Brandon Donnelly | Paragraph
Brandon Donnelly
brandondonnelly.eth
I'm a real estate developer based in Toronto.
I'm a real estate developer based in Toronto.
I'm a real estate developer based in Toronto.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 24
@paragraph @fredwilson.eth what does this badge mean?
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 15
Powder day in Toronto
zoraCoin://0x2f7bc85e8a3a8f87f418bd85a1387747ec75816b
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 14
Sid Lee Montréal
zoraCoin://0xa0608583e62e55a0a7038c1f966f31ad7b9962a7
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 9
Place Ville Marie, Montréal
zoraCoin://0x58f1656c5b804398e804ff35bdac4a7bd73c9a06
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 5
Junction House
zoraCoin://0x2c845404c59f5160427838fe0107da14b9231be7
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 5
Winter light in Toronto
zoraCoin://0xa3582443ecc64eb5865baede5c949a979a99f678
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 4
DAS WEST
zoraCoin://0x5cc6fe1f6d0337bd793242cb5efe5ff24cf7ce1a
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 3
Instagram, AI, and the crisis of authenticity
What's the future of Instagram in a world of endless AI-generated content?
https://brandondonnelly.com/instagram-ai-and-the-crisis-of-authenticity
\ \ Brandon Donnelly\ \ Instagram, AI, and the crisis of authenticity\ \ Sometime last year, Instagram changed its bottom menu bar to the following:Bookended by the home button and the user profile button are now video reels, DMs, and the explore page. The create a new post button, which was formerly here in the center, was moved up to the top of the screen in a far less conspicuous place. These changes felt weird at first, but they were, of course, based on real user data. What people do on Instagram these days is watch reels and then share them with their friend...](https://brandondonnelly.com/instagram-ai-and-the-crisis-of-authenticity)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 2
9” of snow over the last 24 hours at Park City Mountain Resort
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 1
Winter light
zoraCoin://0x22ff6f4adfd3c9dcfcbeb76e97b3ab3045e762e8
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 1
TD Terrace
zoraCoin://0x766144e59412289cc9194a488fd6d4408d9eaefb
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 1
Snow Dancer, Park City
zoraCoin://0x65e1bb4daf09a5f64124d0912b3aad2a5dd97a70
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 1
Sticker update
zoraCoin://0x02f11fa48cd7a5afaf7a7b0e0d16756caa3fac48
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jan 1
Interesting takes
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Dec 30, 2025
It’s impossible to keep track of all the different wallets that every app uses. I wish I could just use one wallet for everything.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Dec 30, 2025
I vividly remember looking at condo listings in Miami in 2008 and thinking, "Damn, this is cheap!" Who could have predicted such an incredible turnaround, transformation, and massive wealth transfer to the city?
zoraCoin://0x017e263b9ec60f64934bb9858011ba130cfa0e1a
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Dec 29, 2025
Humber Bay Arch Bridge
zoraCoin://0x6f394fe68adccf863e15e41e32891008acfbf96e
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Dec 29, 2025
"You will never be perfect, but you can always be better." —Warren Buffett
zoraCoin://0x6ce6185834b3041edabae9ce739f2176d0714bda
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Dec 29, 2025
Where are ya’ll minting your NFTs these days? Used to love Rodeo but it’s now a ghost town.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Dec 29, 2025
Nice!
