ORLANDO—Avison Young shook up the South Florida commercial real estate scene earlier this week when it announced plans to acquire Abood Wood-Fay, which is currently doing business as Colliers International South Florida. Now, the firm is moving deeper into Central Florida with the acquisition of Orlando-based Morrison Commercial Real Estate (MCRE).

Greg Morrison founded MCRE in 2007 as a full-service brokerage firm specializing in the office and industrial sectors. The company provides landlord, owner and tenant representation services in leasing, buying, selling, and site selection. The firms 11 members are joining Avison. Morrison and Lisa Bailey will become principles and Morrison is managing director of the new Orlando office.

“Orlando represents one of the three major markets in the state that Avison Young now operates out of,” says Mark Rose, chair and CEO of Avison. “The city's significant population base—the third largest metro area in the state—and mass appeal to both owners and tenants make Orlando a natural hub for Avison Young to have a home base from which to serve our growing client base.”