Colliers International Broadens U.S. Platform with Addition of EVS Realty Advisors in St. Louis

Once again accelerating the pace at which it continues to grow its U.S. operations, Colliers International today has acquired a controlling interest in one of St. Louis’ most prestigious real estate firms, EVS Realty Advisors.

The addition will significantly bolster Colliers International in the Midwest by strengthening the local firm’s ability to service regional, national and international clients seeking to do business in the St. Louis region. With today’s addition of EVS Realty Advisors, 11 of the nation’s leading firms have integrated their operations into the world’s third largest real estate services firm and rebranded as Colliers within the past twelve months.

“EVS Realty Advisors is a true market leader in St. Louis and the region in providing integrated investor services to institutional clients,” said Dylan Taylor, chief executive officer of Colliers International in the U.S. “These professionals share our deep commitment to exceptional client service and a collaborative culture. Today’s news reinforces our commitment to market leadership and delivering the best service to our clients.”

By merging with Colliers International, EVS Realty Advisors will integrate its operations with one of the world’s largest and most influential real estate companies, with 15,000 employees working from more than 480 offices in 61 countries and with revenues of nearly $2 billion. No immediate leadership or personnel changes are expected.

Robert A. Guimbarda, one of the principals and founders of EVS Realty Advisors, adds: “From the start, our firm’s mission was to become the top full-service, real estate investment advisory firm catering to Midwestern and other regional markets. With today’s news, we will be able to over-deliver on that promise to our clients while drawing the region’s most talented professionals into our ranks. The growth opportunities for everyone involved are monumental. We are thrilled to become a part of Colliers International.”

EVS Realty Advisors, which was founded in 2003, manages more than 2.5 million square feet of signature office properties throughout the St. Louis region. The firm also provides sales and leasing expertise in addition to real estate advisory and asset management services.

Colliers International Further Expands Platform in Greater Baltimore

SEATTLE and BALTIMORE, December 6, 2010 – Colliers International has further bolstered the rapid growth of its U.S. platform with the addition of Hearn Burkley, one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most highly regarded commercial real estate firms. Colliers International also announced that Baltimore’s top office brokerage team will join the organization.

Rebranded and operating as Colliers International, Hearn Burkley will transition from a growing regional powerhouse into a key hub for one of the world’s leading real estate organizations, with 15,000 employees operating out of more than 480 offices in 61 countries and with revenues of nearly $2 billion.

“With the addition of Hearn Burkley as part of the Colliers International platform, we continue our strategy to build our market share in the U.S.,” said Dylan Taylor, chief executive officer of Colliers International in the U.S. “The firm meets every criterion we look for when expanding into additional markets--it is the most client-centric and culturally-aligned firm in the Baltimore market, and is poised to continue its impressive record of growth as it fully embraces the Colliers International business model.”

With 55 professionals in Columbia, Maryland, the firm is focused on providing a full line of services to the Mid-Atlantic region, including brokerage and property management, development and consulting, and construction and engineering. Hearn Burkley currently manages 7 million square feet across more than 100 properties throughout the Baltimore region. “Aligning with Colliers International is the next logical step in our firm’s growth,” said Timothy R. Hearn, Hearn Burkley’s chief executive officer. “Last year’s acquisition of Corridor Reznick and our continuing investment in the business ideally positions us to become an important contributor to Colliers International on a local, regional and national level.”

The firm also announced that Gary Applestein and Clare Berrang, formerly of the Baltimore office of MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services, will join Colliers International’s Baltimore operation. Recognized as one of the top office leasing teams in the Baltimore region, Applestein and Berrang will work from the company’s Columbia, MD location. The team has arranged several significant transactions including the sale of an 110,000-square-foot building for ADP, Inc. in Owings Mills, MD as well as leasing 160,000 square feet of medical office space adjacent to the Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, MD.

Colliers International Continues U.S. Growth with Addition of The Winbury Group in Kansas City

Building upon the explosive growth of its domestic operations, Colliers International today announced that it has acquired a controlling interest in Kansas City’s leading commercial real estate services firm, The Winbury Group. With today’s development, nine market leaders have integrated their operations into the third largest global player and rebranded as Colliers International over the past year.

