Windsor’s real estate market trends landscape is evolving rapidly as we head into 2025. Shifts in market demand are reshaping what gets built, where investments flow, and how developers position themselves for success.
In this episode of the DIAL IN Podcast, David Mill sat down with Josh Burns, Development Manager at Fortis Group, to break down the key trends shaping Windsor’s real estate market for the coming year. From the rise of flex spaces and purpose-built rentals to the resurgence of condos, Josh shared his perspective on what’s in demand and why.
The Rise of Purpose-Built Rentals and Industrial Expansion
If there’s one certainty in Windsor’s 2025 development market, it’s the growing need for purpose-built rentals. These projects—designed specifically for long-term renting—are popping up everywhere, and according to Josh, that’s not going to slow down anytime soon.
"You’re going to continue to see [purpose-built rentals] pop up left and right," Josh explained. With homeownership becoming less accessible for many, demand for high-quality rental housing remains strong.
Additionally, Windsor’s industrial development sector is set to grow, driven in large part by the EV battery plant and its related industries. Developers are increasingly looking at industrial land as a major investment opportunity, with the potential for long-term stability.
Flex Spaces: The Commercial Shift
One of the most notable trends gaining traction is the rise of flex spaces—a hybrid of industrial, commercial, and office real estate that offers businesses affordable ownership opportunities.
"We’ve noticed a huge influx of flex space developments, completing three in just the past month," Josh said.
With companies seeking cost-effective office solutions and programs in place to help businesses move into dedicated spaces, flex developments are filling a critical gap. Unlike traditional office buildings, these projects function similarly to condo complexes, where businesses share costs while maintaining independent ownership.
Much like condos boomed in previous years, flex spaces appear to be the next wave of commercial real estate development.
A Condo Comeback?
For the past few years, Windsor’s condo market has been relatively quiet. However, that’s starting to change.
"The condo market has been very quiet for new developments, but I think you might see a pickup,"Josh noted.
He pointed out that new pre-sales and project launchescould gain momentum in 2025, especially as developers refine their approach to design, amenities, and overall market appeal.
At Fortis Group, they’ve already played a role in this shift, with projects like Soho setting a new precedent for higher-quality condo developments in Windsor.
"We’re seeing more care, detail, and design in condo projects now than we did eight years ago. Developers are pushing to create something more refined, not just the basic products we saw in the past."
With renewed interest in urban living and well-designed multi-residential developments, the condo market could be poised for a resurgence in Windsor.
What to Watch in 2025
Real estate in Windsor is moving in cycles, and 2025 is set to be a year of transition. Developers who recognize the shift toward flex spaces, purpose-built rentals, and industrial growth will be in the best position to capitalize on market trends.
Meanwhile, a potential condo revival suggests a renewed focus on quality, design, and functionality, catering to evolving buyer preferences.
As always, agility remains the key to success—developers who adapt quickly to changing demand will be the ones shaping the future of Windsor’s real estate market.
Watch the Full Conversation
This is just the beginning. Watch the full episode of Dial In Podcast to hear Josh Burns’ full breakdown of Windsor’s 2025 real estate trends.
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Clip Transcript: WINDSOR REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS 2025
David Mill
Now Josh looking forward into 2025.
Josh Burns
Yeah.
David Mill
What project types do you see the most in demand? Commercial? Flex space? Multi-residential condos? Purpose built rentals?
Josh Burns
Well, I think, you know, residential there's going to be a strain on residential moving forward. The condo market has been very quiet in new developments for the past couple of years. I think you might see a little bit of a pickup in the condo market with respect to pre-sales and projects that will be kind of breaking ground potentially next year. Purpose built rentals are in demand. I think that, you know, you guys are doing some interesting stuff with respect to the commercial condos or light industrial condos.
David Mill
Flex space.
Josh Burns
Yeah, yeah, the flex space. I think you're going to see a lot more of that type of stuff, I think is very cool. I think that there's a demand for that. I also think industrial land and development is going to be at the forefront for the next little bit, just with all the stuff that we have coming in with respect to the EV battery plant. But yeah, I think you're going to see a couple of condo projects probably come in the next 12 months.
David Mill
Yeah.
Josh Burns
And then definitely, you know, purpose built rentals are just popping up like left and right. You're going to continue to see those as well.
David Mill
Yeah. We definitely see an influx of flex spaces recently having done three flex developments in the past month, is having more affordable office space for businesses. And there are programs in place to assist companies financially to move into an office space. Because owning your own office space is not an affordable from just past history sure is not really affordable. So these flex spaces offer an opportunity to build as though it was a condominium complex. So you have your common fees, things like that. And everyone shares the same area, the same building. And we noticed that because there's this new fresh opportunity, just like when condos were really popping off a few years back, kind of during Covid, I feel like development goes in phases, right. It goes kind of for sure, you know, ebbs and flows.
Josh Burns
And I really feel like, like you mentioned, the commercial space is going to be, you know, popular moving forward. And flex spaces are very popular right now. And we do we both do see a comeback for condos. And I think that, you know, in the Windsor market, with respect to condos kind of moving forward is we've taken a bit of a step, you know, maybe, you know, let's call it eight years ago, you see a certain product that was kind of just a basic product. You know what I mean? When the condo market was kind of emerging, I think now we're seeing a little more care and detail, design associated with some of these projects.
David Mill
Yeah.
Josh Burns
And I think Soho is a project that we developed at Fortis Group that we're very proud of, I think was a bit of a linchpin when it comes to, you know, some of the product that you're going to see kind of coming to market in the next little bit. You know, changing the palette, adding a few features here and there. And we're going to expand on that ourselves when we do our next project. But yeah, I think you're going to see some cool stuff coming to market. And I, you know, I'm very excited and proud of our group at Fortis for what we've delivered to date. And I think that we were very integral in kind of making some of those changes in the market and what you're going to see. There's, you know, there's a number of other good developers that have done some good projects. You were involved in one, you know, yourself. But but yeah, we're looking forward to, you know, what we have kind of in the wings. So yeah, we got some cool stuff coming.
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