Ian Macmillan: Investor & Developer

Ian Macmillan: Investor & Developer With 20+ years in film and TV as a cinematographer, I’ve mastered high-stakes projects, leadership, and problem-solving under pressure.

I bring that experience to my work as a developer, and investor, creating housing solutions in Toronto and beyond. With 20+ years in film and TV as a cinematographer, I’ve mastered high-stakes project management, team leadership, and problem-solving under pressure. Now, I’m channeling that experience into my work as a real estate developer, creating high-density, sustainable housing solutions in T

oronto’s urban core. My journey into real estate is driven by a lifelong passion for architecture, design, and community-building. Every project I take on is a step toward revitalizing our neighborhoods through gentle densification—developing multi-unit properties and energy-efficient homes that address housing demand while enhancing the urban landscape. I believe in transforming outdated properties into modern, eco-friendly spaces that add value and support sustainable growth.
💡 What I’m Building Now:
High-density, eco-focused developments that add value to communities
Projects in Toronto’s West End with plans to expand to other urban markets across Canada
A network of partners and mentors, including Ontario’s top developers, as I continue to learn, innovate, and bring visionary spaces to life
If you're passionate about sustainable development, urban revitalization, or investment opportunities in impactful projects, let’s connect and explore ways to collaborate.

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗩 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀We're making the first of what will likely be many trips with a prospective investm...
06/03/2026

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗩 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀

We're making the first of what will likely be many trips with a prospective investment partner to revisit the very first property where we started contract negotiations last November.

It's exciting to think that OTSO could be getting closer to its first anchor project and taking another step toward becoming something real, tangible, and impactful.

We're also staying at what could potentially become our second project and hope to meet with the owner and management team while we're there. Lots of conversations, lots of learning, and hopefully a few big steps forward.

Sometimes progress isn't about moving fast, it's about continuing to show up, have the conversations, and build relationships with the right people.

Thanks for following along on the journey. Exciting updates ahead.

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼After over four weeks in BC and a weekend trip to Ottawa to spend time with my sister-in-law for ...
06/02/2026

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼

After over four weeks in BC and a weekend trip to Ottawa to spend time with my sister-in-law for Atlas‘s second birthday and to run the Ottawa half marathon. I am back in Toronto for three sleeps before hitting the road to Puerto Vallarta for four days with Ryan and some perspective partners. The road has been hard hit over the last four months pretty much constantly in some kind of transition from one space to the next, and it will be like that at least until the end of June, so getting used to always being on the move. But we’re seeing consistent progress on the project so ultimately this is all worthwhile. Hopefully, there’s always a nice soft place to sleep at the end of the day and good people around to wake up to.

06/01/2026

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴

The financing process for our laneway house project continues, and a big part of that right now is working through property valuations and comparables in central Toronto.

We’ve seen similar properties range anywhere from $1.8M to $2.5M, which makes for a pretty interesting conversation with appraisers and lenders.

For the project to be viable, we’re aiming for an as-complete value of around $2.15M. The existing property appraised at $1.565M when we renewed our mortgage in the fall, and we’re optimistic that value has increased since then, especially with the additional value a laneway house can bring.

At the same time, the reality is that Kim and I still need to qualify for the financing needed to move everything forward.

Part of the long-term strategy has always been operating the property as a triplex so rental income can help offset mortgage costs. In a city like Toronto, high rents can actually become part of the solution if the property is structured the right way.

Development projects are always a mix of vision, patience, and financial planning, and we’re continuing to move forward one step at a time.

For those involved in real estate or development, how are you navigating financing and property valuations right now?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗧𝗦𝗢 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿The past six months have been full of momentum, conversations, opportunities, and a few unexpecte...
05/29/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗧𝗦𝗢 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿

The past six months have been full of momentum, conversations, opportunities, and a few unexpected turns.

We’ve been working on building a portfolio of boutique hospitality properties across Mexico and Costa Rica, bringing projects to investors and partners while exploring what the future of OTSO could become.

Then, within one week:
• One property went under contract with another investor
• Another opportunity paused after months of discussions

It’s easy to get discouraged when plans suddenly shift, but this process has been a reminder to never get too comfortable in business.

The good news is we’re still having strong conversations with investors who believe in the long-term vision. Instead of forcing movement, we’re using this time to regroup, tighten our focus, and make sure every next step is intentional.

Delays don’t always mean failure. Sometimes they’re just space to prepare for a better move ahead.

We’re staying patient, staying focused, and continuing forward.

Would love to hear from others in development, hospitality, or business, how do you handle sudden pivots or delays in projects?

Growth takes many forms
05/28/2026

Growth takes many forms

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀Work is officially beginning at 47 Upper Railway Street in Inverness.This week we started opening ...
05/27/2026

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Work is officially beginning at 47 Upper Railway Street in Inverness.

This week we started opening up parts of the building and removing the old so we can prepare for what comes next. Seeing inside the walls and structure gives us a much clearer understanding of what the property needs moving forward, and it’s exciting to finally begin this stage of the project.

