Perry and Epstein join Avison Young as principals - also hires Gates, McElaney & Perry; all from Colliers International

Boston, MA According to Michael Smith, Avison Young principal and managing director of the company’s Boston office, leading office real estate professionals Ron Perry and Larry Epstein have joined the firm.

Effective immediately, Perry and Epstein become principals of Avison Young and will continue to focus on assignments for tenants and landlords in the downtown market. Perry and Epstein bring 32 years and 16 years of experience, respectively, to Avison Young. Perry was recently president and head of brokerage at Colliers International and Epstein served as a senior vice-president with the same firm.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ron and Larry, both highly regarded industry leaders and experts in Boston’s dynamic and challenging downtown office market, to Avison Young,” said Smith. “Their well-established track records and diverse experience will benefit investors, landlords and tenants alike. They will play a prominent role in fortifying our unique Principal-led culture and enhancing our client-centric, full-service business line coverage.”

Also joining Avison Young are Jeff Gates and Mike McElaney as senior vice-presidents in the Boston office, and Matt Perry as a senior associate. All three also specialize in office leasing and worked for Colliers.

Smith said, “These strategic appointments emphasize our dedication to expanding Avison Young’s service offerings in Greater Boston and New England to ensure that local, national and global clients have a one-stop solution for all of their office real estate needs. In addition to Ron and Larry, Jeff, Mike and Matt will provide our clients with comprehensive market knowledge as we expand our office sales and leasing service platform in Greater Boston and throughout N.E.”

Avison Young opened its Boston office in October 2010. Over the past seven years, Avison Young has grown from 11 to 77 offices and from 300 to more than 2,200 real estate professionals in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Europe.

“Having watched Avison Young’s growth in Boston since 2010, it’s exciting to see how far the company has come in a short period of time here,” states Perry. “Avison Young’s culture of collaboration will fit perfectly with my clients’ and my own business interests. I’m delighted to be part of our company’s unique Principal-led business model and its highly talented group of office market professionals serving the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe.”

Epstein says he was attracted to Avison Young by its aggressive expansion program in Boston and across the globe. He also sought to join a firm where he could increase his leadership role.

“When I decided to change firms, I recognized that I would have to make the transition as seamless as possible to avoid any service disruptions to my clients,” said Epstein. “With the help of Avison Young’s team in Boston, I have achieved a significant positive change in my career. I’m ecstatic about the opportunity to help Avison Young expand its office sales and leasing footprint in Greater Boston and the rest of New England. I also look forward to working with my new colleagues across the company.”

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 2,200 real estate professionals in 77 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.