By merging with Colliers International, The Winbury Group will immediately evolve from a locally owned top-performing operation to a key component of one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated real estate companies, with 15,000 employees operating out of more than 480 offices in 61 countries and with revenues of nearly $2 billion.

“With today’s news, we are continuing our systematic strategy to seize additional market share in the U.S.,” said Dylan Taylor, chief executive officer of Colliers International in the U.S. “Our U.S. continued expansion further solidifies our ability to provide the best service to our clients and the best career opportunities for our professionals. The Winbury Group is the clear market leader in greater Kansas City and we see very high alignment between the two firm’s cultures.”

Ted Murray, who serves as the CEO of The Winbury Group, adds: “After serving our clients for more than two decades throughout the Kansas City region and the country, we are thrilled to join Colliers International, a global industry leader. Our ongoing commitment to deliver the highest-quality commercial real estate services in the region will be significantly enhanced by this merger. Our clients will continue to rely on our local market knowledge and connections, but going forward they also will benefit from the national and international growth opportunities and resources of Colliers.”

The Winbury Group is a full-service commercial real estate firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. The firm also has an office in nearby Lawrence, Kansas. Founded in 1989, the firm currently boasts more than 100 employees and real estate advisors. During its 21 years in business, The Winbury Group has consistently delivered transaction, consulting, property and asset management services in addition to strategic planning expertise on behalf of both corporate and investment-grade clients, both on a local and national level.

About Colliers International
Colliers International is the third-largest commercial real estate services company in the world with 15,000 professionals operating out of more than 480 offices in 61 countries. A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV; TSX: FSV and FSV.PR.U), it focuses on accelerating success for its clients by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research. The latest annual survey by the Lipsey Company ranked Colliers International as the second most recognized commercial real estate firm in the world.

A Special Evening with Clients

I had the privilege of co-hosting several hundred clients and colleagues in San Francisco this past Wednesday. Colliers International was lead sponsor and host of an event on behalf of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, established by the former prime minister of the U.K. in 2008 to foster dialogue and understanding between people worldwide, regardless of cultural and religious differences.

The centerpiece of the evening was meeting Tony Blair himself, and later seeing him interviewed by Emmy-winning broadcast journalist Charlie Rose. It was evident from their immediate rapport that this is one of a series of conversations the two have had since Blair stepped down from government in 2007 to begin a new career as statesman and thinker—not just for the United Kingdom, but for the world as a whole.

That his ongoing work has shifted in part from politics to religion reflects what he views as a changing and increasingly globalized world. The 20th century’s defining conflicts were over political ideology; whereas those of the next century will arise from differences of religious and cultural ideology.

Blair is still a political figure, of course, given his continued involvement in the Middle East peace process, emerging governments in Africa, and climate change. But the compelling moments in the discussion transcended both politics and religion, and pointed to something greater that unifies us all: basic human values.

“The one thing that in our part of the world we need to understand is that when we talk about ‘Western values,’ like freedom and democracy, the rule of law, and a belief in basic social justice…these aren’t Western values. They’re values of the human spirit, and they’re the values that people anywhere choose, when they’re given the choice.”

Occasions like this are an opportunity to evaluate one’s own leadership, regardless of your profession. Being around Mr. Blair and engaging with him personally, you can really see how naturally he brings people together. He’s candid without being exclusionary, intelligent without being elitist, warm without being artificial. It’s inspiring how he has continued to grow and learn in his second career, free from the limitations of political office. Despite having achieved the highest political office in his country, and retaining it for a decade, he continues to add to his accomplishments and build on his experience. It is clear that Mr. Blair has demonstrated an enterprising spirit, and having him as a focal point of a gathering of Colliers International clients created an evening that was well received by all.

Industry Veteran Appointed Colliers International UK PLC CEO

Colliers International is pleased to announce that Tony Horrell has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer, UK and Ireland, effective immediately.

London-born, Tony began in the property industry as a graduate student and has a deep level of experience in the London office market and international capital markets. Before joining Colliers International, Tony was with Jones Lang LaSalle for over 27 years where he steadily grew and expanded their capital markets business. Prior to leaving the firm in 2009, Tony was International Director and Head of Capital Markets in Europe, a business of 450 professionals across 24 countries facilitating €35- 40 billion per year in sales, acquisitions and finance transactions.

