, which focuses on lifestyle and convenience, is catering to this emerging need in the U.K., according to CoStar Group.

Elsewhere in Europe, a mixed-use complex near Paris leased out its office space at a record pace—with nearly 90 per cent of its 9,000 square meters leased just months after its completion, according to CoStar. These developments foster accessibility and convenience, leading to quicker lease absorption rates and long-term tenant satisfaction.

As Canadian developers, officials and residents consider the future of living arrangements, embracing the global trend that has already achieved impressive results in Toronto and Metro Vancouver offers an opportunity to fuse innovation and comfort in a sensible, sustainable community space.

RSM Canada’s Ruji Feng contributed to this article.