Espace Montréal Podcast

Espace Montréal is proud to introduce its brand-new podcast dedicated to commercial real estate and urban development in the city. Each episode will feature exclusive conversations with developers, investors, brokers, and decision-makers shaping Montréal’s property market. From the evolution of office and retail to industrial and residential trends, we’ll bring insights directly from the people driving the future of the city. Tune in to gain fresh perspectives and stay at the center of Montréal’s commercial real estate scene.

Comment 40 Net Zero redéfinit l’immobilier industriel à Montréal | Ugo Cianciulli (Loracon) 05/22/2026

Comment 40 Net Zero redéfinit l’immobilier industriel à Montréal | Ugo Cianciulli (Loracon) Dans cet épisode d’Espace Montréal Podcast, Axel Monsaingeon reçoit Ugo Cianciulli, directeur immobilier chez Loracon, pour discuter du développement du projet 40 Net Zero, un campus industriel durable de nouvelle génération dans l’est de Montréal. Depuis plusieurs années, Ugo pilote tout le volet location et stratégie immobilière du portefeuille industriel de Loracon, incluant le développement majeur du 40 Net Zero. Ensemble, ils explorent les défis du développement industriel moderne : recrutement de talents, mobilité, infrastructures durables, certifications environnementales, efficacité énergétique et évolution des besoins des locataires industriels. Ugo explique aussi pourquoi le modèle traditionnel des parcs industriels est dépassé et comment 40 Net Zero veut créer un véritable écosystème industriel axé sur l’humain, la logistique et la durabilité. Un épisode essentiel pour tous les professionnels de l’immobilier commercial, industriel et du développement urbain au Québec. Sujets et horodatages 🏗️ Présentation du projet 40 Net Zero (00:01:20) 📦 Le premier bâtiment livré pour Medline Canada (00:03:09) 🚧 Les prochains bâtiments industriels en construction (00:04:01) 🌱 Pourquoi Loracon parle d’un “campus industriel” (00:06:03) ♻️ Certifications LEED et vision durable du projet (00:07:38) 🦅 Biodiversité et protection des oiseaux (00:08:39) 💧 Gestion des eaux et infrastructures vertes (00:09:02) 🚲 Mobilité et expérience employé sur le campus (00:10:11) 🏀 Le pavillon de 15 000 pi² pour les locataires (00:10:35) 👥 Capital humain, recrutement et rétention des talents (00:11:28) 🏙️ Vision 2050 et transformation de l’est de Montréal (00:12:26) 🚇 Transport collectif et accessibilité du site (00:14:28) 🏢 Les prochaines phases du développement (00:15:15) 🛡️ Les opportunités liées au secteur de la défense (00:16:02) 🏭 L’avenir du manufacturier au Québec (00:17:06) ⚡ Technologies industrielles et efficacité énergétique (00:23:06) 🌪️ Résilience des bâtiments face aux changements climatiques (00:24:43) 📈 Pourquoi les entreprises recherchent des campus industriels modernes (00:26:05) 🔗 Connectez-vous avec Ugo Cianciulli 💼 LinkedIn: 🏢 4oNetZero: 🏢LORACON: 👤Suivez Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explorez plus de ressources 📊 Guides de marché, données et opportunités publicitaires: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/41396020

Comment structurer une transaction immobilière complexe de 287 logements malgré les taux élevés 05/15/2026

Comment structurer une transaction immobilière complexe de 287 logements malgré les taux élevés Dans cet épisode d’Espace Montréal, Axel Monsaingeon reçoit Patrick Beaulé, vice-président exécutif chez CBRE, pour décortiquer une transaction immobilière particulièrement complexe à Candiac : un projet multirésidentiel de 287 logements vendu en pleine construction, avec plusieurs phases, financement SCHL, stabilisation incomplète et négociations entre vendeur, acheteur, prêteurs et entrepreneurs. Patrick partage les coulisses d’un deal de plus d’un an où chaque détail comptait : subdivision de terrain, vente sur plan, conversion condo vers locatif, gestion du risque, financement à taux fixe, absorption locative difficile et négociation collaborative entre les parties. Un épisode rempli de leçons concrètes pour les promoteurs, investisseurs et courtiers immobiliers qui veulent comprendre comment naviguer les transactions complexes dans le marché actuel. Sujets et horodatages 🏗️ Présentation du projet de Candiac (00:03:38) 🚧 Vente d’un projet en pleine construction (00:04:02) 📐 Pourquoi subdiviser un terrain avant de vendre (00:05:07) ⚖️ Les enjeux juridiques des ensembles immobiliers (00:06:18) 🅿️ Gestion des stationnements et tréfonds (00:07:15) 🏢 Passer d’un projet condo à locatif (00:08:30) 💰 Financement SCHL et points d’abordabilité (00:09:16) 🤝 Structurer une vente stabilisée clé en main (00:13:04) 📉 Impact des taux d’intérêt sur la transaction (00:15:20) 📊 Pourquoi la stabilisation locative est plus difficile aujourd’hui (00:16:55) 🏗️ Début des travaux avant la signature notariée (00:19:07) 🧠 Gestion des émotions et du “deal fatigue” (00:21:37) 📈 Opportunités actuelles dans le multilogement neuf (00:24:24) 🔥 Les meilleurs conseils de Patrick aux jeunes courtiers (00:22:47) 🔗 Connectez-vous avec Patrick Beaulé 💼 LinkedIn: 🏢 CBRE: 👤Suivez Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explorez plus de ressources 📊 Guides de marché, données et opportunités publicitaires: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/41307275

