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Solving the Modular Puzzle: Path to Mainstream Adoption with Jennifer Keesmaat, President and CEO of Collecdev Markee

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Manage episode 514687952 series 1221153
Content provided by First National. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by First National or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome back Jennifer Keesmaat, President and CEO of Collecdev Markee, to discuss the critical moment for modular housing in Canada. Fresh from organizing the Canada Builds Modular Summit, Jennifer shares why this government-backed push could finally move modular from the margins to mainstream. From her unique perspective as both former Chief City Planner of Toronto and an active developer building cross-laminated timber projects, she breaks down the interconnected challenges—financing, zoning, factory capacity, and site readiness—that must be solved simultaneously for modular to scale.

What you will learn:

  • Why modular housing has remained on the fringes in Canada while Sweden builds 70% of homes this way
  • How Prime Minister Carney’s Build Canada Homes initiative could finally transform housing delivery
  • The complex ecosystem challenges: financing, zoning, factory capacity, and site readiness must align
  • Why factories like Element Five are shipping product across North America but lack local demand
  • The real story behind Toronto’s modular disaster: modules stored at $40,000/month in Owen Sound
  • How CMHC’s new bonding solution finally solves the off-site financing challenge
  • Why modular must become mainstream market housing, not just affordable or temporary shelter
  • The overlooked obstacles: garbage rooms, bike parking, overhead wires, and municipal approval processes
  • How developers can incrementally adopt modular through bathroom pods, panels, and CLT
  • Why Jennifer believes we’re five years from hitting the tipping point on modular adoption

Jennifer Keesmaat is President and CEO of Collecdev Markee, a development company focused on sustainable, purpose-built rental housing using innovative construction methods. As Toronto’s former Chief City Planner, Jennifer brings unique insight into both policy challenges and practical development realities. Her company is currently building a 1,400-unit cross-laminated timber development in North Toronto and breaking ground on a 72-unit modular building in January 2026. Jennifer organized the sold-out Canada Builds Modular Summit to bring together manufacturers, developers, financiers, and government stakeholders to accelerate the scaling of factory-built housing in Canada.

The post Solving the Modular Puzzle: Path to Mainstream Adoption with Jennifer Keesmaat, President and CEO of Collecdev Markee appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

  continue reading

349 episodes

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iconShare
 
Manage episode 514687952 series 1221153
Content provided by First National. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by First National or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome back Jennifer Keesmaat, President and CEO of Collecdev Markee, to discuss the critical moment for modular housing in Canada. Fresh from organizing the Canada Builds Modular Summit, Jennifer shares why this government-backed push could finally move modular from the margins to mainstream. From her unique perspective as both former Chief City Planner of Toronto and an active developer building cross-laminated timber projects, she breaks down the interconnected challenges—financing, zoning, factory capacity, and site readiness—that must be solved simultaneously for modular to scale.

What you will learn:

  • Why modular housing has remained on the fringes in Canada while Sweden builds 70% of homes this way
  • How Prime Minister Carney’s Build Canada Homes initiative could finally transform housing delivery
  • The complex ecosystem challenges: financing, zoning, factory capacity, and site readiness must align
  • Why factories like Element Five are shipping product across North America but lack local demand
  • The real story behind Toronto’s modular disaster: modules stored at $40,000/month in Owen Sound
  • How CMHC’s new bonding solution finally solves the off-site financing challenge
  • Why modular must become mainstream market housing, not just affordable or temporary shelter
  • The overlooked obstacles: garbage rooms, bike parking, overhead wires, and municipal approval processes
  • How developers can incrementally adopt modular through bathroom pods, panels, and CLT
  • Why Jennifer believes we’re five years from hitting the tipping point on modular adoption

Jennifer Keesmaat is President and CEO of Collecdev Markee, a development company focused on sustainable, purpose-built rental housing using innovative construction methods. As Toronto’s former Chief City Planner, Jennifer brings unique insight into both policy challenges and practical development realities. Her company is currently building a 1,400-unit cross-laminated timber development in North Toronto and breaking ground on a 72-unit modular building in January 2026. Jennifer organized the sold-out Canada Builds Modular Summit to bring together manufacturers, developers, financiers, and government stakeholders to accelerate the scaling of factory-built housing in Canada.

The post Solving the Modular Puzzle: Path to Mainstream Adoption with Jennifer Keesmaat, President and CEO of Collecdev Markee appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.

  continue reading

349 episodes

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