Land Assemblies in Greater Vancouver & Kelowna

What Is a Land Assembly?

A land assembly is when two or more neighbouring properties are sold together as one larger site, usually to a developer who plans to redevelop the land at a higher density. Instead of each owner selling their home individually, the group combines their lots to create a more attractive development site.

For homeowners, this can mean accessing value that goes beyond what a single detached home or single lot is worth on its own. For developers, a land assembly can unlock enough frontage, depth, and site area to make multi-family housing or mixed-use projects financially viable.

In Greater Vancouver and Kelowna, where land is limited and demand for housing is high, land assemblies have become a key way to create new homes near transit, services, and growing urban centres.

Why Land Assemblies Matter Right Now in BC

British Columbia is actively pushing for more housing near transit and in established communities. Several new provincial housing laws, including Bill 47 (Transit-Oriented Areas), require cities to allow higher densities and heights within walking distance of rapid transit stations and major bus exchanges

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) focuses development within roughly 800 metres of frequent transit, encouraging mid-rise and high-rise housing, mixed-use buildings, and walkable neighbourhoods.

For many single-family and small multi-family sites in these areas, this shift means:

- Higher potential building heights and floor space ratios (FSRs) than before

- More interest from developers seeking assembly-ready sites around stations and town centres

- A growing gap between “single-lot resale value” and “assembly value” when properties are grouped together

In Kelowna and the Okanagan, a similar pattern is emerging around urban centres and transit-supported corridors, where assemblages of single-family lots are being packaged for mid-rise residential or mixed-use redevelopment.

If your property sits near transit, a town centre, or an established growth corridor, understanding its land assembly potential is becoming just as important as knowing its individual resale value.

Who Benefits From a Land Assembly?

Homeowners & Strata Owners:

For individual homeowners, a land assembly can be an opportunity to:

- Access a sale price that reflects future redevelopment potential, not just today’s house value

- Coordinate with neighbours instead of negotiating alone

- Work with a professional who manages the process, timelines, and complex offer structures

This can be especially beneficial for older homes, large lots, or properties in areas where zoning or planning policy is shifting towards higher density.

Strata owners in older townhouse or condo complexes may also consider selling as a group if their building is under-built for the site, needs significant repairs, or lies within a growth or transit-oriented area.

Developers & Builders:

Developers and builders benefit when:

- Multiple lots are pre-aligned or already organized into an assembly

- There is a clear understanding of zoning, OCP, and transit-oriented development (TOD) guidelines for the area

- Expectations on pricing and timelines are realistic and well-managed

My role is to sit in the middle: educating owners, aligning a group strategy, and presenting developers with sites that make planning and underwriting more straightforward.

Land Assembly Opportunities by City

Burnaby land assembly - amanda helou - doma group - exp realty

Burnaby Land Assemblies

Burnaby has become one of Metro Vancouver’s most active redevelopment hubs, with entire neighbourhoods transforming around Metrotown, Brentwood, Lougheed and Edmonds. Older single-family streets within these town centres and within walking distance of SkyTrain are often reviewed for assembly into larger multi-family, mixed-use or even master planning community sites.

coquitlam land assembly - amanda helou - doma group - exp realty

Coquitlam Land Assemblies

Coquitlam is rapidly evolving around its SkyTrain stations and town centres, making it a key market for land assemblies. Areas near Coquitlam Centre, Lincoln, Lafarge Lake–Douglas, and Burquitlam stations, as well as key arterials feeding into these hubs, are often considered for higher-density projects. Older single-family pockets and underutilized sites in these corridors can be strong candidates for townhouse, low-rise, or mid-rise redevelopment.

port moody land assembly - amanda helou - doma group - exp realty

Port Moody Land Assemblies

Port Moody offers a smaller, more boutique set of land assembly opportunities, with strong demand focused around transit and the waterfront. Neighbourhoods near Moody Centre and Inlet Centre stations, and along key routes connecting to the SkyTrain and West Coast Express, are of particular interest to developers. Older homes and mixed-use sites in these walkable areas may support thoughtful infill, low-rise, or mixed-use redevelopment that fits Port Moody’s village-style character.

kelowna land assemblies with amanda helou

Kelowna & Okanagan Land Assemblies

Kelowna and the broader Okanagan are seeing substantial interest from developers assembling land near urban centres, transit-supported corridors, and growing residential nodes. Assemblies of multiple single-family lots can support mid-rise residential, mixed-use projects, or higher-density townhouse communities, especially in places like Rutland, Glenmore, and key arterial corridors.