Comment l’IA transforme l’investissement immobilier au Québec | Leads, data et intelligence de marché avec Maxime Legault 05/08/2026

Comment l’IA transforme l’investissement immobilier au Québec | Leads, data et intelligence de marché avec Maxime Legault Dans cet épisode, Axel Monsaingeon reçoit Maxime Legault, investisseur immobilier et fondateur de Virec, une entreprise spécialisée en intelligence artificielle et en analyse de données immobilières. Ensemble, ils discutent de l’évolution du marché immobilier grâce à l’IA, de l’importance de transformer les données en intelligence de marché actionable et de la façon dont investisseurs, courtiers et équipes d’acquisition peuvent prendre de meilleures décisions grâce à des systèmes de données intelligents. Maxime partage également son parcours d’investisseur, de son premier achat résidentiel jusqu’au développement d’outils d’intelligence immobilière capables d’identifier vendeurs actifs, acheteurs potentiels et opportunités cachées dans le marché. Une conversation essentielle pour tous ceux qui veulent comprendre comment l’IA révolutionne l’immobilier commercial et multirésidentiel au Québec et ailleurs. Sujets et horodatages 🏠 Débuter en investissement immobilier (00:01:51) 📈 Passer du résidentiel au multilogement (00:02:18) 🧠 Pourquoi l’information est devenue essentielle en immobilier (00:02:58) 🚗 Trouver des immeubles à vendre avant l’IA (00:05:34) 📊 Transformer des données en intelligence de marché (00:09:32) 🎯 Générer des leads immobiliers qualifiés (00:11:10) 🏢 Comment Virée aide courtiers et investisseurs (00:13:22) 🌎 Comparer les marchés Québec vs États-Unis (00:17:16) 🤖 L’impact réel de l’intelligence artificielle (00:22:05) 🚀 Démocratiser l’accès aux données immobilières (00:25:36) 💼 Construire un CRM immobilier intelligent (00:26:06) 🔎 Comment tester la plateforme Virée (00:28:00) 🔗 Connectez-vous avec Maxime Legault 🏢 VIREC: 👤Suivez Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explorez plus de ressources 📊 Guides de marché, données et opportunités publicitaires: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/41215760

Why Real Estate Deals Are Breaking Today and How Smart Investors Are Winning Anyway 05/01/2026

From $16K Homes to Billion-Dollar Developments: How Broccolini Navigates Today’s Real Estate Crisis 04/24/2026

From $16K Homes to Billion-Dollar Developments: How Broccolini Navigates Today’s Real Estate Crisis In this episode, Axel sits down with Michael Broccolini to break down how one of Montreal’s most influential real estate families evolved from building single homes to shaping entire skylines. They dive into the realities of today’s market, from rising interest rates and frozen condo launches to shifting immigration policies and their impact on housing demand. Michael shares how Broccolini is adapting its strategy by moving away from speculation, doubling down on rental housing, and expanding into new asset classes like self-storage, retail, and data centers. This conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how top developers think in uncertain markets, how they manage risk at scale, and where the biggest opportunities lie over the next decade. Topics and timestamps 🏗️ Origins of Broccolini and early growth (00:01:55) 📈 From homebuilding to large-scale development (00:02:43) 👷 Learning the business from construction sites (00:03:20) 🏙️ New Griffintown projects and urban densification (00:05:01) ⏳ Why real estate approvals and timelines are getting longer (00:06:21) 🇨🇦 Canada vs Ontario development challenges (00:06:44) 📉 Impact of interest rates and immigration on housing (00:07:17) 🏢 Why condo development has slowed dramatically (00:08:38) 🧠 The long-term thesis behind building in a down market (00:08:45) 🏭 Construction strategy and third-party development (00:10:31) 📦 Industrial real estate and the risks of building on spec (00:12:08) 🔄 Strategic shift toward rentals and diversification (00:14:24) 🛒 New retail strategy and grocery-anchored centers (00:15:04) 📦 Self-storage growth and partnership strategy (00:15:48) ⚡ Data centers and Quebec’s power limitations (00:17:42) 💰 Raising $2B and scaling with institutional capital (00:21:09) 🚀 Vision to double the business and expand asset management (00:22:10) 🤝 Giving back and the responsibility of developers (00:22:47) 🔗Connect with Michael Broccolini 💼 LinkedIn: 🏢 BROCCOLINI: 👤Follow Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explore more resources 📊 Market guides, data, and advertising opportunities: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/41003680

