[Westmount, QC – June 18, 2026] – Forum is marking 25 years of the partnership that built the company. As a privately held Canadian real estate developer with offices in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta, we pair nationwide reach with a commitment to making a lasting, positive impact in the markets where we operate.
The milestone traces to 2001, when the founding partners behind Forum’s regional businesses came together — setting in motion the model of local ownership and national scale that defines the company today.
Our approach has always been grounded in the communities we serve: building spaces that reflect local needs and everyday life. While the Forum brand itself was unified more recently, in 2018, this milestone reflects the depth of experience, partnerships, and entrepreneurial vision that shaped our evolution. It is a celebration of our shared history and collective growth.
Forum’s earliest roots reach back to 1988, when Paul Schachter and Harry Hart first set out to build a real estate
“When I joined Brentwood Developments in 2001, our focus was simple: build quality projects and earn lasting relationships in our own backyard. Twenty-five years later, that same hands-on commitment is what ties everything together at Forum, only now on a national scale,” said Jay McMartin, Founding Partner at Forum.
Guided by this combined leadership team, Forum was established to create a shared national platform driven by regional insight. This approach became the foundation of our signature slogan: "Local Expertise. National Reach.” Behind this is a commitment we’ve carried for over two decades: developing spaces that become the heart of the neighbourhoods we serve.
“Coming together in 2018 was about uniting three strong regional businesses into one platform without losing what made each of us successful. Forum reflects the best of all of us: local knowledge backed by national strength,” said Dean Mendel, Founding Partner at Forum.
As a full-service real estate developer, we manage all aspects of the process including due diligence, acquisition, land use planning, construction, leasing and property management. This integrated approach ensures continuity, quality, and efficiency for shopping centres, mixed-use developments, and residential properties across the country and allows us to stay closely connected to our projects and the communities around them.
Our regional teams lead the way, bringing deep market knowledge and proven expertise to every stage of development. Relationships remain at the core of how Forum grows, as we partner closely with tenants, vendors, and community stakeholders to create spaces that enrich the neighbourhoods they serve.
"After twenty-five years, what stands out most is that this business is built on relationships. The partners, tenants, and teams who have grown alongside us are the reason Forum has thrived, and they are exactly who we want to celebrate with this milestone." — Paul Schachter, Founding Partner at Forum.
Our success and national growth reflect the people and organizations who have shared our vision to build lasting communities. We extend our deepest gratitude to those who have built this legacy with us:
To our dedicated employees: thank you for your unwavering commitment, practical insight, and the hard work that brings our properties to life every day.
To our tenants and clients: thank you for consistently choosing Forum. Providing the spaces where your businesses and lives thrive remains our greatest privilege.
To our valued vendors, suppliers, and business partners: your collaboration and shared expertise are the foundation of our high-quality developments.
To the community stakeholders across Canada: thank you for partnering with us to shape the vibrant neighbourhoods we serve.
“What excites me most is what comes next. The experience we’ve built over 25 years gives us a strong foundation to keep growing, delivering well-designed spaces and managing every stage of development for the tenants, partners, and markets that count on us,” said Toby Singlehurst, Founding Partner at Forum.
Twenty-five years ago, the partnership behind Forum took shape, uniting a shared entrepreneurial spirit across regions. Today, we continue to build on that collective experience while keeping communities at the centre of everything we do, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone across the regions we call home.