COLUMBIA, SC—You've probably read plenty about Canadian investors into U.S. commercial real estate. Avison Young is poised to serve them as it continues a rapid expansion into American cities. The commercial real estate firm just opened a new office in Columbia, SC.

The new office marks the firm's 30th outside Canada and its second in South Carolina. In fact, over the past four years Avison Young has grown from 11 to 45 offices in 36 markets and from 300 to more than 1,200 commercial real estate professionals across Canada and the U.S.

Bruce Neel joins Avison Young has been named principal of Columbia Operations, as well as managing director of the Columbia office. He will oversee the growth and development of the company's presence in Columbia as well as manage the day-to-day office operations. Neel was most recently president of Neel Real Estate, Inc. in Irmo, SC.