Live from the Montreal Real Estate Forum 2026: Industrial Panel: Market Trends, Capital & Development Strategy | BONUS EPISODE 04/20/2026

Pourquoi les projets immobiliers BLOQUENT au Québec en 2025 (financement, villes, marché) 04/17/2026

Why Industrial Real Estate Still Wins in 2026 (Despite Rising Costs & Market Shifts) 04/10/2026

Les secrets de la gestion d’actifs immobiliers: maximiser la valeur de l’acquisition à la vente 04/03/2026

How to Close $60M Deals Without a Track Record in Real Estate 03/27/2026

Why Office Demand Is Returning in Montreal CRE | Avison Young’s Patrick Laurin on Talent, Leadership and the Future of Work 03/20/2026

Why Office Demand Is Returning in Montreal CRE | Avison Young’s Patrick Laurin on Talent, Leadership and the Future of Work In this episode, Axel Monsaingeon sits down with Patrick Laurin, Principal and President for Quebec at Avison Young, to discuss the evolving landscape of commercial real estate in Montreal. Patrick shares his journey from junior broker to leading Quebec operations at one of the world's largest brokerage firms and explains how leadership, culture, and collaboration shape high performing real estate teams. They explore the ongoing return to the office, the differences between public and private sector workplace strategies, and why companies are once again planning office space around peak occupancy. Patrick also shares insights on attracting and retaining top brokerage talent, the impact of rising construction costs on office decisions, and how AI is beginning to transform brokerage operations while raising new questions around data security. This conversation offers a behind the scenes look at leadership, market dynamics, and the future of work in Montreal’s commercial real estate sector. Topics and timestamps 🏢 Patrick Laurin’s path into commercial real estate (00:01:03) 📈 Building a career from junior broker to Quebec President (00:02:27) 🏙️ Montreal office market demand after the pandemic (00:05:49) 🏦 Why banks and private companies are pushing return to office (00:06:00) 🏛️ Government challenges with office space and hybrid work (00:07:03) 📊 Why companies now plan office space around peak occupancy (00:13:25) 👨‍👦 Working in a multi generational real estate business (00:15:14) 🤝 How Avison Young attracts and retains top brokerage talent (00:19:06) 🤖 AI tools and efficiency opportunities for commercial brokers (00:21:17) 🔒 Data security risks and challenges with AI adoption (00:22:06) 🚀 The future growth strategy for Avison Young in Montreal (00:24:16) 🔗Connect with Patrick Laurin 💼 LinkedIn: 🏢 Avison Young: 👤Follow Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explore more resources 📊 Market guides, data, and advertising opportunities: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/40557715

Commercial Real Estate in Montreal: How to Survive a Tougher Market with Paul-Éric Poitras 03/13/2026

How Information, Data and Industry Connections Shape the Real Estate Market in Quebec 03/06/2026

Logement abordable à Montréal: Comment Angus recrée des quartiers et protège les loyers du marché 02/27/2026

Quebec Rent Increases Just Changed: The 2026 Calculation, CPI, CapEx, and How to Avoid Costly Mistakes 02/20/2026

