Avison Young has opened a second Connecticut office in Hartford, CT, as the real estate services firm continues its march towards global saturation.
Over the past six years, the Canadian-based company has grown from 11 to 70 offices in 63 markets, and from 300 to more than 2,000 real estate professionals across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
“We’re thrilled to enter the robust Hartford marketplace and expand our New England operations ,” said Mark Rose, chair and CEO of Avision Young, which is currenlty the world’s fastest-growing commercial real estate firm.
“Hartford is a capital city currently experiencing a transformation that is increasing housing and amenities, and offering attractive commercial real estate opportunities. Furthermore, these opportunities will appeal to local, national and international investors as well as landlords, tenants and owner-users in the office, retail, industrial and multi-residential asset classes.”
Local power broker Andrew Filler has been tapped to lead the Hartford operation. Filler brings more than 20 years industry experience to Avison Young, most recently as managing partner and principal at RM Bradley in Hartford.
Michael Smith, Avison Young Principal and Managing Director of the New England region, will oversee the new Hartford office’s strategic direction and overall growth strategy. Rose said having local experts in place is a key to Avison Young’s aggressive expansion strategy.
“Before entering a new market, we ensure that an established local industry veteran is in place to make the transition seamless and allow us to draw from well-developed, long-term client and business relationship,” said ROse.
“Andrew is an established market leader in Hartford, and his familiarity with the region’s 24-million-square-foot office and 70-msf industrial markets will be of tremendous benefit as we expand into this budding metropolitan area. Ultimately, Andrew and future recruits in Hartford will allow us to strengthen our full-service platform and fulfill our mandate of providing the best possible solutions for clients’ unique business and real estate needs.”
Avison Young’s new Hartford office is located at 185 Asylum Street, 15th floor, CityPlace II in downtown Hartford.
Avison Young’s President, U.S. Operations, Earl Webb said the Hartford location puts it at a pivotal point on the East Coast market.
“With its strategic location midway between Boston and New York, the new Hartford office will allow us to build on many established client and business relationships throughout New England, the Eastern U.S. and Eastern Canada, and create many exciting new ones,” said Webb.
He added: “As an insurance capital of the world and a major financial center, the Hartford area is home to countless large institutional investors who prefer to invest in multiple U.S. markets and internationally. With its proximity to major Eastern markets like Boston, New York, Washington, Toronto and Montreal, the new Hartford operation will enable us to facilitate more cross-border transactions. Furthermore, Andrew’s comprehensive leasing knowledge, extensive client roster and excellent service will enable investors to attain strong returns on their capital investments. Drawing from Andrew’s experience, investors will have confidence that their properties will be leased over the long term to high-quality tenants.”
Today’s announcement follows the opening of new Avison Young offices in Nashville and Knoxville, TN on September 2, 2015; Indianapolis on March 12, 2015, and Minneapolis on March 2, 2015. Avison Young opened its first New England office in Boston in October 2010. The Fairfield/Westchester office (located in New Canaan, CT) opened in June 2014.
Andrew Filler joined RM Bradley as a principal in 2010 after 15 years as a first vice president at CB Richard Ellis in Hartford. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies from Trinity College in Hartford.