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 18, 2025
Park City (Summit Park to be exact) https://rodeo.club/post/7395091731124129792
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "Park City, Utah"\ \ Park City, Utah](https://rodeo.club/post/7395091731124129792)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 18, 2025
We need pipelines to build a post-oil Canada https://brandondonnelly.com/we-need-pipelines-to-build-a-post-oil-canada
\ \ We need pipelines to build a post-oil Canada\ \ I'm not sure that oil is Canada's only economic hard power, but it has to be our largest:“To effectively use oil, Canada’s only economic hard power, Carney needs to get not just one, but two pipelines built,” said Adam Waterous, chief executive of Calgary’s Waterous Energy Fund, a major oil sands investor.It's hard to imagine a more strategically important investment for Canada. Right now, virtually all of Canada's oil exports go to the US. That gives us zero leverage. We are price takers! To...](https://brandondonnelly.com/we-need-pipelines-to-build-a-post-oil-canada)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 18, 2025
parkview mountain house https://rodeo.club/post/7396526240617009152
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "https://pmhpc.com"\\ \ https://pmhpc.com](https://rodeo.club/post/7396526240617009152)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 16, 2025
Parkview Mountain House x @globizen winter 25/26
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 16, 2025
Saturday night in the city
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 16, 2025
Yesterday morning, my dad sent me the above chart from Apollo and said, "frightening, do you have one for Canada?" In 2010, the median age (not mean) of all US homebuyers was 39 years old. Today, it is 59 years old. And it has jumped significantly since the start of the pandemic. https://brandondonnelly.com/the-median-age-of-all-us-homebuyers-is-now-59-years-old
\ \ The median age of all US homebuyers is now 59 years old\ \ Yesterday morning, my dad sent me the above chart from Apollo and said, "frightening, do you have one for Canada?" In 2010, the median age (not mean) of all US homebuyers was 39 years old. Today, it is 59 years old. And it has jumped significantly since the start of the pandemic. The obvious explanation, and long-term trend line, is that housing continues to become more expensive relative to incomes, so it is taking longer for people to save up and afford to buy. But "first-time buyers waitin...](https://brandondonnelly.com/the-median-age-of-all-us-homebuyers-is-now-59-years-old)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 14, 2025
A simple framework for thinking about value engineering https://brandondonnelly.com/a-simple-framework-for-thinking-about-value-engineering
\ \ A simple framework for thinking about value engineering\ \ We all know what value engineering is when it comes to buildings. Generally speaking, it is the process of trying to identify high-cost items with relatively low perceived value. Once you identify these items, you then remove them (if you can), replace them with alternatives, or find other creative solutions. All projects have to do this at one point or another because, well, money doesn't grow on trees. One way to think about this is in terms of the following four-quadrant chart:Low-value an...](https://brandondonnelly.com/a-simple-framework-for-thinking-about-value-engineering)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 10, 2025
West Toronto
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 10, 2025
The US is working on 50-year mortgages. Is that a good thing? https://brandondonnelly.com/how-long-is-too-long-for-a-mortgage
\ \ How long is too long for a mortgage?\ \ The US just announced that they are working on a plan to introduce 50-year mortgages. I don't know what this plan entails, but my first reaction to the headline was: “Yeah, this is a bad idea.” But then I thought to myself, why is a 50-year amortization period too long? And is there any magic to 25- and 30-year mortgages? At the most basic level, you could think of it this way: the average life expectancy of both sexes in America is currently 78.4 years. That means the average American would ...](https://brandondonnelly.com/how-long-is-too-long-for-a-mortgage)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 10, 2025
Parkview Mountain House is your modern escape in the woods of Park City, Utah. https://rodeo.club/post/7393726520857268224
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "Winter is almost her…"\ \ Winter is almost here. Parkview Mountain House is your modern escape in the woods of Park City, Utah. Book your stay now…](https://rodeo.club/post/7393726520857268224)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 7, 2025
Thanks for the mention. Open composability is the future. Long @paragraph. Long ETH.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 7, 2025
Level 35 working deck at One Delisle, looking south toward downtown. https://rodeo.club/post/7392549944467722240
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "Level 35 working dec…"\ \ Level 35 working deck at One Delisle](https://rodeo.club/post/7392549944467722240)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 7, 2025
The problem with unlucky floors. I'm talking about you number 4. https://brandondonnelly.com/the-problem-with-unlucky-floors
