Avison Young opens new office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fast-growing commercial real estate services firm opens 38th U.S. office; three industry veterans join as Principals

TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Mark E. Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young, the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm, announced today the opening of a newly-formed office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The newest American office represents Avison Young's 38th office outside of Canada, the company's second office in Pennsylvania, and an additional step in the firm's ongoing aggressive growth and expansion strategy.

Over the past four years, Avison Young has grown from 11 to, now, 53 offices in 41 markets and from 300 to more than 1,300 real estate professionals across Canada and the U.S. 

Effective immediately, four real estate professionals form Avison Young's Philadelphia office. David Fahey, Patrick Kelley and Paul French join Avison Young as Principals. Fahey and French were most recently with Binswanger, a full-service international real estate organization headquartered in Philadelphia; while Kelley comes from Tactix Real Estate Advisors. Additionally, Patrick Brady joins the team as a Vice-President. Brady was most recently with Binswanger.

Fahey, a 19-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry, also becomes Managing Director of the Philadelphia office and will focus his efforts on overseeing the growth and development of Avison Young's presence in the region, as well as servicing new and existing clients and managing the day-to-day operations of the office.

"The addition of a Philadelphia office is critical to Avison Young's full-service client platform in the Northeast Corridor," comments Rose. "This team comprises industry leaders with a proven track record of client satisfaction, leasing expertise and successful advisory assignments. I could not be more delighted to have David, Patrick K., Paul and Patrick B. lead our expansion in the greater Philadelphia region."

Rose continues: "Philadelphia's proximity to New York, Washington DC and Boston offers numerous possibilities for collaboration with our offices in those cities, and there is a natural in-state synergy with our Pittsburgh office in a market that is thriving. Philadelphia's proximity to our major Canadian markets in Toronto and Montreal, as well as these American cities, will also enhance opportunities for more cross-border transactions."

Rose says Avison Young's increased presence on the East Coast will also benefit the firm in the future as it expands to Europe and Asia.

Effective immediately, Avison Young's Philadelphia office is located at 200 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 400, Conshohocken, a central location in suburban Philadelphia.

"Avison Young has grown with marked momentum in the U.S. during the past four years, with numerous acquisitions and hires. The strategic hire of this team of respected professionals will give us further momentum as we continue building the Avison Young brand," notes Earl Webb, Avison Young's President, U.S. Operations. "We are fortunate to have David, Patrick, Paul and Patrick on board to anchor our Philadelphia office. During their careers, they have built an impressive roster of clients, are well aligned with Avison Young's client-centric approach, and are active members of the community."

Avison Young opened its first Pennsylvania office in Pittsburgh in June 2012, with Duke Kingsley joining as Principal and Managing Director.

"The addition of David and his team will really benefit our clients as we continue to add top talent," says Kingsley. "With offices now in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the statewide coverage will enhance our client focus and provide seamless service."

"I am very excited to be joining Avison Young," says Fahey. "Having served the needs of many corporations, I know of no other global real estate service provider organized and managed to truly be aligned with the client, and that has the ability to deliver best-in-class services to meet clients' needs. We are delighted to be part of Avison Young's growth in Pennsylvania and the Northeastern U.S."

Philadelphia is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, along two rivers, and shares a border with New Jersey. A population of roughly 1.5 million makes Philadelphia the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the fifth most populous city in the nation. Considered to be the economic and cultural center of the Delaware Valley, Philadelphia has attracted several Fortune 500 companies. The city's economy is diverse, with the largest employment sectors being education and health services; trade, transportation and utilities; professional and business services; and government. Philadelphia boasts four professional sports teams, and its higher-education institutions provide an excellent talent pool.

Today's announcement comes on the heels of Avison Young opening offices on Long Island, NY, Tampa, FL and Greenville, SC in the past month.