Quebec Rent Increases Just Changed: The 2026 Calculation, CPI, CapEx, and How to Avoid Costly Mistakes Rent increases in Quebec just got a major overhaul for the first time in decades, and this renewal season is the first real test. In this episode, sits down with to break down what changed, what stayed the same, and where landlords and operators can get burned if their bookkeeping is not airtight. You will learn how the new framework uses a three year rolling CPI average, how capital expenses can now play a bigger role in allowable increases, and why taxes and insurance only help you when they rise faster than CPI. Cory also explains the real world problem behind the reform, the TAL backlog, and why today’s leasing market makes renewals more strategic than ever. If you manage multifamily in Quebec, this is the renewal playbook to stay compliant, protect cash flow, and avoid expensive turnover. Topics & Timestamps 📌 Why Quebec changed rent increase rules after 40+ years (00:01:55) 🧾 How the old rent increase calculation worked (00:05:31) 📉 The new CPI based approach and why it smooths volatility (00:06:27) 🏗️ CapEx now counts differently and why it matters for older buildings (00:07:21) 🧮 The unit by unit math that makes this harder at scale (00:09:38) 📚 Bookkeeping and unit costing: the hidden advantage in renewal season (00:11:09) 🧾 Taxes and insurance: when they actually increase your allowable rent hike (00:12:41) 📊 Where rent increase trends go from here and what macro forces matter more (00:14:11) 🏢 New construction reality: retention issues, promo hoppers, and vacancy pressure (00:18:48) 🛠️ Ops vs accounting: why renewals break when systems are disconnected (00:24:40) 🚀 Building Compass and scaling a Canadian property management platform (00:24:14) 🔗 Connect with Cory Friedman 💼 LinkedIn: 🏢 Kompas: 👤 Follow Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explore more resources 📊 Market guides, data, and advertising opportunities: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/40175005

How to Survive with 18% Office Vacancy in Montreal | Concrete Strategies for Property Owners with Laurence Binette 02/13/2026

Is the Montreal Office Market Really Making a Comeback? What the Numbers Don’t Tell You 02/06/2026

Royalmount’s Comeback: The Leasing Playbook Behind Montreal’s Fastest Retail Turnaround 01/30/2026

Royalmount’s Comeback: The Leasing Playbook Behind Montreal’s Fastest Retail Turnaround Royalmount is not just “doing fine” it is accelerating. In this episode sits down with , Partner at and SVP Leasing, to break down what actually drives a successful mixed use destination in Montreal. They explore how consumer habits are changed, why occupancy momentum matters more than first month headlines, and how the right tenant mix, events, and access strategy can reposition an asset quickly. You will hear the measurable results behind the Royalmount lease up, the expansion logic for phase two retail, why a hotel on site makes sense, and how Class A office demand is being reshaped by commute patterns and lifestyle convenience. If you work in development, leasing, investment, or brokerage, this conversation is a masterclass in building durable demand through placemaking and long term vision. Topics & Timestamps 🔹 What Carbonleo is and why they build disruptive projects (00:01:49) 🏗️ Quartier DIX30 repositioning: occupancy, tenant mix, and value creation (00:04:03) 🚆 Why residential is the missing piece and how REM access changes everything (00:05:28) 🧠 Master plan thinking: DIX30 vs Royalmount and why cohesion matters (00:07:20) 📈 Royalmount performance story: sales growth, traffic, and lease up from 36% to 90% (00:09:16) 🎉 Events and social strategy: building habit and destination energy (00:12:02) 🛍️ Phase two retail expansion: what is missing and how growth gets planned (00:13:21) 🏨 Hotel opportunity: brand selection, operator strategy, and why the site wins (00:15:23) 🏢 Office demand shift: Class A, deal terms, and the commute advantage vs downtown (00:16:30) 💎 Luxury perception vs reality: why the project is more accessible than people think (00:21:12) 🏘️ Residential rezoning: density, downsizers, and solving a real market gap (00:23:16) 🔗 Connect with Michael Stroll 💼 LinkedIn: 🏢 CARBONLEO: 👤 Follow Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explore more resources 📊 Market guides, data, and advertising opportunities: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/39928775

How to Build a $1.2B REIT from Scratch — Lessons from BTB’s Founder 01/23/2026

Why Buyers and Sellers Finally Moved in 2025, and What’s Next for Quebec CRE 01/16/2026