\ \ The problem with unlucky floors\ \ In Chinese culture, certain numbers — like 4 — are generally considered unlucky because of how they sound. I don't speak Mandarin or Cantonese, but as I understand it, 4 sounds similar to "death." And this is even more the case in Cantonese. Four sounds exactly like death, fourteen sounds like "definitely die," and forty-four is the equivalent of "die, certainly die." (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) It is for this reason that in certain real estate markets, and in particular Cantonese-speak...](https://brandondonnelly.com/the-problem-with-unlucky-floors)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 4, 2025
People like regional express rail
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 4, 2025
I just launched a writer coin on Paragraph! As part of the launch, I rewarded all subscribers (with a connected wallet) and anyone who has supported my writing in the past. Excited to try out this new feature.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 4, 2025
We were just a few millimeters off https://brandondonnelly.com/we-were-just-a-few-millimeters-off
\ \ We were just a few millimeters off\ \ After Game 5's win, I was feeling confident that the Toronto Blue Jays would win the World Series. History placed us at roughly a 75% probability of success. Polymarket had even flipped in favor of the Jays for the first time. We were up 3–2 in the series and heading home. But of course that didn't happen on Saturday. Toronto lost. We Torontonians will always remember the 2025 Blue Jays and how fun of a season it was, but history doesn't care about second place. What history will remember is ...](https://brandondonnelly.com/we-were-just-a-few-millimeters-off)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 2, 2025
One Delisle in midtown Toronto https://rodeo.club/post/7390835342075826176
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "one delisle in midto…"\ \ one delisle in midtown toronto](https://rodeo.club/post/7390835342075826176)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Nov 2, 2025
The market for three-bedroom apartments isn't what you think https://brandondonnelly.com/the-market-for-three-bedroom-apartments-isnt-what-you-think
\ \ The market for three-bedroom apartments isn't what you think\ \ Erica Alini of The Globe and Mail just published this article called, "The era of the shoebox condo is over." You should read it, and not just because I'm quoted in it. One thing that I appreciate about the article is that it gets into some of the development economics underlying new projects. The high-level math provided by Bryn Davidson of Lanefab (Vancouver) once again shows that land is the residual claimant in a pro forma and that the price developers can feasibly pay needs to be greater...](https://brandondonnelly.com/the-market-for-three-bedroom-apartments-isnt-what-you-think)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 31, 2025
Good morning, Toronto. Game 6 of the World Series is happening here tonight. https://rodeo.club/post/7390039498066038784
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "Good morning, Toront…"\ \ Good morning, Toronto. Game 6 of the World Series is happening here tonight.](https://rodeo.club/post/7390039498066038784)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 31, 2025
Who is excited for Game 6 tonight?!
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 17, 2025
Lago di Sorapis https://rodeo.club/post/7385062677251690496
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "Lago di Sorapis"\ \ Lago di Sorapis](https://rodeo.club/post/7385062677251690496)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 16, 2025
Nice Méridia https://rodeo.club/post/7384690004583583744
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "Nice Méridia"\ \ Nice Méridia](https://rodeo.club/post/7384690004583583744)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 16, 2025
Stairs on stairs https://rodeo.club/post/7384560819391238144
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "Stairs on stairs (Ni…"\ \ Stairs on stairs (Nice, France)](https://rodeo.club/post/7384560819391238144)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 14, 2025
The US economy is a giant bet on AI right now.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 14, 2025
Canada needs immigration because we don't make enough babies
https://brandondonnelly.com/canada-needs-immigration-because-we-dont-make-enough-babies
\ \ Canada needs immigration because we don't make enough babies\ \ In the second quarter of this year, Canada saw its population grow by about 0.1% compared to the first quarter. This is not zero, but it's close to it — the slowest second-quarter growth since 1946 (excluding the pandemic in 2020). Since World War II, Canada has generally been pro-immigration. It started as being explicitly Eurocentric, but later we adopted a point system which granted admission based on skills, education, and language ability rather than race or nationality. In other words, ...](https://brandondonnelly.com/canada-needs-immigration-because-we-dont-make-enough-babies)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 14, 2025
Game 3 in Seattle. Let’s go Jays.
cc: @globizen
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 14, 2025
I saw this lady on the beach in Nice with her Rimowa and I immediately thought, “this would make for a mildly funny ad.” How would you caption this?
