Avison Young

About Avison Young

Avison Young operates as a global commercial real estate services firm, providing a comprehensive suite of solutions to investors, owners, and occupiers. The company's origins trace back to the 1978 formation of Graeme Young & Associates in Alberta, Canada. This was followed by the establishment of Avison & Associates in Ontario in 1989 and British Columbia in 1994. These entities officially merged to create Avison Young in 1996, and the Canadian offices were consolidated into Avison Young (Canada) Inc. in 2008. Mark E. Rose has been the Chair and Chief Executive Officer since 2008, overseeing a period of significant expansion. His extensive background includes executive roles at Grubb & Ellis Company and Jones Lang LaSalle, as well as founding the brokerage and investment firm Metropolitan Realty Advisors.

The firm's business model is centered on a principal-led, collaborative structure, designed to align the firm's interests with client success. Revenue is generated through commissions and fees from a wide array of service lines. These services cater to a diverse client base that includes corporate clients, investors, developers, tenants, and institutional clients across various property types. The company serves sectors such as office, retail, industrial, multifamily, hospitality, data centers, healthcare, and life sciences. A key aspect of their operation involves leveraging data-driven insights and technology platforms, like their use of Power BI for financial management dashboards and a partnership with Occupier for lease management software, to enhance service delivery.

Avison Young delivers a broad spectrum of services organized to support both property occupiers and investors throughout the entire real estate lifecycle. For occupiers, the firm focuses on creating workplace solutions that improve performance and adapt to market changes, offering services like tenant representation, lease administration, and project management. For owners and investors, services include investment sales, asset management, property management, capital markets advisory, and valuation. Their revenue streams are diversified across these offerings, with property management, consultancy, and transactional services being core components. For example, in 2024, the UK division's revenue was composed of earnings from property management, consultancy, and transactional activities.