At Choice Properties, we don’t just own, develop and manage properties, we are creating spaces where people and communities can thrive. We achieve this in part through our Placemaking activations that are designed to create experiences. The latest being transforming parking “lots” into “lots” of play (pun intended) in the summer of 2025.
“ESG is fundamental to how we create long-term value, and Placemaking is one of the most tangible ways we bring it to life. As Canada’s largest landlord, with a transformational development pipeline, we have a responsibility to think beyond the built form and focus on creating spaces where people want to spend time, local businesses can thrive, and communities feel connected.”
Orit Sarfaty
Vice President, Sustainability & Placemaking
Bringing “Lots of Play” to life was no small feat.
Over four weeks, we hosted four days of free arts programming for all ages at four Toronto locations from the Golden Mile Plaza in Scarborough, to The Annex and Roncesvalles in the West End, and finally Fort York in the Downtown Core. [insert a map element to show these locations] Each site became a hub for creativity, where community members gathered to paint, dance and make music.
Placemaking at Choice: Design with Purpose,
Activate with Intent and Collaborate for Impact.
This activation wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership of our charity partner VIBEArts, whose team helped bring this vision to life. They commissioned 25+ local artists to transform parking lots into creative community hubs. These talented artists led participatory workshops and invited community members to co-create murals that reflected the unique identity of each neighbourhood. All this to create a stronger sense of connection with the community.
Lots of Play in Numbers
11.2K
Impressions*
1.5K
Engagements**
39:38
Average Dwell Time
at each activation
25+
Local Artists
64
Workshops/
Performances
90
Programming Hours
3
Community Murals
“The outcome was exactly what we had hoped for: Lots of people having lots of fun.”
Golshan Adbmoulaire
VIBEArts Program Director
“[This is] Pretty cool. Didn’t think there would be games in a parking lot.”
Community Resident
“Speaking to kids and the artist fosters a sense of oneness. I felt very connected.”
Community Resident
“[I like how] you took a space that was empty before and completely transformed it.”
Community Resident
What’s next?
While “Lots of Play” began as a summer activation, we now see firsthand how reimagining everyday spaces can spark joy, strengthen belonging and build communities.
This is just the beginning. We will continue creating places that bring people together, help local businesses thrive, foster social cohesion and ensure our properties are places where people thrive.
Learn about our approach to Placemaking in the latest ESG Report.
*Impressions: Community members who were at a standard 50F radius of the censor.
**Engagements: Community members spending an hour and a half to 3 hours at the location.