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 14, 2025
👀 One of Toronto’s new supertall buildings
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 14, 2025
Tokyo nights 🇯🇵
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 14, 2025
US cancels largest solar project in North America — why?
https://brandondonnelly.com/us-cancels-largest-solar-project-in-north-america-%E2%80%94-why
\ \ US cancels largest solar project in North America — why?\ \ Data centers require electricity. And as we have talked about before, total electricity consumption by US data centers is forecasted to reach somewhere between 6.7 - 12% of total consumption by 2028 (figure from the US Department of Energy). Last year, Goldman Sachs also estimated that data center power demand would grow 160% by 2030. I kind of wonder if these numbers might be understated — given our current AI bubble — but whatever the case may be, we're going to need a lot more electricity ...](https://brandondonnelly.com/us-cancels-largest-solar-project-in-north-america-%E2%80%94-why)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 14, 2025
The Bedford condominium showroom on Davenport. Apparently construction is supposed to start this fall. I hope that happens.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 11, 2025
The number of pedestrians killed in the US each year has increased 78% since 2009. What gives? https://brandondonnelly.com/an-alternative-explanation-for-americas-surge-in-pedestrian-deaths
\ \ An alternative explanation for America’s surge in pedestrian deaths\ \ The number of pedestrians killed in the US each year has increased 78% since 2009:This comes after decades of steady decline, causing many to wonder: What the hell is going on? Brian Potter of Construction Physics recently tried to answer this question, here. Perhaps the two most common theories are that (1) bigger cars have become more popular (and bigger cars are more deadly to pedestrians), and (2) people are increasingly distracted by smartphones. In his view, the SUV theory is maybe supp...](https://brandondonnelly.com/an-alternative-explanation-for-americas-surge-in-pedestrian-deaths)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 7, 2025
The 9-step rule: Why simple, narrow buildings are good for cities https://brandondonnelly.com/the-9-step-rule-why-simple-narrow-buildings-are-good-for-cities
\ \ The 9-step rule: Why simple, narrow buildings are good for cities\ \ Brandon Donnelly @donnelly_b This is a scale and rhythm that positively contributes to cities, but that is far to difficult to develop in many places. We should change that. #globizen 124 11:57 AM • Oct 6, 2025 I tweeted this yesterday (please forgive the grammar mistake). What it shows is a bunch of narrow urban properties ranging, for the most part, from 5 to 7 storeys. Some of them are old buildings, and some are new. Regardless, the point I wanted to make was that this is a scale and rhyt...](https://brandondonnelly.com/the-9-step-rule-why-simple-narrow-buildings-are-good-for-cities)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 6, 2025
This is ETH.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 6, 2025
Polymarket now has the Blue Jays at a 19% chance of winning the World Series. Second behind LA.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 6, 2025
Architecture billings are down across the US https://brandondonnelly.com/architecture-billings-are-down-across-the-us
\ \ Architecture billings are down across the US\ \ Architecture billings are typically viewed as a leading indicator for the development industry. That's because, in order to build things, you need permits. And in order to get permits, you need architects to draw things. So every month, the American Institute of Architects surveys design firms as a way to determine how the industry is doing. The primary question it asks is: Have your billings increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the month that just ended? Based on the proportion of res...](https://brandondonnelly.com/architecture-billings-are-down-across-the-us)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 5, 2025
How Canada missed out on having the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world https://brandondonnelly.com/how-canada-missed-out-on-having-the-largest-sovereign-wealth-fund-in-the-world
\ \ How Canada missed out on having the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world\ \ One of the most popular blog posts that I have ever written on this blog over the last 12 years is this one: Canada must become a global superpower. And in this post, I argue that Canada needs to create a sovereign wealth fund, and that we have Norway to look to as a model. This is a topic that is raised semi-frequently in Canada. Just this past week, John Ruffolo, who is the Founder and Managing Partner of Maverix Private Equity, published this opinion piece in the Globe and Mail. Here's an ...](https://brandondonnelly.com/how-canada-missed-out-on-having-the-largest-sovereign-wealth-fund-in-the-world)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 5, 2025
Streets of Monaco https://rodeo.club/post/7380285690511429632
\ \ @globizen on Rodeo: "Streets of Monaco"\ \ Streets of Monaco](https://rodeo.club/post/7380285690511429632)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 4, 2025
I feel like things have quieted down on @rodeodotclub. Where are you all collecting your NFTs these days?
