James Nelson, the high-profile head of greater New York City investment sales at Avison Young, is expanding his role to also lead the brokerage’s newly created national investment sales platform.
The move comes as Mark Rose, the chair and chief executive of Avison Young, was upbeat about the global commercial real estate market, saying at the Mipim real estate conference this week that "the worst is behind us."
As Avison Young’s head of U.S. investment sales, Nelson will focus on properties in key markets across multifamily, office, retail and development sectors, the Toronto-based company said Wednesday in a statement. Avison Young already has investment sales beyond New York in multiple markets, a company spokesperson told CoStar News.
“As the doors of recovery continue to open, we recognize there is a strategic opportunity to position Avison Young as the premier investment sales brokerage firm,” Harry Klaff, Avison Young principal and U.S. president, said in the statement. “James is a nationally recognized investment sales expert, and his deep relationships and experience creating brand identity will magnify exposure of Avison Young’s U.S. investment sales platform.”
A 25-year-plus industry veteran, Nelson, who joined Avison Young in 2018, has been involved in a total of about 500 property and loan sales for an aggregate value of over $5 billion dollars throughout his career history, Avison Young said on its website. His list of notable clients includes the Archdiocese of New York, Carlyle Group, JPMorgan Chase and Vornado Realty Trust, Avison Young said.
Nelson has received numerous industry awards, including winning his team the CoreNet Global New York chapter’s first Deal of the Year award.
His career stints included serving as vice chairman of Cushman & Wakefield and a partner at Massey Knakal before the firm was sold to Cushman.
“We see tremendous opportunity and momentum especially in office, retail, multifamily and development transactions across major U.S. cities,” Nelson said, adding that the Avison Young team is positioned to expand “client relationships and identify new business opportunities.”
As part of the move, Avison Young has promoted Erik Edeen, with 15 years of transaction experience, to senior director and principal of U.S. investment sales to work alongside Nelson on national business development, Avison Young said.
The U.S. team will operate within the framework of Avison Young’s overall capital markets business both in partnership and oversight with Marion Jones, the principal and executive managing director of U.S. capital markets who joined the firm earlier this year, the company said.