Why Buyers and Sellers Finally Moved in 2025, and What’s Next for Quebec CRE Quebec’s commercial real estate market has changed fast, and the old “local only” playbook does not hold up anymore. , partner at , joins to unpack what appraisers are seeing before the headlines: how developers now chase opportunities across the province, why 2024 felt frozen, and what shifted in 2025 to bring buyers and sellers closer together. Louis also shares the real story behind PDG’s roots coming out of Desjardins, how the firm grew through acquisitions and mergers, and why a merger has to be “1 + 1 = 3” or it is not worth doing. They dig into PDG’s full-service model from valuation and property management to tax appeals, litigation support, and expropriation tied to major projects like the REM and the Blue Line extension. Louis closes with what PDG is building for 2026, including a refreshed brand and a bigger push to share market insights, plus why comparing cap rates is often harder than people think. Topics & Timestamps 🗺️ The market is not local anymore: developers go wherever opportunity is (00:00:00) 🧬 HPDG’s “DNA”: staying close to clients from market study to asset management (00:01:13) 🏦 Origin story: Desjardins, the 90s crash, and how HPDG was formed (00:02:06) 📈 Growth strategy: the 2018 merger and expansion through acquisitions (00:04:02) 🏢 How property management started: from crisis cycles to condo management (00:06:25) 🧾 Beyond financing valuations: tax appeal work and investor support A to Z (00:08:18) ⚖️ Litigation support and expropriation: REM and Blue Line context (00:09:35) 🧠 Expropriation valuation is different and the law has changed (00:10:58) 🚀 Entrepreneurship is not linear: expanding services across Quebec (00:11:41) 🤝 Merger mantra: “1 + 1 has to equal 3”, and why they ended a merger (00:12:55) 📊 What changed in 2025: market rebound and buyer-seller gap narrowing (00:16:40) 🏙️ Where deals are happening: multi, office, industrial shifting behavior (00:17:30) 🏗️ Office market reality: towers, notable deals, and transactions not announced yet (00:18:38) 🔄 2026 plans: rebrand + sharing more market insights and data (00:20:59) 🍎🍎 Cap rates “apples to apples” problem and confidentiality constraints (00:23:26) 🌐 Best way to contact HPDG: website and LinkedIn (00:24:17) 🔗 Connect with Louis Bergeron 💼 LinkedIn:🏢 Avison Young: 👤 Follow Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explore more resources 📊 Market guides, data, and advertising opportunities: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/39758665

Montreal CRE 2026 Outlook: Office Comeback, AI, Housing Policy, and Where Capital Is Moving 01/09/2026

Montreal CRE 2026 Outlook: Office Comeback, AI, Housing Policy, and Where Capital Is Moving Montreal commercial real estate is entering 2026 with a very different set of tailwinds and constraints. In this episode, Axel Monsaingeon sits down with James Papadimitriou, Senior Partner at and a long-time governance leader, to unpack what is actually changing beneath the headlines. They cover why “alternative” real estate is increasingly an operating business (hotels, senior living, data centers, student housing), how AI and automation could reshape industrial and construction productivity, and what programs like Canada Builds Homes could mean for financing, land, and delivery speed. They also dig into the macro shifts that matter for Montreal: defense and infrastructure momentum, immigration resets and rental dynamics, the return of in-person work and what that does to Class A office, and why boring and stable is still Canada’s biggest advantage for global capital. Expect a grounded, optimistic, long-term lens on where the puck is going and how to position for it. Topics & Timestamps 🎙️ Intro and James’ path to leading in real estate law and governance (01:03) 🤝 Relationship advantage: empathy, humility, and understanding counterparties (02:31) 🏨 Alternative assets surge: senior living, hotels, data centers, student housing (03:50) 🧠 “Stay calm and carry on”: cycles, resilience, and the long game in CRE (05:25) 🤖 AI and robotics: legal guardrails, industrial automation, “dark factories” (07:39) 🏗️ Why construction still lags, and what prefab could finally unlock (10:18) 🏠 Housing urgency and delivery: what Canada Builds Homes is trying to solve (12:05) 🧩 Canada Builds Homes toolkit: land, loan guarantees, lending, partnerships (13:05) 🛡️ Defense and infrastructure: where Montreal-area real estate opportunities may emerge (15:58) 🌎 Immigration reset, rent plateaus, and the pendulum effect (18:55) 🏢 2026 theme: the return of office and the value of in-person community (20:36) 🚆 Transit and downtown recovery: REM, foot traffic, and the payoff of disruption (22:36) 💰 Foreign capital and “vibe vs fundamentals”: why investors never really left (24:55) ⚡ Canada’s edge: energy, resources, and renewed confidence (27:28) 🔗 Connect with James Papadimitriou 💼 LinkedIn:🏢 Avison Young: 👤 Follow Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explore more resources 📊 Market guides, data, and advertising opportunities: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/39664405

Persist to 2026: Why Net Lease Real Estate Is Winning in an Uncertain Market 01/02/2026

