On February 27, 2025, Archistar Canada Connect brought together real estate professionals, government representatives, and technology leaders in Vancouver, BC, for an evening dedicated to sharing insights, storytelling, and exploring the future of AI-driven real estate development. Hosted at Deloitte’s office, this event showcased how Archistar is transforming building permit approvals and increasing housing supply through AI technology and automation.
A Gathering of Visionaries
The event attracted a dynamic mix of real estate professionals, government officials, housing policy experts, and technology innovators. With an outstanding turnout, it created a space for rich discussions on the intersection of AI, real estate development, and urban planning.
Attendees experienced firsthand how AI-driven compliance technology is reshaping the industry, cutting through red tape, and improving the efficiency of building approvals—a key challenge in many Canadian cities.
Key Presentation Highlights
State of the BC Real Estate Market
Industry leaders Trevor Koot (CEO) and Trevor Hargreaves (SVP Government Relations) from the BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) provided a deep dive into the British Columbia real estate market, covering:
- ORE data environment and how real estate transactions are evolving.
- Government and regulatory involvement in property development.
- Housing market trends and future outlook.
They also discussed compliance frameworks such as OECD Privacy Guidelines, APEC Privacy Framework, and GDPR, highlighting the increasing role of data governance in real estate.
Harnessing AI for Faster Building Permit Approvals
Dr. Benjamin Coorey, Founder of Archistar, delivered an engaging presentation on how AI can accelerate building permit approvals and streamline housing supply. Addressing the inefficiencies of the traditional permitting process, Dr. Coorey highlighted:
- The time-consuming nature of review cycles.
- Frequent resubmissions leading to project delays.
- A City of Austin case study demonstrating how permitting delays increase costs and reduce customer satisfaction.
Dr. Coorey introduced Archistar’s market-leading eCheck compliance solution, a groundbreaking platform that simplifies permit applications with AI-powered compliance checks. This solution offers:
✅ Automated compliance assessments for PDF and CAD submissions.
✅ Intuitive pass/fail indicators for setbacks, heights, and garage placements.
✅ Advanced AI validation for ceiling heights, hallway widths, and spatial measurements.
✅ Instant feedback for developers, reducing submission errors and delays.
The future of digital permitting was outlined through five levels of automation, with Level 5 offering instant approvals—a game changer for the real estate industry.
Real-World Case Studies
City of Vancouver: Modernizing Permit Approvals
Representatives Rebecca Doel and Rene Cravioto from the City of Vancouver shared insights into their service modernization initiative, which aims to create:
- Transparent, predictable, and customer-friendly permitting services.
- A digital-first approach to processing applications.
- A scalable AI-driven system for low-density housing projects.
A key highlight was the 2024 pilot program for laneway homes, where Archistar’s technology is digitizing plan checks, reducing processing times, and improving applicant experience.
City of Surrey: AI-Powered Pre-Compliance Checks
Leaders Jessica Wonfor and Michelle Legge from the City of Surrey discussed their AI-driven pre-approval process, designed to:
- Speed up permitting for affordable housing—supported by a $95 million grant from CMHC.
- Improve compliance accuracy, reducing back-and-forth with applicants.
- Pilot a self-serve digital application system to streamline approvals.
Their experience demonstrated how Archistar’s AI compliance tool has the flexibility to adapt to specific city regulations, paving the way for broader adoption across Canada.
Final Thoughts: The Future of AI in Real Estate
Archistar Canada Connect 2025 showcased the transformative power of AI in real estate development. The event reinforced how AI-driven compliance tools are not just increasing efficiency but fundamentally reshaping urban development—helping cities meet the growing demand for housing.
With Archistar leading the charge, the future of building permit approvals is faster, smarter, and more collaborative than ever before.
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Discover how Archistar’s AI solutions can streamline your next project at www.archistar.ai
