Lots of Play — Beyond the Building
Reimagining What
Real Estate Can Be
At Choice Properties, placemaking is how we bring our ESG commitments to life. It is how we transform everyday spaces into welcoming places that spark connection, creativity and community.
“ESG shapes 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 buildings and create spaces where people want to spend time, where local businesses can thrive, and where communities feel connected.”
Orit Sarfaty
Vice President, Sustainability & Placemaking
This philosophy inspired Lots of Play, our placemaking program that transforms everyday retail and residential environments into destinations for art, imagination and belonging. It reflects our belief that great real estate serves a greater purpose: creating vibrant, resilient neighbourhoods where everyone feels at home.
Why Placemaking Matters to Choice
Placemaking is about creating spaces where people feel connected, included and inspired. At Choice Properties, we design and activate our properties with intention, working with partners and communities to bring spaces to life.
What We Do
- Add art, design and thoughtful amenities to enhance the experience of our properties.
- Host cultural and community events that bring people together.
- Offer free and accessible programming in collaboration with local organizations.
What It Creates
- A stronger sense of belonging and community pride.
- Increased foot traffic and support for local businesses.
- More meaningful engagement for tenants and colleagues.
- Deeper, long-lasting relationships within neighbourhoods.
- Offer free ‘meanwhile spaces’ for arts-based organization looking for temporary tenancy.
This work supports our commitment to strengthening communities and creating real estate that serves people first.
Lots of Play in Action
In July 2025, Lots of Play traveled across Toronto, transforming parking lots and sidewalks into creative community spaces. Every Thursday through Sunday, neighbours came together to paint, build, dance and celebrate local talent.
The series began at Golden Mile Plaza in Scarborough and continued through The Annex, Roncesvalles and Fort York. At each stop, people gathered to make art, share music and experience their neighbourhoods in a new way. In July 2025, Lots of Play traveled across Toronto, transforming parking lots and sidewalks into creative community spaces. Every Thursday through Sunday, neighbours came together to paint, build, dance and celebrate local talent.
Artsy Thursdays
Painting, sketching, and preparation for murals by local artists that would come to turn blank walls and canvases into community art pieces.
Crafty Fridays
Hands-on workshops for all ages, from button-making and t-shirt embellishment to family-friendly crafts.
Music Saturdays
Drumming workshops, live music sets, and sonic exploration that brought rhythm and energy to the plazas.
Celebration Sundays
A vibrant mix of movement, music, and visual arts that closed each weekend on a high note.
Partner Spotlight
VIBE Arts
To bring Lots of Play to life, we partnered with VIBE Arts, an organization committed to making the arts accessible in communities across the city.
VIBE’s artists collaborated with neighbours of all ages through workshops, mural-making and shared creative experiences that celebrated the character of each neighbourhood.
This partnership embodies our approach to placemaking: creating programming with communities, not just for them.
“Art should not be a privilege. It should be part of everyday life. Through our partnership with Choice, we have been able to make the arts accessible, joyful and community-led, right where people live, shop and gather.”
Golshan Abdmoulaie
VIBE Arts, Executive Director
The Impact
Why We Do This
- Placemaking strengthens relationships by putting community at the centre.
- Activations support both local economies and tenant success.
- Even small shifts in how space is used can meaningfully change how people experience our properties.
Looking Ahead
Lots of Play is more than a seasonal event. It is a scalable model for placemaking across our portfolio. From plazas to patios, we will continue creating spaces that bring people together, support local businesses and foster a sense of belonging in the communities we serve.