Daily insights for city builders. Published since 2013 by Toronto-based real estate developer Brandon Donnelly.
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Daily insights for city builders. Published since 2013 by Toronto-based real estate developer Brandon Donnelly.
Brandon DonnellyCanada must become a global superpower
The silver lining to the US starting a trade war with Canada and regularly threatening annexation is that it has forced this country out of complacency. Indeed, I'm hard pressed to remember a time, at least in my lifetime, when patriotism and nationalism has united so much of Canada. According to a recent survey by Angus Reid, the percentage of Canadians expressing a "deep emotional attachment" to the country jumped from 49% in December 2024 to 59% in February 2025. And as further evidence of...
Brandon DonnellyThe bank robbery capital of the world
Between 1985 and 1995, Los Angeles' retail bank branches were robbed some 17,106 times. In 1992, which was the the city's worst year for robberies, the number was 2,641. This roughly translated into about one bank robbery every 45 minutes of each banking day. All of this, according to this CrimeReads piece by Peter Houlahan, gave Los Angeles the dubious title of "The Bank Robbery Capital of the World" during this time period. So what caused this? Well according to Peter it was facil...
Brandon DonnellyThe story behind those pixelated video game mosaics in Paris
If you've ever been to Paris, you've probably noticed the small pixelated art pieces that are scattered all around the city on buildings and various other hard surfaces. Or maybe you haven't seen or noticed them in Paris, but you've seen similarly pixelated mosaics in one of the other 79 cities around the world where they can be found. Or maybe you have no idea what I'm talking about right now. Huh? Here's an example from Bolivia (click here if you can't see...
Brandon DonnellyCanada must become a global superpower
The silver lining to the US starting a trade war with Canada and regularly threatening annexation is that it has forced this country out of complacency. Indeed, I'm hard pressed to remember a time, at least in my lifetime, when patriotism and nationalism has united so much of Canada. According to a recent survey by Angus Reid, the percentage of Canadians expressing a "deep emotional attachment" to the country jumped from 49% in December 2024 to 59% in February 2025. And as further evidence of...
Brandon DonnellyThe bank robbery capital of the world
Between 1985 and 1995, Los Angeles' retail bank branches were robbed some 17,106 times. In 1992, which was the the city's worst year for robberies, the number was 2,641. This roughly translated into about one bank robbery every 45 minutes of each banking day. All of this, according to this CrimeReads piece by Peter Houlahan, gave Los Angeles the dubious title of "The Bank Robbery Capital of the World" during this time period. So what caused this? Well according to Peter it was facil...
Brandon DonnellyThe story behind those pixelated video game mosaics in Paris
If you've ever been to Paris, you've probably noticed the small pixelated art pieces that are scattered all around the city on buildings and various other hard surfaces. Or maybe you haven't seen or noticed them in Paris, but you've seen similarly pixelated mosaics in one of the other 79 cities around the world where they can be found. Or maybe you have no idea what I'm talking about right now. Huh? Here's an example from Bolivia (click here if you can't see...
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Brandon DonnellyToronto’s first condo replacement project
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Brandon DonnellyToronto’s first condo replacement project
Last month a deal here in Toronto caught my attention because of how rare it is.
It was the sale 39-41 Roehampton Avenue as a development site for a new (proposed) 48 storey condo tower. What’s unique is that it’s being called the first ever “condo replacement” project in the city.
What that means is that the existing 27 unit condo building (built in the 80′s) was bought out (along with some other adjoining lands) and it will be replaced by a new condo tower.
In order for this to happen a minimum of 80% of the condo owners had to agree to the sale. According to Bisnow, the owners received approximately $550 per square foot, which is thought to be above market for the building (though well below market for new construction).
I wonder how many owners voted no. If everybody had voted yes, they probably would have mentioned 100% buy-in. I also wonder if this could mark the start of a wave of “condo replacement” projects.
Last month a deal here in Toronto caught my attention because of how rare it is.
It was the sale 39-41 Roehampton Avenue as a development site for a new (proposed) 48 storey condo tower. What’s unique is that it’s being called the first ever “condo replacement” project in the city.
What that means is that the existing 27 unit condo building (built in the 80′s) was bought out (along with some other adjoining lands) and it will be replaced by a new condo tower.
In order for this to happen a minimum of 80% of the condo owners had to agree to the sale. According to Bisnow, the owners received approximately $550 per square foot, which is thought to be above market for the building (though well below market for new construction).
I wonder how many owners voted no. If everybody had voted yes, they probably would have mentioned 100% buy-in. I also wonder if this could mark the start of a wave of “condo replacement” projects.
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