Matt is the founder and visionary behind STACKT. Prior to this project he came from an extensive background in marketing, strategic partnerships and event production. He is an avid world traveler and has been involved in international real estate transactions for 20+ years. The combination of proven expertise in real estate and marketing drove him to envision the stackt concept and bring it to life. Comprised of over 120 shipping containers, stackt is a modular development, which can be easily erected, changed and moved as needed. Following stackt’s first location in Toronto, Matt envisions this concept popping up in other locations. This will be done by reimagining under utilized land and continuing to foster community connection through culture and innovation.
Talk Summary
When deciding to embark on an unconventional idea one faces multiple challenges with bringing the concept to life because anything “new” or “different” pushes people outside their comfort zone. In a world where people have witnessed the diminishing industry of the brick-and-mortar retail, how can one challenge the evolving digital landscape to re-configure and re-imagine the future of retail? This is especially challenging in a city as dense as Toronto where it is difficult to find public space for communities to engage with one another. This all comes down to changing with the times, and this is precisely what led stackt to become a community hub in Toronto’s fastest growing neighbourhood. Despite the lack of dream believers, stackt thrives as a constantly evolving community hub with retail offerings, food experiences and extensive cultural programming — all set to evoke a sense of discovery and encourage community connection. Embarking on an unconventional idea is believing in the power behind creative transformation.