As Chief Executive Officer, Tony will be responsible for the direction and growth of the Colliers International business and joins the company at an exciting time with the recent launch of the new Colliers International brand, an initiative signifying the unification of the Colliers business around the world.

Colliers International’s Chief Executive Officer, EMEA, Chris McLernon said: “Tony is the ideal fit for Colliers International. His passionate commitment to providing clients with exceptional service and track record of growing a national and regional business will help us grow the Colliers International business in the UK and Ireland to a top tier position.”

Tony commented: “I am delighted to be joining Colliers International at a time when there is an absolute passion to grow the business. The culture of the company to ‘go the extra mile’ and provide ideas and opportunities for clients matches my own enthusiasm for the industry.”

Colliers International Further Expands into the Charlotte Market

Colliers International has bolstered the unprecedented growth of its U.S. platform with the addition of one of Charlotte’s most highly regarded commercial real estate firms, Clarus Properties Inc. The firm also announced that two of Charlotte’s top commercial real estate professionals will join the organization.

As Colliers International, Clarus Properties will transition from being a regional player into a key component of one of the world’s leading real estate brands, with 15,000 employees operating out of more than 480 offices in 61 countries and with revenues of nearly $2 billion.

“We remain committed to our goal that Colliers International becomes the unparalleled market leader in the U.S.,” said Dylan Taylor, chief executive officer of Colliers International in the U.S. “In every recent instance where we’ve expanded our platform, it has been the most client-centric and culturally aligned firms in those markets that have combined forces with us. Clarus Properties is only the latest example of how Colliers International continues to attract the best that the industry has to offer.”

This latest arrival to the Colliers International platform brings the number of markets added in 2010 to nine.

Greg Copps, SIOR principal and cofounder of Clarus Properties, said: “After serving our clients under the Clarus Properties brand since 2005, we are excited to have joined global industry leader Colliers International. We’re also thrilled to have two of our market’s top professionals joining us as we embark upon this new era.

Lawrence Shaw. SIOR, also a principal and cofounder said: “As part of Colliers we will leverage our ongoing commitment to deliver the highest quality commercial real estate services in the region. Our clients will continue to rely on our local market expertise and relationships, while benefiting from the national and international growth opportunities and resources of Colliers International.”

The two brokerage professionals who have joined Colliers International’s new Charlotte office as partners are Brad Grow and Brent Royall. In addition, Edward “Teddy” Chapman, SIOR has been promoted internally to partner. Grant Miller rounds out the organization’s brokerage team.

Brad Grow most recently worked for Cassidy Turley, where he served as a senior vice president/principal in the firm’s Charlotte office. While working there, Grow was actively involved in leasing up projects owned by both institutional and regional developers. In 2008, the Charlotte Commercial Board of Realtors selected Grow as the second highest office leasing producer in the Charlotte market. Among the many clients that Grow has assisted are Lennar Homes, UBS, Pizzagalli Properties and Lord Baltimore Properties. Grow holds a SIOR designation.

Prior to entering the commercial real estate industry, Grow served as a Special Agent for the U.S. Secret Service, working on both protection-focused and investigative assignments.

Brent Royall has thirteen years of corporate real estate experience where his primary focus has been on office tenant representation. He most recently served as a Senior Vice President and office tenant broker at Keystone Partners, a Charlotte-based full service commercial real estate firm. Before Keystone, Royall also worked previously as an office tenant broker for both The Staubach Company and Lincoln Harris. Among the many clients that Royall has assisted are Wachovia, Doosan, Cisco Systems, Duke Energy, Koch Industries, and State Farm Automobile Insurance.

Royall is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He also holds an MBA in Real Estate Finance and Development from The Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Royall also holds designations from both SIOR and CCIM.

As a partner at Colliers International’s new Charlotte office, Teddy Chapman, SIOR will continue to specialize in industrial property transactions and assist his clients with a range of services including landlord and tenant representation, lease negotiations, site searches and acquisition/disposition assignments. Chapman has more than 10 years of experience working with industrial properties in multiple markets around the country.

Greg Copps and Lawrence Shaw – whose working relationship spans 17 years – along with Kirsten Patterson established Clarus Properties in 2005. The team has more than 80 years of combined commercial real estate experience representing both tenants and landlords in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Notable clients include Lord Baltimore Properties, Service Express, Arvato Services (formerly BMG Music), Weston, Verus Partners, Ross Stores and Home Depot.

