The Behar Group Realty Inc. has been retained by a powerhouse consortium—Tricon Residential, Blackstone, and CPP Investments—to lead strategic leasing and experiential retail curation at ROQ City, a transformative, music-themed mixed-use development rising in Toronto’s Downtown East.
The ambitious project will include a concert venue, themed park, a dynamic laneway activation dubbed Electric Avenue, high-density residential towers, a grocery anchor, pharmacy, and vibrant F&B programming—setting the stage for what is expected to become a globally significant cultural and commercial hub.
An Entertainment Destination with Global Ambitions
With a legacy spanning more than three decades, The Behar Group (TBG) has become one of Canada’s premier commercial real estate brokerages, known for its creative vision and deep expertise in helping their clients create synergistic, mixed-use communities. Its latest listing at ROQ City cements its growing specialization in the integration of live music and entertainment into urban placemaking.
“ROQ City will become an unparalleled music-themed development in Toronto’s east end, contributing meaningfully to the revitalization of a fast-transforming neighbourhood,” said Avi Behar, Chairman and CEO of The Behar Group. “We’re incredibly honoured to be entrusted with this vision. This project has the potential to become the cultural and entertainment anchor for a new generation of Torontonians—and a global model for how music can shape urban life.”
Click here to view the ROQ City marketing brochure
A Growing Portfolio of Music-Driven Real Estate
TBG brings a rare combination of technical expertise and cultural fluency to ROQ City. The firm has played an instrumental role in some of Canada’s most noteworthy live music venues, including:
History, the 2,700-capacity venue in The Beaches co-developed by Live Nation and Drake, with Pemberton as TBG’s landlord client, which has quickly become a premier destination for touring artists.
A recent lease at the Historic Silver Dollar Room at College and Spadina, helping creative landlord client Fitzrovia breathe new life into one of Toronto’s most iconic live music spaces.
“Placemaking today is about creating emotional resonance,” Behar added. “Music offers a timeless and authentic way to do that. Our experience with entertainment and performance-driven spaces gives us a unique edge in helping these districts thrive.”
That experience is no accident. Beyond his role as CEO of The Behar Group, Avi Behar is also an accomplished, lifelong professional musician and composer. He has performed concerts around the world, and this creative background continues to inform his vision for venue development, cultural programming, and experiential tenanting.
A Leader in Complex Mixed-Use Environments
In addition to its music and entertainment expertise, The Behar Group Landlord & Advisory Services divisions continue to be at the forefront of complex, multi-layered placemaking across Canada. Its growing listing portfolio includes:
- TABLE Fare + Social at CIBC SQUARE (Hines/Ivanhoé Cambridge) – A sophisticated culinary hall at Bay and Front, connected to Union Station and Scotiabank Arena.
- Waterworks Food Hall (Woodcliffe/MOD Developments) – A globally recognized adaptive reuse project in a heritage building downtown, combining hospitality, residential, and wellness.
- Mirvish Village (Westbank) – A transit-oriented cultural district featuring live music, food halls, colleges, micro-retail, and art-inspired public space.
- Roserock Place (Crestpoint) – A prominent office and retail destination at King and York, with strong potential to evolve into a premier mixed-use landmark at the heart of Toronto’s financial core.
- T3 Bayside & T3 Junction (Hines) – Next-generation timber-structured office and retail developments contributing to sustainable urban innovation in key growth districts.
- Mayfair West (Grosvenor) – A 14-acre community-focused mixed-use project in Vancouver’s prestigious Oakridge area, blending high-end residential, retail, and public amenities.
From Vision to Vibrancy
With ROQ City, The Behar Group continues to expand its impact on the evolution of Canadian cities—bringing together retail, entertainment, culture, and community in meaningful, future-forward ways.
“The development of amazing mixed-use environments, synergistic and cohesive districts, and thoughtful micro-communities is very achievable,” said Behar. “With bold creativity, strong vision, and a deep respect for culture and context, incredible things can happen. ROQ City will set a new standard for what’s possible—not just in Toronto, but in entertainment-driven urban development globally.”
Beyond Retail: A National Presence Across Asset Classes
While The Behar Group is widely recognized for its leadership in retail leasing and programmatic placemaking, its reach and expertise extend far beyond. With offices in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, and a strategic brokerage partnership with Realty Resources across the U.S., the firm is increasingly active in industrial, office, multi-family residential, land, hotel, automotive, and investment sales. Whether representing landlords, tenants, buyers, or sellers, TBG continues to build its national reputation as a trusted advisor across all commercial asset classes.
“Our brokers and advisors bring a broad and diverse range of experience to the table—many of whom have long operated in sectors beyond retail,” said Greg Evans, President and Broker of Record at The Behar Group. “As our platform expands geographically and across asset types, we’re proud to see the same excellence and creativity we’ve long been known for in retail now being recognized across industrial, office, multi-family, and beyond. It’s not just about leasing space—it’s about curating places, delivering value, and shaping the future of our cities.”
To explore how The Behar Group can support your next project, contact:
Avi Behar at abehar@thebehargroup.com
Greg Evans at gevans@thebehargroup.com
