If you’d asked me as a kid what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer probably would’ve wavered somewhere between architect, real estate tycoon, or car designer. Turns out I managed to blend at least two of those into a singular profession — Architect Realtor — and some might argue I still design the occasional dream machine, though these days they usually have foundations and front doors.
Are you on the lookout for the perfect home that feels like it was designed with you in mind? You just might find it in my curated featured listings right here.
A Life Shaped by Architecture and Real Estate
I grew up immersed in the world of both design and property. My parents were both architects—my mother trained in Europe, my father in Canada. They met professionally, but my mother soon pivoted into real estate, recognizing early on that it could offer her the kind of independence and control she craved. She wasn’t wrong—she ended up selling about a house per week while also investing in her own portfolio of properties around Toronto.
I got my first taste of the business helping her out—ripping apart perforated listing sheets and organizing them into binders when I was 9 years old, cold-calling prospects through high school (a personal horror, but useful), and tagging along to collect rent from her rooming house tenants. Those early experiences gave me an innate sense of how real estate worked—and the colourful characters who inhabit it.
Are you thinking about investing in real estate and want to get it right from the get-go? Then be sure to read this first: Is There a Fast Buck in Real Estate? Advice from an Architect Realtor.
The Design Bug
Despite my parents’ warnings not to pursue architecture, I couldn’t resist. In high school, I’d finish my homework and start sketching houses (or car designs). I’d present my floor plans to my father, who would ruthlessly critique the relationship of rooms, proportions, facades, and function. It was a masterclass disguised as parenting. I was accepted to architecture schools in Chicago, Syracuse, and Toronto, ultimately choosing the University of Toronto. Somewhere in that mix, my father even floated the idea of car design at the Royal College of Art in London.
While at U of T, I completed my real estate courses one summer, with the idea that I could help my mother during summers. I never worked at a brokerage then, but she wanted me knowledgeable and licensable if I was going to be hosting open houses or speaking with clients. Smart woman.
As an Architect Realtor, I’ve gained a unique perspective on Toronto’s market. You can also gain an in-depth understanding of the nuanced world of real estate from the posts below:
- The Ultimate Guide to House Hunting in Toronto (With a Side of Humour)
- What Real Estate Reality Shows Don’t Tell You
- Lasting Quality in Toronto Homes: Features to Look For
- Smart Home Investments for a Refined Lifestyle
From Drawing Boards to Boardrooms
After graduation, I joined a major architecture firm, then moved into the world of cinema design for Cineplex—first planning theatres in New York, then managing their construction projects across Eastern Canada and California. That transitioned into commercial construction management, where I eventually became president of the firm I had moved to. We built exceptional projects and collaborated with some of the country’s top design talent.
At the turn of the century, I handed the company over to my business partner and redirected my energy (and equity) toward buying and building homes in Toronto. My focus was Lawrence Park, Teddington Park, and Hoggs Hollow—neighbourhoods that offered beauty, value, and character.
I began sourcing exceptional sites, designing new homes or doing full rebuilds, and preparing them for market. It was a natural evolution to become a real estate broker as well. After all, I knew the product better than anyone—I’d designed it, built it, and could answer any question about it, from waterproofing to window specifications.
Why It Makes Sense: Architect + Broker = Results
Being an Architect Real Estate Broker isn’t just about a quirky resume—it’s an incredibly powerful combination. Here’s why:
- Accurate Property Valuation
Architects assess properties beyond their current state, factoring in renovation potential and associated costs. This leads to smarter, more informed decisions and prevents overpaying.
- Design and Renovation Expertise
I can help clients visualize possibilities, sketch out design ideas, identify zoning opportunities, and help them navigate the process of permits and construction.
- Stronger Negotiation Power
With an understanding of building codes, structural challenges, and resale potential, I bring substance to the negotiation table.
- Contextual Value
Architects see what others miss—heritage opportunities, overlooked lot potential, or the hidden beauty of a well-located teardown.
- Efficient Property Search
I help clients avoid wasting time. I can quickly tell whether a property is worth pursuing, and if it can meet their needs with some reimagining.
- Problem Solving & Insight
Trained to solve complex spatial and technical problems, I approach buying and selling with the same mindset—proactive, analytical, and detail-oriented.
- Understanding Market and Construction Trends
As a Architect realtor with a foot in both the design and real estate worlds, I’m constantly tuned into where the market and building industry are headed.
Why More Architects Should Get Their Real Estate License
It’s a question I asked myself years ago. As an architect, you often wait for clients to come to you. But in real estate? You’re the first person they call. In the GTA alone, there are over 75,000 licensed real estate agents—but how many of them have architectural training? Very few. Yet nearly every home is bought or sold with an agent. Most homeowners never engage an architect, which I find unacceptable.
By becoming a broker, I’ve been able to bridge that gap—bringing architectural thinking into the hands of everyday buyers and sellers. Which means as a Architect Real Estate Broker I’m not only helping clients find or sell a property, I’m helping them uncover value, realize design potential, and navigate decisions with clarity.
It’s not just a job. It’s a privilege—and a pretty fun ride so far.
If you’re considering buying or selling a property—or dreaming about what it could become—let’s talk. I bring more than just a license (or two) to the table. Get in touch today by calling 416-824-1242, emailing robert@lifeofluxury.ca, or filling out the form on this page.
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