Toronto-based real estate firm Avison Young has opened a second London office after acquiring market-leading UK firm Wilkinson Williams LLP.
The acquisition follows the addition of significant buying power through a $250 million investment from the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
Wilkinson Williams has significant strength in the out-of-town retail market including food stores and warehousing.
With immediate effect the firm is rebranded as Avison Young.
The acquisition of Wilkinson Williams represents another significant milestone in the growth of Avison Young and further underlines our progress towards becoming a market-leading real estate advisory business across all sectors and disciplines in the U.K.," said Mark E. Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young.
"This acquisition is another example of how our Principal-led partnership structure and collaborative culture allow us to attract and deliver talent of the highest calibre. Furthermore, the addition of 16 members, including eight principals, will greatly strengthen our existing high-performing U.K. team," he added.
The new office represents Avison Young's second office in London's West End, fifth office in the U.K., 11th office in Europe, and an additional step in the firm's ongoing aggressive growth and expansion strategy.
