Glyn Lewis: Turning Demolition Into Hope for Communities and the Planet
- Tony Chapman
- May 1
- 6 min read
Explore: Episode Overview I Moments That Matter (Show Notes) I Guest FAQs
Episode Overview
A Groundbreaking Approach to Sustainable Housing
Discover the inspiring story behind Renewal Development, as host Tony Chapman sits down with visionary entrepreneur Glyn Lewis. In this compelling episode, Glyn shares how he’s disrupting the demolition industry by rescuing homes slated for teardown and giving them new life in communities that desperately need affordable, beautiful housing.
Lewis’s work is more than just business—it’s a movement to shift the way we build, live, and think about sustainability in Canada. Instead of seeing demolished homes as waste, he recognizes opportunity, saying, “We tear down 600 really nice homes every year. To me, that seems incredibly wasteful. It’s wasteful from a material perspective, an embodied carbon perspective, and a housing perspective. Those are good homes that someone could be living in.”
Breaking Down Barriers: From the Laboratory to Leading Change
Glyn opens up about his journey—from aspiring chemistry educator to software entrepreneur and eventually to the world of sustainable housing. He discusses how a blend of personal motivation, family inspiration (his sister’s refusal to send her home to landfill sparked the idea), and commitment to the planet led him to challenge the status quo. As he puts it, “Being a disruptor, being truly innovative to transform something to hopefully a better place is incredibly challenging.”
Tony Chapman and Glyn explore what it takes to push through industry resistance, champion innovation in conservative spaces, and turn an ethical vision into scalable action. The conversation delves into:
The untapped environmental and social value in repurposing quality homes.
Building a business that’s also a campaign for consciousness and change.
Advice for young people: “It takes a certain amount of courage and boldness to try to envision what you want your own life to be about, to create the role that you want to.”
The vital role of family, mentors, and perseverance in entrepreneurship.
Why This Conversation Matters
This episode goes beyond business—it’s about inspiring choices and systems that build a better future. Whether you’re interested in green building, community development, or personal growth, you’ll be motivated by Glyn’s tenacity and actionable wisdom.
Listen now to learn how one person’s refusal to accept “business as usual” is helping solve Canada’s housing crisis and reducing environmental waste—one beautiful home at a time.
Ready to be inspired? Subscribe to Chatter That Matters and catch more stories about game-changers making a difference across Canada.
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Moments That Matters - Show Notes
1. Tony’s Interview Approach & Emotional Impact [00:00:04] Tony Chapman opens up about his research process, how he approaches interviews for head, heart, and hands—and reveals how Glyn’s story moved him so much he had to keep his own emotions in check.
2. The Problem: Demolishing Good Homes [00:00:53] Glyn Lewis introduces the shocking fact that 600 really good homes are torn down every year in Metro Vancouver, highlighting the wastefulness from both a material and environmental standpoint.
3. The Vision: Turning Demolition into Sustainability [00:01:09] Tony describes Glyn as the visionary behind Renewal Development, saving beautiful homes from demolition and repurposing them into affordable housing.
4. A Pivotal Moment – Inspiration from Al Gore’s ‘Inconvenient Truth’ [00:03:50] Glyn shares how watching "An Inconvenient Truth" shifted his career path from chemistry to sustainable community development at university.
5. Sister’s Example Sparks the Business Idea [00:05:32] Glyn recounts how his environmentally-conscious sister refused to let her charming old house go to landfill, instead moving it to be reused—igniting his idea for Renewal Development.
6. Why He Left Politics: Craving Agency and Creative Control [00:07:56] Glyn explains why politics wasn’t the right fit for him due to its hierarchical, consensus-driven nature, and why entrepreneurship gave him the creative control he desired.
7. Apple ‘Think Different’ as Personal Philosophy [00:09:11] Glyn brings in the Apple ‘Think Different’ campaign as inspiration for leaning into being a “square peg in a round hole” and embracing disruption and innovation.
8. The Business Model of Renewal Development [00:18:28] Glyn delivers the “Dragons’ Den”–style pitch: identifying homes slated for demolition, moving and repurposing them for communities in need—a campaign disguised as a company.
9. Facing and Overcoming Industry Resistance (“The Dragons”) [00:20:41] Glyn talks about battling entrenched demolition industry norms and risk-averse developers, likening them to dragons that need to be faced down with persistence.
