Revolutionizing the Way We Buy Homes & Celebrate Communities

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A groundbreaking partnership is reimagining how we experience real estate. Marcon Executive VP Nic Paolella and Nemesis Coffee Founder Jess Reno sit down with Adam & Matt to reveal how they’re teaming up to revolutionize development marketing & sales through an innovative fusion of hospitality and elevated experiences that takes more from the Apple Store than traditional home sales.

From their ambitious vision for Surrey Pavilion in Surrey’s Central Downtown to revamping the real estate sales experience, this inspiring conversation explores how intentional community-building and an obsession with quality are set to reshape buyer expectations – and this is just the beginning.

Is this community-centred approach the blueprint for successful development in 2025 and beyond? Could this elevated buying experience transform how we think about real estate sales? And what does their focus on authentic community engagement mean for the future of Metro Vancouver development? Not to be missed!

Creating Value Beyond the Unit

In a real estate landscape often defined by density, pre-sales, and box-ticking checklists, Marcon is taking a radically different approach. In this episode of the Vancouver Real Estate Podcast, Nic Paolella, Executive VP at Marcon, and Jess Reno, CEO and founder of Nemesis Coffee, join the conversation to unpack a visionary new direction for real estate development—where homes and hospitality are intertwined, and “quality” is more than just polished fixtures.

At the centre of the discussion is Pavilion, a bold new mixed-use project in Surrey that brings together Marcon’s development expertise with Nemesis Coffee’s obsessive attention to hospitality and community experience.

Why “Coffee and Condos” Isn’t Just a Catchphrase

While some might have dismissed this partnership as “coffee and condos,” the reality is far more layered. As Nic puts it, “We just put thousands of hours into this—and people call it coffee and condos? Okay, you go try it.” This isn’t about creating trendy ground-floor retail. It’s about building an immersive environment where hospitality and design enhance the everyday lives of residents and locals alike.

This idea started with Marcon’s earlier concept space, Outpost, which proved that if you build a thoughtful, accessible place in a growing neighbourhood, people will come. Pavilion is the next evolution of that—fully integrated, highly designed, and strategically located in Surrey City Centre.

A New Standard for Mixed-Use Developments

Unlike traditional suburban developments that check the box for retail, green space, or density without delivering real community impact, Pavilion reimagines how all those elements work together.

Here, ground-level retail isn’t filler—it’s foundational. The Nemesis café is more than a coffee shop; it’s a cultural and social hub designed with the same care as the residential units above it. “We want to reset the bar,” says Nic. That means treating design cohesiveness, hospitality, and vibrancy as part of the value proposition—not an afterthought.

For Jess Reno, the collaboration is about more than coffee. “If Nemesis wasn’t there, we want people to ask, what happened?” Their shared goal is to embed something so meaningful into the community that it becomes indispensable.

Why Surrey? Why Now?

Surrey City Centre is seeing billions in public investment—from new transit to universities and civic infrastructure. It’s growing faster than nearly any other municipality in the region. For Marcon, it was the right time to go all-in. “We want to be center of the ice,” Nic explains. Their focus isn’t just on selling units—it’s on shaping how the community grows around those homes.

This is where the long game comes in. Pavilion isn’t a pop-up. It’s a commitment to long-term presence, backed by design that will age well and mixed-use components that add real utility for residents and neighbours alike.

Rethinking the Sales Experience

A central theme in this conversation is the shift from transactional selling to experiential engagement. Marcon isn’t just building a showroom—they’re building a community anchor. The Pavilion sales center will be an active coffee and hospitality space, designed to reflect the ethos of the building and attract locals long before the homes are even occupied.

Buyers aren’t just sold on renderings—they get to feel the lifestyle, the culture, and the brand. This reframes the typical real estate funnel: instead of leading with price per square foot, they’re leading with experience, trust, and community-building.

Why This Matters for Buyers

What does this mean for homebuyers and investors in Metro Vancouver?

• More than a condo: You’re buying into a lifestyle. Thoughtfully integrated retail like Nemesis enhances livability and long-term value.

• Long-term vision: These aren’t fly-by-night partnerships. Marcon is focused on durability in both design and relationships.

• Premium expectations: In an era where pre-sale homes often feel interchangeable, Pavilion offers a standout product—and sets a new benchmark for what buyers should demand.

This project represents a future-forward approach to urban development in the region: building vibrant neighbourhoods, not just buildings.

FAQs

What is Pavilion by Marcon?

• Pavilion is a mixed-use development in Surrey City Centre that combines residential homes with ground-floor retail, office space, and a flagship Nemesis Coffee café. It’s designed to elevate the standard for quality, livability, and community impact in suburban developments.

How does Nemesis Coffee fit into this project?

• Nemesis Coffee isn’t just a tenant—it’s a partner. Their team collaborated from the design phase to create a hospitality experience that enhances the overall project, providing cultural depth and a daily amenity for residents and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Why is this different from other mixed-use developments in Metro Vancouver? 

• Unlike conventional retail add-ons in condo projects, Pavilion’s integration of Nemesis Coffee is foundational. It’s not about renting space—it’s about curating an experience that reflects shared values around quality, design, and community.

Why Surrey, and why now?

• Surrey is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in BC. With billions invested in infrastructure and a clear plan for its city centre, it presents a rare opportunity to do city-building right from the ground up. Marcon saw this as a moment to invest not just in housing, but in shaping the fabric of the community.

How can buyers engage with Pavilion now?

• The Pavilion sales experience is now live, with a one-of-a-kind sales centre integrated into the Nemesis Coffee Pavilion café in Surrey. Prospective buyers can experience the environment, meet the team, and explore what makes this development so unique.

Last updated April 21, 2025 by Matt Scalena PREC.