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Oct 4, 2025
Utah creates new Condominium Construction Loan Program https://brandondonnelly.com/utah-creates-new-condominium-construction-loan-program
\ \ Utah creates new Condominium Construction Loan Program\ \ The state of Utah is trying to build 35,000 starter homes over the next five years. Last year, $300 million was allocated to something known as the Utah Homes Investment Program (UHIP). The initial idea was that these funds would be provided as low-cost deposits to financial institutions so that they could, in turn, offer low-interest loans to homebuilders who committed to building single-family starter homes. But this didn’t go as planned. Apparently, the low-cost deposits weren’t low enough...](https://brandondonnelly.com/utah-creates-new-condominium-construction-loan-program)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 21, 2025
Housing starts in Ontario are now lagging the rest of Canada https://brandondonnelly.com/housing-starts-in-ontario-are-lagging-the-rest-of-canada
\ \ Housing starts in Ontario are now lagging the rest of Canada\ \ RBC published a special housing report this week where they argued that, "Canada isn't in a housing starts slump — Ontario is." The report is based on new figures from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation that show Ontario lagging behind the rest of the country when it comes to new homes.The reason for this is the paralysis of the pre-construction condo market in the Greater Toronto Area, which, up until recently, has been the biggest contributor to new supply — both when it comes to f...](https://brandondonnelly.com/housing-starts-in-ontario-are-lagging-the-rest-of-canada)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 19, 2025
Allied and Westbank just announced a 20-year lease with Whole Foods at KING Toronto: 4,587 sf at grade and 28,291 sf below grade.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 19, 2025
Sunset over the Don Valley Parkway https://rodeo.club/post/7361497078204944384
\ \ @aesthetely on Rodeo: "sunset over the don …"\ \ sunset over the don valley parkway](https://rodeo.club/post/7361497078204944384)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 19, 2025
One of the fundamental principles that we espouse on this blog is that land use and transportation planning are integral to one another. This matters if you're trying to build a big, bad global city because there are limits to what you can accomplish with car-oriented planning. Eventually traffic congestion becomes unbearable and the model starts to breakdown (consider Toronto and Atlanta right now). https://brandondonnelly.com/toronto-is-planning-for-a-post-car-future
\ \ Toronto is planning for a post-car future\ \ One of the fundamental principles that we espouse on this blog is that land use and transportation planning are integral to one another. This matters if you're trying to build a big, bad global city because there are limits to what you can accomplish with car-oriented planning. Eventually traffic congestion becomes unbearable and the model starts to breakdown (consider Toronto and Atlanta right now). This means that, if you'd like to continue scaling, eventually you'll need to start getting s...](https://brandondonnelly.com/toronto-is-planning-for-a-post-car-future)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 19, 2025
Congratulations to my good friends Francesco, Aleris, and Gabriel on their new publication — Impossible Toronto: On the Courtyard, Learning from European Blocks
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 19, 2025
One of my all-time favorite NFTs @cyberbrokers
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 19, 2025
The foreigners buying homes in the US https://brandondonnelly.com/the-foreigners-buying-homes-in-the-us
\ \ The foreigners buying homes in the US\ \ Based on a recent study by the National Association of Realtors (which is a study based on realtor surveys), foreign buyers bought approximately $56 billion worth of residential real estate in the US between April 2024 and March 2025. This represents about 2.5% of all existing-home sales and is the first year-over-year increase since 2017.56% of these purchases were by people who legally reside in the US but who are not US citizens. And the remaining 44% were by foreign buyers who live abroad...](https://brandondonnelly.com/the-foreigners-buying-homes-in-the-us)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 13, 2025
High-density land prices are starting to reflect the current market https://brandondonnelly.com/high-density-land-prices-are-starting-to-reflect-the-current-market