10. A Major Milestone: The West Group & Sechelt First Nation Project [00:22:42] Glyn recalls a breakthrough project moving 10 homes to be repurposed as below-market rentals for the Sechelt First Nation—generating media buzz and drawing new interest from developers.
Get to Know Glyn Lewis
1. Who is Glyn Lewis and what makes him unique as an entrepreneur?Glyn Lewis is the visionary founder behind Renewal Development, a company dedicated to saving and repurposing homes slated for demolition. What sets him apart is his commitment to sustainability and innovative thinking—bridging the gap between environmental responsibility and practical housing solutions. Glyn’s journey is marked by a blend of scientific curiosity, political experience, and a desire for hands-on impact.
2. What inspired Glyn Lewis to shift from a science career to environmental entrepreneurship?Initially studying chemistry at Simon Fraser University, Glyn’s direction changed after watching the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” about climate change. Seeing the scale and urgency of environmental challenges, he became passionate about developing solutions rather than just studying problems. This led him to pursue a degree in sustainable community development.
3. How did Glyn Lewis’s background in politics and technology influence his current work?Before founding Renewal Development, Glyn worked in politics at multiple levels in both Canada and the United States, and also started a company building software for political campaigns. These experiences gave him insights into systemic change and the importance of agency—realizing that he thrives in roles where he can directly influence outcomes and exercise creativity.
4. What personal experiences influenced Glyn’s views on sustainability and housing?A major turning point was when Glyn’s younger sister arranged to move and repurpose her beautiful heritage home instead of letting it be demolished for new development. Witnessing her determination and success inspired Glyn to see the broader potential of relocating homes as a sustainable, impactful business model.
5. How does Renewal Development operate differently from traditional demolition companies?Unlike conventional demolition businesses, Renewal Development integrates demolition, moving, and repurposing homes under one roof. They identify high-quality homes scheduled for demolition, physically relocate them—sometimes by truck or barge—and give them new life in communities needing affordable, sustainable housing.
6. What kind of resistance has Glyn faced bringing this model to market?Glyn’s approach challenged the standard practices of the demolition industry and development world, often facing skepticism and operational hurdles. Developers are usually risk-averse and unfamiliar with the home relocation process, leading to uncertainty and hesitation to try new models. However, successes with major developers have started to shift perceptions in the industry.
7. Who were Glyn’s key mentors and sources of inspiration?Glyn credits his high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Pong, for instilling academic confidence and encouraging him at a crucial time in his youth. He also draws inspiration from his mother—who taught him to see the world as full of possibilities—and his sister, whose drive to “pick the hard fight to do the right thing” fundamentally motivated his entrepreneurial path.
8. What advice does Glyn Lewis have for young people or aspiring changemakers?Glyn believes in the importance of acknowledging your instincts if you feel like a “square peg in a round hole,” advocating for courage in making course corrections in life. He suggests tapping into your personal talents and interests, seeking inspiring role models, and not being afraid to challenge the status quo to find a path that truly fits. |
9. What future ambitions does Glyn have for Renewal Development and his career?Glyn dreams of creating a master-planned community built entirely from relocated, repurposed homes. He’s committed to staying in this space to drive transformative change for at least the next five to ten years and hopes his work will pave the way for others in sustainable, circular economy businesses.
10. How can Glyn’s work help address Canada’s housing and environmental challenges?By redirecting perfectly habitable homes from the landfill and repurposing them in communities with housing shortages, Glyn’s model directly addresses both housing affordability and carbon footprint reduction. His work demonstrates that real solutions can come from rethinking existing resources rather than simply building new.
About Chatter That Matters and Host Tony Chapman
Chatter That Matters is one of Canada’s top-rated, five-star podcasts, spotlighting inspiring stories and valuable life lessons from a diverse lineup of guests—including entrepreneurs, industry trailblazers, artists, athletes, authors, celebrities, and everyday changemakers. Each episode showcases how people have turned challenges into triumphs through mindset, resilience, and purpose.
Hosted by Tony Chapman—renowned marketing strategist, sought-after keynote speaker and conference emcee, media personality, and a three-time inductee into the Marketing Hall of Fame—this acclaimed show ranks among the top 0.5% of podcasts globally (Listen Notes). Tune in every week as Tony welcomes a new guest who shares wisdom and practical advice on building a life filled with meaning and impact.
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