COLUMBUS—The Canada-based real estate firm Avison Young has been aggressively expanding its American presence and just planted its flag in Columbus, OH, by buying the local firm PSB Realty Advisors LLC. In the last five years, the Toronto firm has grown from 11 offices to 54, including 39 outside of Canada, in 43 markets.
Founded in 2008, PSB provides a full range of services including investment advice, brokerage and management and development services for office, retail, multi-family and industrial properties. It also brings the 20-story, 225,000-square-foot Key Bank tower in downtown Columbus into Avison Young's leasing and management portfolio.
Scott Pickett, the former president and principal owner of PSB, has become a principal of Avison Young and managing director of the new Columbus office. He will oversee the growth and development of Avison Young in Columbus and manage the day-to-day operations.
"Building a robust Columbus market will enhance our ability to serve corporate and institutional clients in the critically important US Midwest region,” says Mark E. Rose, the chair and CEO of Avison Young. “Columbus plays an integral role in the Midwest supply chain because of the city's location and large distribution infrastructure.”
“Columbus will serve as another vital link to the Chicago area and enhance services to clients who operate extensively, or are based in, the Midwest,” he adds. “The central location also enables us to tie in services to clients on both the East Coast and West Coast.”
Steve Heiser and Graydon Webb from PSB have also joined Avison Young.
“As we continue our strategic expansion in the Midwest, our clients are in need of service in a number of key markets, including Columbus,” says Earl Webb, Avison Young's president, US Operations. “As the state capital, Columbus has a key role in the Ohio real estate market, and a number of corporate and institutional clients of our firm either have a presence there or are desirous of one.”
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Brian J. Rogal
Brian J. Rogal is a Chicago-based freelance writer with years of experience as an investigative reporter and editor, most notably at The Chicago Reporter, where he concentrated on housing issues. He also has written extensively on alternative energy and the payments card industry for national trade publications.