We’re still wrapping up permit requirements, but being able to get inside and start planning the next phase makes everything feel very real. After spending so much time focused on the land side of the project, severances, rezoning, and preparing the property, we’re finally stepping into the construction phase.

With the deeds complete, the horizontal development portion is now behind us, and we’re beginning the vertical side of the project: creating new residential units and bringing new life to the property.

There’s still a long road ahead, but it’s exciting to see the first real signs of transformation taking shape.

Looking forward to sharing more updates as the project progresses.

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀Preparing for work in Inverness.This week marks the beginning of removing the old so we can begin ...
05/27/2026

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Preparing for work in Inverness.

This week marks the beginning of removing the old so we can begin building the new at 47 Upper Railway Street in Inverness. Opening up the walls and seeing inside the structure gives us a clearer understanding of what this building truly needs for its next chapter. It’s the start of a very exciting process that we’ve been eagerly anticipating for quite some time.

We’re still finalizing permit requirements, but finally getting inside the property allows us to complete takeoffs, schedules, and planning with much more clarity. It’s the moment where this shifts from being purely a development project into an active construction project, a transition we’ve been looking forward to since the beginning.

Up until now, much of the work has been focused on horizontal development: improving the land itself through severances, rezoning, and creating new opportunities on the property. With the deeds now complete, that phase is officially behind us.

Now begins the vertical development stage, creating new residential units and bringing a long-term vision into reality. Over the coming months and years, we’ll start seeing meaningful transformation as an existing property evolves into a new residential opportunity for the Inverness community.

Excited to continue sharing the journey as progress unfolds.

𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲We’re getting accustomed to being in Vancouver. We had lunch yesterday with a couple of Kim’s friends, dis...
05/26/2026

𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲

We’re getting accustomed to being in Vancouver. We had lunch yesterday with a couple of Kim’s friends, discussing what it would be like to live in this city. There’s probably a lot of pros and cons to ever living in Vancouver. The homelessness situation here is pretty dire. It’s intense to see what East Hastings looks like, the energy around some of the public squares. Seeing Atlas’s love affair with the beach, it’s hard to deny the potential of living in a community like this. There’s very little in the world that Attie enjoys as much as the beach. Every day it’s been a struggle to keep him from climbing into the water from the many beach accesses along the Seawall. His sheer joy of seeing boats and throwing rocks in the water is pretty special.

Vancouver’s been a consideration for me since I was a teenager. I’ve always loved the idea of coming to this city. The expanse of nature is impressive, but inside the city itself the condominium lifestyle is pretty apparent and would be the likely lifestyle choice for us if we came here. That has its own downside. The likelihood is that Kim and I bring our little family here for an extended stay of a month or so and see what it feels like to develop friendships and place our little family within the context of a new city. Stay tuned. We’re open to some change and open to what the future might bring.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲The conversations are finally starting to feel real.Construction discussions and quotes have ...
05/24/2026

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲

The conversations are finally starting to feel real.

Construction discussions and quotes have officially begun with partners for the Laneway House project, and we’re starting to move into the financing phase of the process.

One of the next major steps is obtaining the as-complete appraisal, which gives a projected market value for the finished property once the laneway suite is completed. That becomes an important piece in discussions with private lenders as we work toward financing construction.

I’m honestly very thankful to be working within the mortgage lending space while going through this process. It’s given me a much better understanding of how these projects actually come together behind the scenes and what lenders are looking for when financing them.

Even though the process can feel long and exhausting at times, there’s comfort in understanding the roadmap and seeing steady forward momentum.

There’s no shortcut through projects like this.
Just one step at a time.

And every little detail matters.

The reports, consultations, estimates, and planning costs can feel uncomfortable upfront, but everything you neglect early on has a way of becoming a bigger problem later. That’s something this process continues to teach me over and over again.

We’re navigating all of this in a slower market, so we’re staying realistic and conservative in our expectations. But we’re still optimistic about the value the Laneway House can create for the property long term.

A lot still lies ahead, but that’s part of the journey.

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀The updates just keep coming.Right now, we’re waiting on the next steps after submitting our build...
05/23/2026

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

The updates just keep coming.

Right now, we’re waiting on the next steps after submitting our building permit, but there’s already another exciting milestone worth celebrating.

James and I officially signed off on the severance and development agreement for the new lots created on the 47 Upper Railway property. Thanks to the approval and support from Inverness County, we’re now the proud creators of seven new residential lots.

It’s exciting because these lots represent so much more than paperwork. They represent the future potential of this project and the opportunity to help create more housing within the Inverness community over the coming years.

We’re hoping construction begins in the next few weeks, but before diving into that phase, it feels important to appreciate how far the process has already come, from rezoning the Glebe House into a residential property to creating seven entirely new residential lots.

Big steps forward.

The goal has always been simple:
Create quality market housing that contributes positively to the community and helps support future growth in Inverness.

Excited for what’s next and grateful to everyone helping move the project forward.

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