Commercial Real Estate Development 2025
April 15, 2025 at 9:00AM PST
Downtown Vancouver and Live Webinar
Commercial Real Estate Development 2025
April 15, 2025
Overview
The commercial real estate industry is complex and dynamic. The sector is marked by ever-evolving market conditions, including interest rate hikes, a shifting political climate, and transformational housing-related legislation. Navigating the complexities of this dynamic sector demands a keen awareness of emerging issues and a discerning eye for creative opportunities. Advisors, developers, and industry leaders must stay abreast of the latest developments to thrive in the current economic environment.
Our exclusive one-day program assembles a distinguished cadre of seasoned experts, who will guide through what you need to know in order to stay competitive. Our program is tailored for the sophisticated professional seeking practical, actionable insights and proactive strategies. Join us for strategic discourse that goes beyond the surface, and gain a nuanced understanding of the current climate that will empower you to navigate your project with finesse and success.
Key Areas Addressed:
An update on recent case law and legislative changes
Managing relationships with lenders
Opportunities in distressed assets
Financing your project in a changing market
A case study on development on Indigenous lands
Who Should Attend:
Real estate lawyers and paralegals
Commercial real estate developers and advisors
Strata owners and operators
Municipal officials
Financial advisors
Agenda
9:00 - Welcome and Introduction by PBLI
9:05 - Chairs’ Welcome and Introduction
Sarah Batut
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Shauna Towriss
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
9:15 -Navigating the Legal Landscape: Recent Updates in Commercial Real Estate
Michelle F. Yung
Bennett Jones LLP
Recent cases
Legislative changes
10:05 - Questions and Discussion
10:15 - Morning Break
10:30 - Managing Your Lender
Brent Clark
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Preserving the relationship
Forbearance agreements
11:20 - Questions and Discussion
11:30 - Making Deals in Insolvency & State of the Market
Sarah Batut
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Jessica Hathaway
Colliers Canada
Metro Vancouver commercial real estate market update
Buying and closing a transaction in the insolvency world
Purchase and sale agreements – what to be aware of
Shopping for distressed assets: what opportunities are out there?
12:20 - Questions and Discussion
12:30 - Lunch Break
1:30 - Case Study: Heather Lands Project
Sarah Batut
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Speaker to be announced
Background on the project
Indigenous land development
Reconciliation in real estate development
2:40 - Questions and Discussion
2:50 - Afternoon Break
3:05 - Finance Roundtable: State of the Market
Moderator: Shauna Towriss
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Jennifer Drury
Conwest Developments
The Current market for accessing debt, raising or deploying equity and recycling capital
Planning for potential political uncertainty and impacts
Managing balance sheets with current interest rates and economic environment
Outlook for the short and long term
Sources of capital
Capital structures and debt loads in today’s market
4:15 - Questions and Discussion
4:25 - Chairs’ Closing Remarks
4:30 - Program Concludes
Meet the Co-Chairs
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Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver, BC
Sarah has comprehensive experience in real estate transactions including acquisitions and sales, subdivisions (including airspace subdivisions), development of mixed-use, commercial and residential projects and commercial leasing. Sarah also has experience in various corporate and commercial practices. She is a member of the CBA’s Real Property Section, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Commercial Real Estate Women's Network. Sarah is a regular presenter for PBLI.
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Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Vancouver, BC
Shauna Towriss is a partner in her Cassels’ Real Estate & Development Group. In her practice, Shauna helps clients grow and achieve their business goals by securing the space where they conduct business and doing the legal work related to obtaining the funding that allows them to do so. She offers extensive experience in assisting clients in nearly all facets of commercial real estate including acquisitions, dispositions and financing or re-financing of office, retail, apartment and hotel properties on behalf of a range of owners, from individuals and syndications to institutional investors.
Meet the Faculty
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Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver, BC
Brent Clark is a leading banking and finance lawyer in Fasken’s Vancouver office. Acting primarily for banks, credit unions, pension funds and other borrowers and lenders in secured and unsecured financing transactions, he is highly recognized by peers and clients for his extensive experience in asset-based lending and banking and finance law. An established practitioner in his field, Brent represents all types of lenders and borrowers, in both real and personal property secured financing transactions, including real estate and project financing.
