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The skyline looks the same, but the rules have changed. We sit down with Dan from Reliance Properties to unpack what really moves leases in Vancouver right now—from AAA towers with destination-worthy amenities to character spaces that trade polish for soul and identity. Dan has lived the market from both sides, brokering deals and now operating a deep downtown portfolio, so the takeaways are pragmatic: tenants buy outcomes, not square footage.

We dig into the friction between short terms and real tenant improvements, and why portfolio breadth can de-risk growth by enabling credible mid-lease relocations. Modular buildouts and raised access floors aren’t just buzz; they’re how landlords recover TI dollars across multiple cycles while giving teams faster paths to occupancy. We tackle the co-working conundrum too. Yes, the per-desk cost stings, but flexibility, community, and turnkey execution are invaluable when your headcount horizon is foggy. For many, the smartest footprint blends a long-term core with elastic project space.

Culture and training keep surfacing as the differentiators that laptops can’t replace. Mentorship travels poorly over scheduled calls, and young talent learns by osmosis as much as instruction. Technology helps—Matterport tours and digital stacks streamline search—but deals still click on site, shoulder-to-shoulder, with the space doing half the selling. We also look ahead: AI could supercharge productivity, spawn new space types, or push conversions like data centers. At the same time, construction costs, carrying costs, and permitting delays still strain feasibility, while retail vacancies hint at broader civic drag that leadership and policy must confront.

If you care about how offices earn their keep—attracting talent, signalling brand, and making hard work feel easier—this conversation is a field guide. Hit play, share it with a teammate who’s rethinking their footprint, and if it resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what would genuinely get you back in the building?

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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