by Kirk Layton, President & Co-Founder of The Tenex Group
When a city throws a party, commercial property managers often inherit the hangover.
Toronto, in particular, knows how to celebrate loudly and en masse. Whether it’s the 2026 FIFA World Cup bringing global crowds downtown, a Raptors victory parade, or the Blue Jays coming oh-so-close to clinching the World Series, these events can transform calm business districts into high-energy, high-density zones. That’s great for civic pride, but not so great for glass doors, lobby security, and elevator etiquette.
So how do property managers stay ahead of the chaos without turning into the fun police?
Start with the obvious: protect the physical space
Large crowds change how buildings behave. Foot traffic spills into lobbies, people look for washrooms they don’t technically have access to, and the occasional overenthusiastic fan treats a planter like a souvenir.
A few practical moves go a long way:
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Access control: Temporarily restrict entry points and ensure credential systems are functioning properly. If your building is usually open-access during the day, consider tightening that up.
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Security presence: Increase on-site personnel, even if just for visibility. A uniform alone can deter most bad decisions.
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Barrier planning: Subtle physical barriers (stanchions, planters, temporary hoarding) can guide crowd flow without making your building look like a fortress.
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Glass and frontage protection: If your property sits along a parade route or near a fan zone, consider protective film or hoarding for particularly vulnerable areas.
No one wants to explain to ownership why a revolving door became … airborne.
Lower risk before it shows up
Big events are predictable in one key way: everyone knows they’re coming. That gives property managers a rare gift: lead time.
Work with local authorities and BIAs to understand:
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Expected crowd volumes
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Street closures and transit changes
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Emergency access routes
Then run a quick internal risk review. Are there tenants with sensitive operations? High-value retail? Medical offices? Each may need slightly different considerations.
Insurance is also worth revisiting. Not the most glamorous topic, but confirming coverage (and documenting pre-event conditions with photos) can save serious headaches later.
Communication: your secret weapon
If there’s one area where property managers can truly shine, it’s communication. Tenants don’t expect you to control the crowds, but they do expect you to keep them informed. A simple, well-timed communication plan might include:
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Pre-event notice (1–2 weeks out): What’s happening, when, and how it may affect access, deliveries, and operations.
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Reminder (a few days before): Any updates, plus practical tips (e.g., “expect delays,” “consider remote work options,” “plan deliveries early,” etc.).
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Day-of updates: If relevant, quick notes about real-time conditions.
Keep the tone helpful, not alarmist. This isn’t a crisis … it’s just organized chaos.
Toronto-specific realities
Downtown Toronto has a few quirks worth noting. The PATH system can become both a refuge and a bottleneck. Union Station turns into a human river. And buildings near major corridors (University, Yonge, Front) will feel the impact first and hardest. If your property connects to transit or underground networks, coordinate messaging carefully. Tenants will use those routes to navigate around crowds, so make sure they know what to expect.
And let’s not forget that parking garages can present unique challenges for your tenants and guests when they try to ease their cars into that river of humanity. Make sure you have enough people at the ready – either your own staff or hired hands – to help keep traffic flowing at the parking exits
Zooming out: A North American Lens
In Canada and the U.S., especially with this summer’s World Cup looming, cities like Vancouver, New York and San Francisco face similar dynamics during festivals, playoffs, and major events. The scale may differ, but the principles hold:
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Plan early
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Coordinate locally
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Communicate clearly
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Stay flexible
And perhaps most importantly, remember that these moments, while operationally inconvenient, are part of what makes cities vibrant. A well-managed building doesn’t just survive these events; it supports the people experiencing them.
Final thought
You don’t need to eliminate risk entirely (you won’t), and you don’t need to dampen the energy of a city celebrating (please don’t). But with a bit of foresight, some practical safeguards, and clear communication, you can keep your building secure, your tenants happy, and your stress levels somewhere below “Blue Jays World Series Game Seven 2025.”
Large crowds change how buildings behave. Foot traffic spills into lobbies, people look for washrooms they don’t technically have access to, and the occasional overenthusiastic fan treats a planter like a souvenir.
