A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone that attended the ULI Toronto fishbowl conversation at MOCA on January 14th. It was wonderful to be able to begin to have a conversation around Social Purpose Real Estate which is an important aspect of development in Toronto.

Some conversation pieces included:
What’s your basic definition of Social Purpose Real Estate?
-Thinking about real estate from the perspective of mission and meaning. What are you doing with space? Ideally, create places that are more considerate and compassionate
-Push even further to mean: community homed assets, things owned by communities, clubs etc not necessarily privatized
-Non profit
-Taking the profit out of the equation so the assets can be provided for space to serve all of the needs of a thriving community

Comments on how arts organizations and not for profit organizations can begin to work with developers to take into consideration the community interest for long term development. Looking at the community and seeing what already exists, what community members want or need to make it a livable, workable community where people want to be.

More details will be shared via the ULI Toronto website

Special thanks to the folks below:

Facilitator:
Jane Farrow, Principal, Dept of Words & Deeds

Panelists:
Laura Alderson, Mount Dennis BIA
Georgia Cowan, MOCA Toronto
Diane Dyson, Director, Research & Public Policy, Central Neighbourhood House (The Neighbourhood Group)
Robert Fiorino, Vice President - Market Strategy, Lemay
Andrew Garrett, Executive Director, Real Estate Portfolio, IMCO
Ken Greenberg, Urban Designer
Lori Martin, Senior Cultural Affairs Officer, City of Toronto
Sherif Masood, VP Asset Management (Retail), Oxford Properties Group
Abigail Moriah, Senior Development Manager, New Commons Development
Michael Vickers, Co-Director, Akin
Oliver Pauk, Co-Director, Akin
Peter Venetas, Real Estate Consultant
Pru Robey, Consultant
Liza Stiff, Director, Research & Programs, TAS DesignBuild
Laura Trujillo, Vice President, Property Management, Allied REIT
Jordana Wright, Managing Director, Activate Space
And more!

Click here for more upcoming Akin events

This event has sold out. For onsite registration information, please email toronto@uli.org.

Join us at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Toronto) as ULI Toronto and Akin lead a group ‘fishbowl’ discussion on social purpose real estate with a unique and eclectic group of city builders and cultural leaders.

Why is the need for social purpose real estate emerging in the fabric of our growing city and what are the barriers on both sides of the fence?
How can developers create unique partnerships and collaborations with non profits and other community-focused groups to address space needs and provide a social good?
How can a booming real estate market in a fast growing city be leveraged to foster a climate where innovative and necessary but less profitable enterprises and causes can thrive and support communities?
What are some of the successes we can look to in Toronto, and abroad, as we have a frank and open discussion around the impact and future of social purpose real estate in the fabric of our city?

Facilitator:

Jane Farrow, Principal, Dept of Words & Deeds

Panelists:

Jessa Agilo, Founder, President & CEO, ArtsPond

Laura Alderson, Co-ordinator, Mount Dennis BIA

Georgia Cowan, Community & Facilities Manager, MOCA Toronto

Robert Fiorino, Architect, Vice President - Market Strategy, Lemay

Andrew Garrett, Executive Director, Real Estate Portfolio, IMCO

Ken Greenberg, Urban Designer

Lori Martin, Senior Cultural Affairs Officer, City of Toronto

Abigail Moriah, Senior Development Manager, New Commons Development

Oliver Pauk, Co-Director, Akin

Pru Robey, Consultant

Liza Stiff, Director, Research & Programs, TAS DesignBuild

Laura Trujillo, Vice President, Property Management, Allied REIT

Peter Venetas, Real Estate Consultant

Michael Vickers, Co-Director, Akin

Jordana Wright, Managing Director, Activate Space

More panelists to be announced. Limited to 60 participants.

What is a fishbowl conversation? Part panel talk and part group brainstorm, a fishbowl conversation is intended to help facilitate large group discussions- allowing the entire audience to participate in the conservation or simply listen. A small group of participants have been selected to fill the fishbowl, along with empty chairs available for others to join in as desired.

Accessibility

MOCA Toronto aims to be a barrier-free and accessible museum for all. This discussion will be hosted on the first floor of the building where there is an all gender washroom with automated entrances and accessible stalls with grab bars. Two wheelchairs are available for use, and service animals are welcome. Should you have any other needs or accommodation requests, including ASL interpretation, please let us know at michael@akincollective.com to make arrangements.

Learn more here