Biographies:

David Fahey
David Fahey has spent the last 19 years of his career in the commercial real estate industry. While at Binswanger, he served as President of the commercial division. On behalf of his clients, he successfully managed and completed projects in 31 states and 11 countries. He also brings to Avison Young experience on the development side of the business from his time as a partner at Preferred Real Estate Investments. Prior to his tenure in the real estate industry, Fahey spent 12 years in many capacities in the packaging industry, as well as two years in the chemical business.

Fahey earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration and financial management from Juniata College. He has served on many Boards, including the Philadelphia Chapter of CoreNet for more than 10 years. Today, he serves on the Board of King of Prussia Business Improvement District and St. Davids Golf Club.

Patrick Kelley
A diversified real estate professional, Patrick Kelley brings 28 years of varied commercial real estate experience to Avison Young. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a tenant rep specialist with Tactix Real Estate Advisors, President of the commercial division at Binswanger, and director of brokerage services at Cushman & Wakefield. He is seasoned in project leasing, investment sales, acquisition, tenant representation and site selection. Kelley has managed many complex transactions in the region with various distinguished companies, including: Select Medical Corporation/NovaCare (1 million square feet (msf) of lease transactions), Novartis Pharmaceuticals (560,000-sf headquarters disposition), IKEA (North American headquarters acquisition), Archdiocese of Philadelphia (dispositions), and Conair Corporation (1.5-msf world headquarters site selection).

Kelley attended Temple University, concentrating on urban planning and marketing. He is deeply involved in the community, serving on several Boards, including: Police Athletic League of Philadelphia, Cuddle My Kids, Archdiocese of Philadelphia real estate advisory committee, Breach Menders, and Saint John Vianney Scholars. Kelley also completed the Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon in 2010 to raise funds for the ALS Research Foundation.

Paul French
Paul French has more than two decades of commercial real estate brokerage experience, with a primary focus on facilitating transactions for institutional investor and corporate clients. Prior to joining Avison Young, French served as Executive Vice-President for Binswanger, where he consistently ranked as the company's top producing commercial broker. Prior to his tenure at Binswanger, French worked as a commercial real estate lender with one of Philadelphia's major banking institutions. During his career, French has been recognized by CoStar as one of the top brokers in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region and nationally by Commercial Property News.

French, a native of Canada, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia. While at Virginia, French earned All-American honors playing lacrosse and subsequently represented Canada in the 1982 and 1986 World Lacrosse Championships. French also played professional lacrosse for the Philadelphia Wings from 1987 to 1990 and remains active as a youth hockey and lacrosse coach. 

Avison Young is the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young is a collaborative, global firm owned and operated by its principals. Founded in 1978, the company comprises 1,300 real estate professionals in 53 offices, providing value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management, financing and mortgage placement services to owners and occupiers of office, retail, industrial and multi-family properties.

•Editors/Reporters: please click on link to view and download photos of David Fahey, Patrick Kelley and Paul French
http://www.avisonyoung.com/sites/default/files/content-files/Media_Room/Temp/Fahey_David.jpg
http://www.avisonyoung.com/sites/default/files/content-files/Media_Room/Temp/Kelley_Patrick.jpg
http://www.avisonyoung.com/sites/default/files/content-files/Media_Room/Temp/French_Paul.jpg

For further information/comment/photos:

• Sherry Quan, National Director of Communications & Media Relations, Avison Young:  [phone]; cell: [phone]

• Mark Rose, Chair and CEO, Avison Young: 416.673.4028

• Earl Webb, President, U.S. Operations, Avison Young: 312.957.7610

• George (Duke) Kingsley, Principal and Managing Director, Pittsburgh, Avison Young:   [phone]

• David Fahey, Principal & Managing Director, Philadelphia, Avison Young: 610-276-1081

Avison Young's new Philadelphia office is located at: 200 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 400, Conshohocken, PA, 19428

www.avisonyoung.com

Avison Young was a winner of Canada's Best Managed Companies program in 2011 and requalified in 2012 to maintain its status as a Best Managed company.

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SOURCE: Avison Young Commercial Real Estate (BC)

Media Relations:              
Sherry Quan                  
604.647.5098 or 604.726.0959
[email protected]