On November 14th, 2024, the Laidler Multiplex Showcase held at Science World brought together a vibrant community of developers, builders, and innovators to explore solutions for one of Canada’s most pressing housing issues—the “Missing Middle.” This event featured 10 different multiplex developers, each presenting their projects that are working to address the housing shortage in the city. The showcase offered attendees an opportunity to engage directly with the builders and learn about how they are transforming the urban landscape by developing compact, affordable multi-unit homes in existing neighbourhoods.
What is the Missing Middle?
The “Missing Middle” refers to a gap in the housing market, particularly in urban areas like Vancouver. It highlights the lack of mid-density housing options, such as townhomes, multiplexes, and low-rise apartments. These types of homes fall between single-family houses and large apartment buildings, offering an ideal solution for growing populations who need affordable housing options but don’t want to live in high-rise towers. By addressing this gap, the Missing Middle offers a way to increase housing availability in desirable neighbourhoods without sacrificing the character of communities. The Laidler Multiplex Showcase demonstrated how small builders are playing a critical role in filling this void, creating homes that are affordable, accessible, and sustainable.
Small Builders Leading the Way
The developers who showcased their projects at the event are at the forefront of the Missing Middle movement. These small builders are tackling the challenge of providing affordable housing in the Vancouver region by developing duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, sixplexes (aka multiplexes) each designed to integrate seamlessly into the urban fabric. The showcase highlighted a variety of creative solutions, from sustainable design features to innovative construction techniques, that make these projects not only viable but also desirable for homeowners.
What made the event even more special was the opportunity to meet the developers behind the projects, each of whom is passionate about solving the regions housing crisis. From creating smart, space-efficient layouts to navigating zoning and development hurdles, these builders are truly making a difference in how Vancouver will grow in the future.
Who Participated in the Laidler Multiplex Showcase?
- Mayor of Burnaby Mike Hurley: Welcome Address
- Laidler Development: Burnaby 12-Unit SSMUH Subdivision
- Lightwell Development: Raising Equity & 11 Active Vancouver Multiplex Projects
- City of Burnaby: Presentation by Carl Issak, Director of Neighbourhood Planning
- Costar Construction: 2024 Georgie Award Winner – Best Multiplex
- Averra Developments: Vancouver’s Leading Net Zero Home Builder
- Pooni Group: Address from Gary Pooni
- Suncap Investments: CMHC Rental Apartments in Port Alberni
- Icon Projects: Abbotsford Triplex Rowhouse Development
- Turnkey Multiplex: Burnaby 4-Storey Condo Multiplex
- Silver Leaf Homes: 4 Port Moody Single-Family Home Development
- Azure Properties 200 Condo and Apartment Units in New Westminster
addy’s Solution for Multiplexes
The event concluded with a keynote speech by Stephen Jagger, the co-founder of addy, a platform that is transforming the way people invest in real estate. Stephen took the stage to close out the showcase by sharing the story of how addy was created and why the platform is so crucial to solving problems like the Missing Middle. With addy, individuals can invest in real estate and participate in projects they might not otherwise have access to. By democratizing real estate investment, addy allows people to own a piece of a multiplex development, making the process of creating more affordable housing a shared effort.
Through addy, anyone, regardless of their financial background, can become an investor in real estate. Stephen emphasized how the platform is designed to empower people to join in the development process, ultimately making it easier for small builders to secure funding for projects that address critical housing needs.
Citizen Builders and Community Capital
The addy platform is revolutionizing real estate with two transformative concepts: Citizen Builder and Community Capital. The Citizen Builder concept empowers individuals to become real estate developers by leveraging their own land to create much-needed multiplexes, addressing the housing shortage while building personal and community wealth. Community Capital, on the other hand, enables anyone to invest in these projects through addy’s accessible platform, pooling resources from everyday people to fund impactful developments. By bringing these two ideas together, addy is the only platform that democratizes real estate, empowering individuals to shape their communities while giving everyone the opportunity to invest in and benefit from real estate development.
The Laidler Multiplex Showcase was a powerful reminder of the role that small builders, along with innovative platforms like addy, play in shaping the future of housing. It highlighted the importance of collaboration and creative solutions in tackling the housing crisis and ensuring that the Missing Middle is no longer missing from the regions urban landscape.
The Gram
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A pleasure to partner with addy on this project.