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Oprah's Magazine: The Erector Set: Sherry Larjani and Taya Cook, Developers of Reina Condominiums

Trailblazers Who Are Creating Game-Changing Opportunities for All Women

Sherry Larjani and Taya Cook, developers of Reina Condominiums.

Photo: Anya Chibis

New York - March 20, 2020

By Amy Maclin


Poetic Justice: It sounds like the start of a feminist fable. Two female real estate developers walk onto the site of a notorious former strip club in Toronto—and assemble an all-woman team of architects, engineers, planners, construction managers, and lawyers to build a nine-story, 200-unit condo named Reina, the Spanish word for queen, on that distinctly unhallowed ground. “The club was associated with violence and all sorts of unsavory activities,” says Taya Cook, cofounder of Reina. “People in the neighborhood are excited to have something in its place that’s empowering women and bringing good energy.”


The BackStory: Less than two years ago, Cook opened an issue of Toronto Life magazine to read “Condo Kings,” an article highlighting the mag’s picks for the top real estate execs: 20 men and not a single woman. “I came into the office that morning and said, ‘We have to do something about this industry.’ ”


The Sad Stats: While about 67 percent of certified Realtors are women, the more lucrative arena of commercial real estate tends to be testosterone fueled: Women make up roughly 35 percent of the workforce and hold 11 percent of C-suite positions. “After 15 years in the industry, I’ve become accustomed to being the only woman in meetings,” says Cook.


Haters Gonna Hate: The project had naysayers at first. “One person dared to send my assistant a photo of a collapsed bridge that had supposedly been designed by women, which wasn’t even true!” recalls Sherry Larjani, cofounder of Reina. Now the real estate queens are having the last laugh. “People asked, ‘How are you going to find women civil engineers?’ ” says Larjani. “Funnily enough, we found qualified women, from engineers to architects, for every role.”

 

About Spotlight Development


Spotlight Development is a Toronto-based real estate development company dedicated to creating innovative, inclusive, and community-driven housing solutions. Specializing in traditional market condominiums and affordable housing projects, Spotlight combines visionary design with a commitment to sustainability and community impact. With over 10.5 million ft² of development space, representing more than $2 billion in managed assets, Spotlight Development is reshaping communities through projects that prioritize social impact and sustainability. Guided by the motto Impact Real Estate Empowering People, Spotlight is setting a new standard in the industry.


Learn more at www.spotlightdevelopment.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

 

Senior Director, Marketing & Communications

Jasmine Ashfield

 

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