Land Acquisition to Approvals: A Detailed Conversation with Hoordad Ghandehari, OAA
Hoordad Ghandehari is a registered architect in Canada, is one of the two founding partners of Icon Architects. They specialize is multi-family and mixed-use high-rise, midrise and low-rise architecture.
Their firm has won numerous design awards, and is considered one the leading firms in the city. Icon Architects has over a dozen built communities, and is currently handling over 60 multi-family projects, spanning from Oshawa to the east, and Niagara Falls to the west, with the majority of their work being concentrated in the GTA.
In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, I welcome Hoordad Ghandehari, a licensed architect in Toronto with nearly three decades of experience. Hoordad shares insights from his journey, detailing his background, architectural practice, and significant milestones. The conversation encompasses crucial aspects of real estate development, particularly focusing on mixed-use and multifamily buildings.
Hoordad explains the importance of due diligence from land acquisition to approvals, design development, foundational architectural concepts, and key considerations for new developers in the real estate sector. He emphasizes the role of the team, the impact of regulatory frameworks, the aesthetics of urban architecture, and the importance of sustainability in construction.Â
- Understanding Real Estate Development Basics
- Key Considerations for New Projects
- Evaluating Initial Sketches and Site Suitability
- Navigating the Approval Process
- Balancing Personal Taste and Market Needs
- The Intersection of Architecture and Marketing
- Increasing Density Near Transit Stations
- The Role of Balconies in Modern Architecture
- Adapting to Changing Lifestyles
- Encouraging Unique Architectural Designs
- Advice for Aspiring Architects