How the Land Assembly Process Works

Every land assembly is different, but most follow the same basic path. My job is to guide you through each stage so you know what to expect and never feel rushed or pressured.

Step 1: Planning, Feasibility & Strategy

First, I look at your property through a “developers lens”:

- Current zoning and OCP designation
- Any transit-oriented or higher-density policies in the area
- Recent rezonings, assemblies, or development applications nearby

From there, I give you an honest opinion on whether a land assembly is realistic, or if a traditional sale makes more sense. If an assembly looks viable, I then map out:

- Which neighbouring properties likely need to join
- Whether the best play is townhomes, low-rise, or mid-rise
- A pricing strategy that reflects future potential, not just today’s house value

The goal is to have a clear, realistic plan before we involve neighbours or developers.

Step 2: Neighbour Outreach & Aligning the Group

Next, I speak with your neighbours to explain:

- What a land assembly is (in plain English)
- Why your street or block may be attractive to a developer
- The possible benefits, risks, and timelines

This stage is often slow and conversational. Many owners have lived in their homes for decades and need time, information, and space to think. Once enough owners are interested, we work on aligning expectations:

- A reasonable price range for each property
- Preferred completion dates and move-out timing
- How flexible each owner is on subjects and terms

A land assembly only works when the group is broadly on the same page. My role is to keep everyone informed, organized, and realistic.

Step 3: Presenting the Site to Developers

With a committed group and basic pricing in place, I present the opportunity to developers and builders who are active in that specific area and product type. This can include:

- Site details and rough density potential
- Context on zoning, OCP, and transit-oriented policies
- Any early planning or design feedback we’ve gathered

Here, the goal is to generate serious interest from the right kind of buyers, not just blast the site out to anyone.

Step 4: Offers, Negotiation & Conditions

When a developer is ready to move forward, we negotiate an offer that may include:

- Longer completion dates or phased completions
- Time for due diligence, rezoning, or feasibility work
- Deposits tied to key milestones

I negotiate on your behalf, aiming for strong pricing while structuring the deal so it still works for a serious developer.

Step 5: From Accepted Offer to Completion

Once an offer is accepted, there is still a lot to manage:

- Tracking conditions and timelines
- Coordinating lawyers, paperwork, and any required extensions
- Keeping all owners updated as the file moves forward

I stay involved through to completion, so you have a single point of contact and don’t have to chase answers from multiple parties.

Land Assembly Expertise in Partnership With Doma Group

Land assemblies aren’t something a single agent can or should handle alone. They require deep planning knowledge, careful negotiation, and a team that understands how developers think and how municipalities make decisions.

I handle the day-to-day communication with you and your neighbours, but every land assembly I work on is supported by Doma Group, a development-focused real estate team that specializes in assembling and selling prime sites across Greater Vancouver.

Doma Group combines:

- Over 26 years of experience in real estate and development land
- More than $1.5 Billion in closed sales volume across residential and land deals
- A strong network of active developers and builders
- A data-driven approach to zoning, OCP, and transit-oriented policy

I also work closely with my senior mentor on complex files, so you benefit from both hands-on support and high-level strategy. Together, our focus is simple: to organize your group properly, negotiate with the right buyers, and help you unlock the best possible outcome for your property or block.

25+

Years of Experience
$1,500,000,000

in Total Residential & Land Sales
$350,000,000+

Million in Active Listings
100+

Active Listings in BC

Want to learn more about Doma Group and the team?

Land Assembly FAQ

How do I know if my property has land assembly potential?

Key clues include: being close to a SkyTrain station or major bus exchange, falling within a town centre or growth corridor, or having a more intensive land use designation in the OCP than your current zoning reflects. The best way to know is to have a focused review of your property’s planning context and recent nearby development activity.

Do all of my neighbours need to participate?

Will I definitely get more than selling on my own?

How long does a land assembly take?

What happens if the market changes during the process?

Can I still buy another home if my closing date is far in the future?

I am a developer, how can I see your current and upcoming land assemblies?

Request a Land Assembly Evaluation

Amanda Helou

Email: info@listwithamanda.com Tel: +1(778) 798-0656