Christian Chia & Jason Turcotte On The Evolution Of OpenForm Properties

Canadian drivers may soon notice more than just changing traffic patterns—instead of asphalt lots under car dealerships, many could witness condo towers and mixed-use buildings rising in their place. OpenRoad Auto Group, founded in 2000 by Christian Chia, now operates 35 dealerships across B.C., Ontario, and Washington State. In 2018, Chia launched its real-estate arm, OpenForm Properties, with a unique eye: turning expansive surface lots into housing and vibrant community hubs.

Chia attributes much of his business approach to early lessons learned while working at Toyota’s Tokyo office. “Toyota has always been about customer centricity, innovation … a spirit of partnership,” he said, crediting that philosophy for shaping OpenRoad's growth. He emphasizes treating customers like guests in one’s home—a mindset that helped the company grow from just three dealerships to the province’s largest auto retailer.

Owning dealership land was central to that strategy. More than 90 percent of OpenRoad’s 35 sites are owned rather than leased—providing Chia control and flexibility. That ownership mindset allowed the company to redevelop properties such as a 16-acre automotive mall in Langley into a more efficient, mixed-use space, even if demand ultimately led it back to automotive focus.

OpenForm Properties opened new doors with its first big project in Burnaby in 2021, targeting a Honda dealership site. The proposal included a 40-storey strata tower, a six-storey rental building with below-market units, townhouses, and structured parking—a significant shift from surface parking to dense housing.

Jason Turcotte joined OpenForm as President in summer 2024, bringing deep experience from Cressey Development Group and Darwin Properties. He leads the company’s growing slate of projects: residential, commercial and industrial sites. One flagship effort is a full-block redevelopment on Renfrew Street in Vancouver, planned for both market and below-market rentals starting construction in late 2025 and expected to wrap up in 2028.

If the housing crisis is Canada’s challenge, OpenForm’s approach is part of its solution. By transforming car dealership sites into homes and workplaces, the company applies a long-standing belief in land ownership, smart design, and community-centred development. That marriage of automotive assets and real-estate vision is carving a new path in how cities like Burnaby and Vancouver grow—and how underutilized land can fuel housing supply.