Persist to 2026: Why Net Lease Real Estate Is Winning in an Uncertain Market The commercial real estate recovery everyone expected in 2025 did not arrive. Instead, investors are being forced to rethink risk, cash flow, and capital allocation heading into 2026. In this episode of the Espace Montreal Podcast, Axel Monsaingeon speaks with Marie-Claire Laflamme-Sanders, Senior Vice President and Practice Lead within ’s Québec Capital Markets Team, about why net lease real estate has become one of the most resilient investment strategies in today’s uncertain market. Drawing on insights from the Toronto Real Estate Forum and active transactions across Canada, Marie-Claire explains how investors are pricing stability, why single-tenant assets are back in favor, and how net leases function as a hybrid between real estate and corporate bonds. The conversation also covers the return of interest in office real estate, the rise of sale-leaseback transactions as companies unlock capital, and why Montreal continues to attract both private and institutional investors despite ongoing political and economic headwinds. This episode offers a grounded, real-world look at how sophisticated investors are protecting cash flow and positioning portfolios for the next phase of the cycle. Topics & Timestamps 🎙️ Net lease real estate, and why it matters right now (intro) 01:03 📉 “Survive to 2025” becomes “Persist to 2026” after early-year shocks 01:55 🇨🇦 Market reaction: tariffs, immigration slowdown, and a new operating reality 03:11 ⏸️➡️▶️ Pens were down, now deals are moving again 05:18 🏢 What a net lease is (single tenant, triple net, expenses passed through) 06:51 🛡️ Why net lease wins in volatility: stability, inflation protection, bond-like cash flow 07:28 📈 Why demand for net lease increased in the last 12–18 months 09:04 ⚖️ The big risk and the real framework: tenant covenant vs real estate quality 11:06 📉➡️🏢 Sale-leasebacks explained: why companies sell and lease back their buildings 12:38 📆 How long sale-leaseback leases need to be (10–15 years, often 20+) 13:52 🏦 Who buys net lease assets: institutions vs family offices and privates 14:12 🍔 Net lease in small markets: QSR portfolios, recyclability, and why they sell well 15:22 🏢 Office resurgence: lease rollovers, return-to-work, and the “flight to quality” 17:17 🚫 “We could not use the word office” and how that narrative is changing 19:08 🏙️ Deloitte Tower and what a Class A trade could benchmark in Montreal 20:29 💰 Montreal’s buyer depth: why big private capital steps up locally 21:45 🧠 Quebec perception gap: language, politics, tenant culture, and investor education 23:16 👋 Wrap and how to connect with Marie-Claire and the team 25:01 🔗 Connect with Marie-Claire Laflamme-Sanders 💼 LinkedIn: 🏢 Avison Young: 👤 Follow Axel Monsaingeon 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: 🌐 Explore more resources 📊 Market guides, data, and advertising opportunities: /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/39589430

Commercial Real Estate in Quebec Is Splitting Into Winners and Losers: What 2026 Will Reward 12/26/2025

Commercial Real Estate in Quebec Is Splitting Into Winners and Losers: What 2026 Will Reward 2025 was a turning point for Quebec commercial real estate, and the gap between winners and losers is getting wider. In this end-of-year conversation, Axel Monsaingeon sits down with Andrew Cross to unpack what actually shifted across office, retail, and industrial, and what smart owners, investors, and tenants should watch as 2026 begins. They talk about why strong malls keep winning despite the e-commerce narrative, why lower-tier office stock is being forced into conversion or repositioning, and how innovation like automation and robotics is reshaping industrial demand. The episode also previews what Espace Montreal is building next: a bigger platform for market intelligence, bilingual coverage that travels beyond Quebec, and upcoming editorial themes including energy assessments that could impact transactions and unlock major retrofit opportunities. Topics & Timestamps 🎄 Christmas episode and why 2025 mattered (00:00) 📈 Espace momentum: 35 years, best year in publishing, and why podcasting changed the game (00:45) 🏢 Office market reset: strength returning at the top, bottom falling away, conversions and upgrades (02:25) 🛍️ Retail’s reality check: foot traffic, “winners vs losers,” and why people still shop in person (03:55) 🌟 Royalmount, mega luxury, and destination-making in Montreal retail (04:35) 🧩 South Shore and regional mall moves: changing hands, changing strategy (05:40) 📰 What’s coming in the magazine: Q4 highlights and Q1 focus on downtown office (06:45) ⚡ Energy assessments in transactions: what’s changing and the retrofit opportunity (08:05) 🧠 Building Espace as a full real estate media company: contributors, research, and new formats (10:00) 🌍 Why bilingual coverage matters: serving Montreal, Toronto, and New York audiences (12:15) 📍 Quebec City spotlight: Stephane Dion and the pulse of the market (13:45) 📬 Subscriptions and access: how to get a copy and get involved (15:10) 🖨️ Print vs digital: why the hard copy still wins in real estate offices (16:35) 🚀 2026 vision: becoming Quebec’s #1 real estate media platform, plus closing shout-outs (18:55) Andrew Cross’ LinkedIn: Follow Axel Monsaingeon: Visit for more resources, market guides, data, and advertising opportunities /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/39536395

Retail Is Back in Quebec: What’s Driving Near-Zero Vacancy and the Mixed-Use Shift 12/19/2025

Redeveloping Carrefour Laval Into a Mixed Use District (Parking, Transit, ESG, Returns) 12/12/2025