\ \ High-density land prices are starting to reflect the current market\ \ The last time I shared Bullpen & Batory Consulting's Land Insights report for the Greater Toronto Area was back in Q3-2024. And at that time, the average high-density land trade across the GTA was being reported at roughly $98 per buildable square foot. However, I ended my post by saying this:So even though prices and transaction volumes are down (which is what one would totally expect right now), it still doesn't feel like this data accurately reflects what's going on in the market today. I ...](https://brandondonnelly.com/high-density-land-prices-are-starting-to-reflect-the-current-market)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 12, 2025
New housing supply tempers rents — particularly in low-income neighborhoods https://brandondonnelly.com/new-housing-supply-tempers-rents-—-particularly-in-low-income-neighborhoods
\ \ New housing supply tempers rents — particularly in low-income neighborhoods\ \ Those of us in the yes-in-my-backyard camp like to point out that increased housing supply is good for the overall health of a market because it moderates price and rental growth. And to point out just one example, there's evidence of this happening right now in Austin. But one of the common objections to this mental model is that the new housing getting built is simply not affordable. It's high-income housing. So how is that helpful to someone who maybe can't afford the rents? And to be fair...](https://brandondonnelly.com/new-housing-supply-tempers-rents-%E2%80%94-particularly-in-low-income-neighborhoods)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 12, 2025
I would like this Toronto summer to never end.
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 12, 2025
What Toronto built in the postwar years is what we'd like to build today https://brandondonnelly.com/what-toronto-built-in-the-postwar-years-is-what-wed-like-to-build-today
\ \ What Toronto built in the postwar years is what we'd like to build today\ \ I was lollygagging on Bloor last night while waiting for my take-out sushi to be prepared when I happened to notice the above building at 1639 Bloor Street West. What stood out to me was that it’s six storeys, has no stepbacks, is brick all around, and is more or less the kind of infill housing that Toronto is now trying to encourage along its major streets. Except, this building is old. The internet tells me it was built in 1954 (and houses 46 apartments). Which made me immediately wonder: d...](https://brandondonnelly.com/what-toronto-built-in-the-postwar-years-is-what-wed-like-to-build-today)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 10, 2025
Wifey birthday weekend in Elora https://rodeo.club/post/7360325789586083840
\ \ @brandon on Rodeo: "Wifey birthday weeke…"\ \ Wifey birthday weekend in Elora](https://rodeo.club/post/7360325789586083840)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 10, 2025
One thing that I do not do on my blog is provide investment advice. And this post is certainly not that. But here's an idea and thought exercise that relates to urban mobility. https://brandondonnelly.com/is-it-finally-time-to-trade-your-car-for-ride-sharing
\ \ Is it finally time to trade your car for ride sharing?\ \ One thing that I do not do on this blog is provide investment advice. And this post is certainly not that. But here's an idea and thought exercise that relates to urban mobility. Let's assume you own a personal vehicle that is currently valued at US$30k, and that this car is what you use to go about your daily life. Now imagine that you sold this car today, harvested all of the proceeds, and invested them into the following three companies: Uber, Alphabet, and Tesla. If you did this equally, ...](https://brandondonnelly.com/is-it-finally-time-to-trade-your-car-for-ride-sharing)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 9, 2025
Conscientiousness and neuroticism are moving in the wrong directions — particularly for young people https://brandondonnelly.com/conscientiousness-and-neuroticism-are-moving-in-the-wrong-directions-—-particularly-for-young-people
\ \ Conscientiousness and neuroticism are moving in the wrong directions — particularly for young people\ \ The above charts — taken from a recent Financial Times article by John Burn-Murdoch called "The troubling decline in conscientiousness" — should be viewed as alarming. For some of our key personality traits, it is showing a decline in extroversion for all age groups, a decline in agreeableness (except for the 60+ crowd), a spike in neuroticism (again, except for the 60+ crowd), and a massive decline in conscientiousness, particularly for young people aged 16-39. Why does this matter? Well, ac...](https://brandondonnelly.com/conscientiousness-and-neuroticism-are-moving-in-the-wrong-directions-%E2%80%94-particularly-for-young-people)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 7, 2025