Earlier this year, Colliers International announced that it combined operations and global real estate services platforms with FirstService Real Estate Advisors. Since then, the organization has embarked on an extensive rebranding effort in which all its local operations have adopted the Colliers International name and branding. Clarus Properties will do the same.

Colliers International has expanded its platform in eight other markets in addition to Charlotte this year alone, including Raleigh-Durham, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Long Island and Nashville.

Colliers International to Host Fundraising Event for Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Foundation

-- An Evening with Tony Blair to feature Charlie Rose in conversation with Tony Blair on the Challenges and Opportunities in this Increasingly Globalized World --

SAN FRANCISCO, October 22, 2010 – The fall gala season will hit a high note in a matter of weeks when PBS host and 60 Minutes contributing correspondent Charlie Rose conducts a fireside chat with renowned world leader and Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in downtown San Francisco. This high-profile event will be sponsored and hosted by leading global real estate services firm Colliers International.

Tony Blair, a leading figure on the international stage, will engage in a spellbinding discussion with Charlie Rose about the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. All proceeds from the evening event will benefit the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. The Foundation runs educational programs, and organizes practical projects in countries around the world so that people can work together to tackle ill-health and global poverty as an alternative to conflict.

A host of bold-face names hailing from the Bay Area and points distant have already committed to attend. Table sponsorship opportunities are currently available for $10,000. Sponsorship includes company name visibility and seating for ten. For table, additional sponsorship opportunities or single tickets, please contact Alan Collenette at Colliers International at 415-288-7854, or alan.collenette@colliers.com

All contributions are tax deductible.

Additional details about the Tony Blair Foundation can be accessed here http://www.tonyblairfaithfoundationus.org/

Colliers International is pleased to present an evening with Tony Blair, in conversation with Charlie Rose

Join us for dinner on November 3, 2010 for an engaging discussion with the former Prime Minister of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, Quartet Representative for the Middle East and Patron of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. Tony Blair in conversation with Charlie Rose, PBS host and 60 Minutes contributing correspondent, will discuss challenges and opportunities in an increasingly globalized world.

Table sponsorship opportunities starting at $10,000 are still available for this event to take place in San Francisco, CA. Sponsorship includes office or team name visibility and seating for 10. For table or additional sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Alan Collenette, Managing Director, San Francisco Tel +1 415 288 7850 alan.collenette@colliers.com

All proceeds from the event will go to the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation promotes peace between the world’s different cultures by developing respect and understanding between people of all faiths and none. The Foundation runs educational programs, and organizes practical projects in countries across the world so that people can work together to tackle ill-health and global poverty as an alternative to conflict.

For more information on the Foundation’s programs, please visit http://www.tonyblairfaithfoundationus.org/.

Colliers International Expands in North Carolina

Colliers International has continued the unprecedented growth of its U.S. platform with the addition of the Raleigh-Durham market’s premier commercial real estate firm, Anthony & Co.
http://bit.ly/dtaE1o

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Real Estate Conference

I enjoyed participating on the panel for the The World According to Agents presentation at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Real Estate Conference. If you missed it, a webcast is available: http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/bas/realestate2010/id15880960.cfm

Flood of Store Closures Set Stage for Second-Generation Space

The economic downturn has presented retailers in the United States with one of the most challenging operating environments they have faced in decades. As of first quarter of 2010, Colliers International reported an overall retail shopping center vacancy rate of 11.0 percent across the markets it tracks. This number is up considerably from January 2008, when the rate was 7.4 percent. While vacancy has increased for every retail shopping center type in virtually every U.S. market, occupancy losses for big box retail buildings have been especially pronounced.

According to The Big Box Dilemma, a new White Paper from Colliers International, nearly one-third of the nation’s top 500 retailers have increased their growth plans for 2011 and beyond. Though most backfilling of vacant big boxes has been driven by discounters, there is reason to believe that deal activity will continue to increase.

Between January and May of 2010, nearly one-third of those retailers increased their growth plans for 2011 and beyond. Strong store sales until May of 2010 likely played a factor in retailers becoming more bullish on 2011.

The Big Box Dilemma is the first of a two-part White Paper series from Colliers International.