The Flight to Quality in Downtown Montreal’s Office Market with Lloyd Cooper 12/05/2025

The Flight to Quality in Downtown Montreal’s Office Market with Lloyd Cooper In this episode of the Espace Montreal Podcast, sits down with , Executive Vice Chair at , to unpack the new era of downtown Montreal’s office market. With 40 years in the business and over 4,000 transactions under his belt, Lloyd explains why 2025 is a record year for office leasing, why work-from-home and hybrid models are being pushed back, and how a powerful “flight to quality” is reshaping which buildings win or lose. They dig into how law firms and banks are using high-end buildouts and rich amenity packages to attract top talent, why there is a critical shortage of true Triple-A space, and where the best redevelopment and mixed-use opportunities are emerging downtown. Lloyd also shares his take on Montreal’s new administration, the importance of density and zoning flexibility, and how regulatory shifts, homelessness, and political uncertainty all play into investment decisions. If you want a clear, on-the-ground read of what’s really happening in Montreal’s office core—and where the next big towers should rise—this conversation is packed with insight. Topics & Timestamps ⏱️ 00:01:03 – Lloyd’s background & track record 📊 00:01:53 – 2025 deal volume & market activity 🏠 00:03:09 – Post-Covid office comeback & RTO 🧬 00:04:11 – Culture, mentoring & why WFH is slipping 🏢 00:05:27 – Flight to quality in office buildings 🧺 00:06:04 – Amenities as a magnet for talent 🏛️ 00:07:05 – Upgrading “old” Triple-A towers ⚖️ 00:09:29 – Law firms, big TI spend & slick offices 💸 00:14:09 – Triple-A rents, incentives & tenant leverage 📑 00:15:51 – Renewal strategy while waiting for new product 🏙️ 00:18:28 – New city administration & development tone 📐 00:21:16 – Zoning, density & mixed-use requirements 📍 00:26:00 – Key downtown development sites to watch 🧨 00:29:49 – Politics, uncertainty & “wait and see” 🎙️ 00:30:40 – Final takeaways on frustration & opportunity Lloyd’s LinkedIn: Web: If this conversation brought you value, share the episode with a colleague or friend in real estate who would benefit from Mike’s insights. It helps the show reach more people in the Montreal CRE community. Visit for more resources, market guides, data, and advertising opportunities /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/39287125

The Montreal Investment Playbook: Multi-Res & Land Opportunities with Colliers’ Joe Rullier 11/28/2025

The Montreal Investment Playbook: Multi-Res & Land Opportunities with Colliers’ Joe Rullier Over the last year, Montreal’s industrial market has gone from uncertainty to cautious Former pro hockey player turned top investment broker, Joe Rullier (Executive Vice President, Colliers), shares how he went from the NHL grind to building the #1 investment team in Canada and navigating one of the toughest markets Montreal has seen in years. In this episode, Joe breaks down how New York’s high-pressure investment world shaped his work ethic, why land deals have slowed, how he underwrites like a banker to make deals actually financeable, and where he sees real opportunity right now in Montreal’s multifamily and land markets. From CMHC delays to older stock repositioning, Joe explains the mindset, structure, and creativity investors need if they want to win in today’s environment instead of buying into “dream” pricing that never materializes. Topics & Timestamps ⏱ 00:01:03 – Welcome back to the Espace Montreal Podcast & intro to Joe Rullier 🏒 00:01:41 – From pro hockey career to New York commercial real estate 🏢 00:03:04 – Old-school New York training: 500 cold calls a week & outworking everyone 💼 00:06:54 – Moving back to Montreal, opening Cushman’s investment team & starting from zero 📉 00:09:25 – Why land transactions are down: rates, costs, CMHC and the “perfect storm” 🏗 00:10:56 – Apartment crisis vs. construction reality: why building is getting harder 📊 00:12:24 – Underwriting like a banker: structuring deals that lenders will actually finance 🎯 00:15:12 – Telling the truth on value vs. “selling the dream” and disappointing vendors 🔁 00:17:06 – Shifting asset classes: from land to multi-res and reading where the market is going 🏚 00:19:00 – The big opportunity in older multi-res (30–100 units) with upside & poor management 🔍 00:20:21 – Repositioning, optimization and dealing with private owners and messy paperwork 🏙 00:21:46 – Where Joe sees the next 3–5 years in Montreal: rentals, government support & density 📈 00:24:00 – Example of a 50-unit building reposition and why patience and team matter 👋 00:25:07 – Final thoughts, staying patient in Quebec’s sub-2% vacancy market & closing LinkedIn: Web: If this conversation brought you value, share the episode with a colleague or friend in real estate who would benefit from Mike’s insights. It helps the show reach more people in the Montreal CRE community. Visit for more resources, market guides, data, and advertising opportunities /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/39191955