San Francisco is the new Silicon Valley https://brandondonnelly.com/san-francisco-is-the-new-silicon-valley
\ \ San Francisco is the new Silicon Valley\ \ What I have learned from this recent New York Times article is that if you have a company with "AI" in the name — such as OpenAI, ScaleAI, Adept AI, Hayden AI, or Harvey AI — then you probably need to lease office space in an area of San Francisco (around the Mission District) that is now being called The Arena. Here's a map from the article:The struggles of San Francisco's office market have been well publicized. At the beginning of this year, San Francisco had the highest office vacancy in ...](https://brandondonnelly.com/san-francisco-is-the-new-silicon-valley)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Aug 1, 2025
When should foreigners be allowed to buy homes? https://brandondonnelly.com/when-should-foreigners-be-allowed-to-buy-homes
\ \ When should foreigners be allowed to buy homes?\ \ Given how nice it is outside right now, some of you may be forgetting that Canada does have winter. And it is largely because of winter that we are the biggest foreign buyer of homes in the state of Florida (and the US as a whole for that matter). In 2024, Canadians bought over $2.4 billion worth of homes in Florida. And between April 2023 and March 2024, it is estimated that Canadians accounted for nearly 25% of all foreign home sales in the state (this is according to the National Associati...](https://brandondonnelly.com/when-should-foreigners-be-allowed-to-buy-homes)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jul 31, 2025
Poured the level 27 verticals today at One Delisle
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jul 31, 2025
Sprawl works, until it doesn’t
https://brandondonnelly.com/sprawl-works-until-it-doesnt
\ \ Sprawl works, until it doesn't\ \ The Wall Street Journal recently published an article called, "Atlanta's Growth Streak Has Come to an End." It's behind a paywall, though, so I don't actually know what it says. But Paul Krugman did write about it, here, and I do know that one of the key statistics that you should know is this: For the first time since the data was collected, net domestic migration to Atlanta has turned slightly negative. Overall, the metro area is still growing because of natural births and international mig...](https://brandondonnelly.com/sprawl-works-until-it-doesnt)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jul 19, 2025
Southern Ontario has an immense supply gap when it comes to design-forward lifestyle hotels https://brandondonnelly.com/southern-ontario-has-an-immense-supply-gap-when-it-comes-to-design-forward-lifestyle-hotels
\ \ Southern Ontario has an immense supply gap when it comes to design-forward lifestyle hotels\ \ If you would like to visit southern Ontario (specifically somewhere outside of Toronto) and stay in a cool design-forward lifestyle hotel, what are your options? The obvious ones are the Drake Devonshire, The Royal Hotel, and Wander the Resort in Prince Edward County (~2.5 hours east of Toronto). Looking north of Toronto, The Postmark Hotel in Newmarket is a nice boutique hotel. But I can't think of any others and there aren't any lifestyle hotels in Muskoka. That's cottage country. Moving to...](https://brandondonnelly.com/southern-ontario-has-an-immense-supply-gap-when-it-comes-to-design-forward-lifestyle-hotels)
brandondonnelly.eth](https://paragraph.com/0xd496380248f848c1cab3e3b0f1106302b9a3cf0b)
Jul 14, 2025
Canada should be celebrating Vancouver's new Terminal 2 port
https://brandondonnelly.com/canada-should-be-celebrating-vancouvers-new-terminal-2-port
\ \ Canada should be celebrating Vancouver's new Terminal 2 port\ \ Last week, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority kicked off procurement for the new Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project by issuing a request for qualification (RFQ). Bidders now have until September 25, 2025 to submit their qualifications with the hopes of eventually being selected to deliver this "nation-building project" in the Lower Mainland of BC.The contract will include the delivery of an approximately 100-hectare marine landmass (~247 acres), 35-hectare widened causeway, 1,300-meter wharf st...](https://brandondonnelly.com/canada-should-be-celebrating-vancouvers-new-terminal-2-port)
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