Well-known in the region for his solution-based approach to working with clients and colleagues, he also acts for financial institutions, private lenders, and debtors in connection with foreclosures, receiverships, priority disputes, and realizations.
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VP Finance and Asset Management, Conwest Developments, Vancouver, BC
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Associate Vice President, Colliers Canada, Vancouver, BC
Jessica is a member of the Vancouver Investment Development Advisory (VIDA) team, which has become Vancouver’s pre-eminent investment and land brokerage team with an extensive track record of selling development sites and large-scale investment opportunities.
Jessica joined Colliers in 2012 and specializes in the listing and sale of investment and redevelopment properties throughout Metro Vancouver. As an integral part of Colliers' highest-grossing team across Canada, Jessica has been involved in nearly $7.7 Billion worth of transactions. She has developed an acute understanding of complex land and investment transactions and has established relationships with a wide range of property owners, investors and developers.
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Partner, Bennett Jones LLP, Vancouver, BC
Michelle's practice is focused on real property, including infrastructure, construction, public private partnerships, procurement and commercial real estate. Michelle has extensive experience in commercial leasing transactions and regularly advises landlords, tenants and property managers on commercial leasing matters in the shopping centre, retail, office, mixed-use and industrial space leasing sectors. Michelle also advises clients on the financing, acquisition and disposition of real estate assets, and on the re-zoning, subdivision, development and building permit processes.
As a member of the Bennett Jones’ Capital Projects group, Michelle acts for bidders, contractors and public authorities on the development of large infrastructure projects, including hospitals, educational institutions, transportation, wastewater treatment plants and energy developments.
Prior to joining Bennett Jones, Michelle served as in-house legal counsel to a leading commercial real estate owner, operator and developer with a Canadian portfolio of best-in-class office, retail and mixed-use properties valued at around $31 billion. There, she advised on commercial leasing, procurement and property management.
Registration Form
Program:
Commercial Real Estate Development 2025
Date:
April 15, 2025
Location:
UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street - Classroom level), Vancouver, BC
Registration:
The registration fee is $890.00 plus GST of $44.50 totalling $934.50 for webinar and in-person attendance. Registration fee covers your attendance at the program and electronic materials. In-person attendance includes a catered lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Early Bird Discount:
Register by March 17, 2025 and receive a $100 discount on the registration fee ($790.00 plus GST). Discounts cannot be combined.
Group Discount:
Register four persons from the same organization at the same time and you are entitled to a complimentary fifth registration. Discounts cannot be combined.
If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form and email it to registrations@pbli.com:
Payment:
You may pay by VISA, Mastercard or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to the Pacific Business & Law Institute and mailed to Unit 2-2246 Spruce Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2P3. Please do not send cheques via courier with signature required.
When and Where:
Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 9:00 a.m. (PST). UBC Robson Square is located at 800 Robson Street in Vancouver, BC, and our event will take place on the classroom level. Please visit https://robsonsquare.ubc.ca/find-us/ for directions.
Materials:
The faculty will prepare papers and/or other materials explaining many of the points raised during this program. Materials will be distributed electronically. Please contact us at registrations@pbli.com if you are unable to attend the program and wish to purchase a set of materials.
Cancellations/Transfers:
Refunds will be given for cancellations (less a $60.00 administration fee) if notice is received in writing five full business days prior to the program (April 8, 2025). After that time we are unable to refund registration fees. Substitutions will be permitted. We reserve the right to cancel, change or revise the date, faculty, content, availability of webinar or venue and transfer in-person registration to webinar registration for this event.
To register by phone:
Telephone us: 604-730-2500
Your Privacy:
We will keep all information that you provide to us in strict confidence, other than to prepare a delegate list containing your name, title, firm and city for our faculty and the program delegates. We do not share our mailing lists with any non-affiliated organization.
Course Accreditation:
Attendance at this course can be listed for up to 6 hours of continuing professional development credits with the Law Society of BC. For practitioners in other jurisdictions, please check your governing body’s CPD requirements.
If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form (DOWNLOAD FORM) and email it to registrations@pbli.com (*This form is for registrations of 5 or more and cannot be combined with any other promotions/discount codes.)
For individual registration, please continue with form below.