How Rosefellow Is Navigating Montreal’s Industrial Slowdown and Scaling Into Multi-Res 11/21/2025

How Rosefellow Is Navigating Montreal’s Industrial Slowdown and Scaling Into Multi-Res Over the last year, Montreal’s industrial market has gone from uncertainty to cautious optimism. In this episode, Axel Monsaingeon sits down with Mike Jager, co-founder and co-president of Rosefellow, to break down how one of Quebec’s most active developers is navigating higher vacancies, tighter financing, and shifting tenant expectations—while quietly scaling into large-scale multi-residential projects. Mike explains why Class-A industrial still wins in soft markets, how Rosefellow stayed disciplined when everyone else was chasing deals, and what it really takes to raise and deploy multiple funds while keeping investors, banks, and tenants aligned. He also shares Rosefellow’s growing push into multi-residential in Quebec, Ontario, and the U.S., their data-driven approach to site selection, and why they’ve built a lean team that partners with “the best of the best” instead of trying to do everything in-house. The conversation wraps with Mike’s vision for giving back to the next generation, promoting women in construction, and staying grounded through market cycles. Topics & Timestamps 📌 01:10 – How the last 7 months reshaped Montreal’s industrial market 🏭 02:30 – Building on spec and designing for 80% of tenant demand 📉 03:45 – Early signs the cycle is turning: rates, tariffs & tenant confidence 🏗️ 07:15 – What modern tenants actually want (efficiency, clear heights, OpEx savings) 💸 08:00 – Tax incentives in Montreal & Laval—and how they reduce tenant costs ⭐ 09:50 – Why Class-A industrial still outperforms in softer markets 📊 10:35 – How Rosefellow structures its funds and targets 30% IRR conservatively 🏦 12:10 – Construction financing challenges and why banks still back their spec builds 🏙️ 15:25 – Returning to multi-res: land prices, construction costs & new opportunities 🌍 23:45 – Rosefellow’s next chapter: expansion across Canada, the U.S., and beyond Mike Jager on LinkedIn: Rosefellow web: If this conversation brought you value, share the episode with a colleague or friend in real estate who would benefit from Mike’s insights. It helps the show reach more people in the Montreal CRE community. Visit for more resources, market guides, data, and advertising opportunities /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/39119200

Montreal Isn’t Dying: Local Landlords, Downtown Pride & CRE Opportunities with Luciano D'Iorio 11/14/2025

Montreal Isn’t Dying: Local Landlords, Downtown Pride & CRE Opportunities with Luciano D'Iorio Is Montreal really “in decline”… or are we just stuck in a negative narrative? In this episode of The Espace Montreal Podcast, host Axel Monsaingeon talks with Luciano D'Iorio, Regional President of CDNGLOBAL Québec, about why he’s so relentlessly positive about Montreal’s future – and what he sees on the ground every day in commercial real estate. They dig into: The real stories behind downtown landmarks like Peel Street and the Sun Life Building How local landlord families went from one building to owning major downtown portfolios Why relationship-based ownership still matters more than AI, data and distant asset managers What makes it so hard to lose a good tenant—and so easy if you neglect them How small and medium businesses drive the downtown ecosystem Elections, policy, safety, homelessness and cleanliness as core CRE issues, not side topics The tension between heritage preservation and development (from churches to silos and conversions) If you’re in commercial real estate, urban planning, brokerage, investing or entrepreneurship and you care about downtown Montreal, this conversation will give you a nuanced, optimistic and practical perspective on where the city is headed – and how to create value in it. 📌 Timestamps 0:00 Montreal’s negativity problem & why Luciano started telling positive stories 3:45 Peel Street, the NHL, Sun Life Building legends & downtown fun facts 8:00 Local landlord families, long-term portfolios & relationship-based leasing 13:30 Tenants, employees and the “upmarket” office race 17:10 Elections, downtown priorities & building a business-friendly Montreal 21:40 Pride, cleanliness, safety and the “broken windows” effect 24:30 Heritage vs development: churches, silos and conversions 25:50 Why real estate is the most dynamic “static” asset class 29:00 Final thoughts: why you should still bet on Montreal Get in touch with Luciano D'Iorio on and . Visit for more resources, market guides, data, and advertising opportunities. /episode/index/show/realestateeffect/id/39027950

The Self-Storage Playbook: Drive-Thru Design, Smart Lease-Ups & Class-A Growth (w/ Robert Vineberg, Pandora) 11/07/2025

Espace Montréal Podcast

TOPICS