For more information on this and other timely industry Research subscribe online to the Colliers International research series at white.papers@colliers.com.

Commercial real estate shows a faint pulse

The real estate industry is rising to the dawn of a national rebound, says market insiders in New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Seattle. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38150802/from/toolbar

Malcolm Gladwell, and What Fleetwood Mac Can Teach the Real Estate Industry | The New York Observer

Malcolm Gladwell, and What Fleetwood Mac Can Teach the Real Estate Industry The New York Observer

A Night of Celebration with Best-Selling Author Malcolm Gladwell

Global leaders representing over 60 countries came together under one roof at the Lincoln Center in New York City to celebrate the launch and momentum of the new Colliers International. With 450+ clients and Collier International executives in attendance, best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell shared the common characteristics found amongst highly successful and creative individuals and organizations.

Using the long-running career of Fleetwood Mac as an example, Gladwell began to demystify the magic of “overnight” success. Truth be told, it took the band 10 years and 15 albums before they made it big. This is no surprise to Gladwell who states that true innovative breakthroughs take time. Often the recognition of success is void of any acknowledgment of effort. Success and innovation are the fruit of experience and hard work.

So what can we learn from those who turn the ordinary into extraordinary? There are three key lessons:

1) Success takes effort and hard work. It doesn’t happen overnight.

When looking at highly successful and creative people, it takes hard work. On average, it takes about 10,000 hours of focus, commitment and hard work, or approximately 10 years, before one has a major breakthrough.

2) Learning through adversity is better than a capitalization strategy.

The success of highly motivated and creative people is closely aligned with learning through adversity. Studies show that those with access to resources have different learning experiences than people who experience adversity, or a life of hardship, because they are hungrier therefore they work harder.

3) You have to take risks in pursuit of something bold and innovative.

Pursuing something bold and innovative involves risk. It could call into question one’s ethics, popularity, reputation.

So what is the alchemy that separates good organizations from bad? Gladwell believes the foundation of great organizations is based on the commitment to back talented people with characteristics similar to those listed above. Firms with the institutional attitude to recognize this kind of success will rise above all others.

Industry Consolidation

How do you think industry consolidation will impact the commercial real estate industry in 2010 and beyond? There is an interesting article in the New York Times today that discusses industry dynamics and the impact of consolidation. Here is the link to the article. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/realestate/commercial/16brokers.html?scp=1&sq=cushman&st=cse

How will FASB's Pending changes to Lease Accounting Effect Corporations

Major changes to the GAAP treatment of accounting for leases have been proposed by FASB. How will this effect lease versus own decisions by corporations? Will there be more owner/occupier transactions? A recent white paper written by Colliers Head of Corporate Finance, Bret Hardy discusses the impact of these changes. http://dsg.colliers.com/document.aspx?report=272.pdf

Colliers International Expands into Long Island

Colliers International has expanded into the Long Island market with the addition of Sutton & Edwards. The leading Long Island firm will now operate as part of the Colliers International New York Tri-State hub and adopt the Colliers International name and branding. This expansion further cements Colliers International’s status as the region’s premiere real estate services organization, with offices in Manhattan, Connecticut, New Jersey and Long Island.

Founded in 1962, and with offices in Lake Success and Ronkonkoma, the Long Island firm is a leading provider of office, industrial, retail, land, medical office and investment property brokerage. With 2.5 million square feet under management, it represents a combined 8 million square feet of industrial and office space. The firm also provides tenant/buyer representation, landlord advisory services, consulting/advisory services, incentive procurement and build-to-suit services.

Prominent clients include GE Capital, Prudential Life Insurance, MSC Industrial Supply Co., State Farm Insurance, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health Systems and HRPT Properties Trust, among others.

Real Estate Forum Article

Colliers International was recently featured as the cover story for Real Estate Forum. Here is a link to the article:
http://www.reforum-digital.com/reforum/201004?kw=email#pg1

Welcome to my blog

Thank you for visiting. I am Dylan Taylor, CEO for the US for Colliers International. Colliers is the third largest commercial real estate firm in the world with over 15,000 employees in 54 countries. Our global headquarters are in Seattle, Washington. Colliers is known for its enterprising spirit and its commitment to service excellence. We value our culture and our ability to have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate. We are accelerating success. http://www.colliers.com/