Avison Young Elevates Client Solutions with New Real Estate and Infrastructure Consulting Division, Led by Industry Visionary Scott Pickles

In a significant expansion of its professional services offerings, Toronto-based Avison Young has officially launched a dedicated Real Estate and Infrastructure Consulting division. This strategic initiative is set to redefine how public, private, and not-for-profit organizations approach their property and infrastructure assets, transforming them from mere expenditures into powerful tools for strategic growth and operational efficiency. Spearheading this pivotal new service is Scott Pickles, a highly respected industry veteran whose extensive expertise and holistic perspective promise to deliver unparalleled value to clients across Canada.

Strategic Expansion to Meet Evolving Market Demands

The introduction of this new consulting service reflects Avison Young’s deep understanding of the increasingly complex and dynamic real estate and infrastructure landscape. Organizations today face unprecedented pressures to modernize, enhance efficiency, respond immediately to changing service demands, and maximize the benefits derived from their physical assets. Traditional transactional approaches are often insufficient to navigate these challenges effectively. Avison Young’s new division is specifically designed to move beyond conventional brokerage, offering integrated, forward-thinking solutions that address the full lifecycle of real estate and infrastructure projects.

“Scott’s broad experience and leadership as an architect, developer, and public servant have forged him into a trusted strategic advisor across Canada,” comments Sheila Botting, Principal and President, Americas Professional Services at Avison Young. “His arrival is a perfect fit as we strategically grow our professional services consulting footprint nationwide. He possesses a profound understanding of all the dimensions and engagement required to make informed strategic real estate and infrastructure investment decisions, which will be invaluable in guiding our clients on how to best leverage real estate as a potent tool for business success.”

This expansion underscores Avison Young’s commitment to providing comprehensive, client-centric solutions that integrate market intelligence, financial acumen, and strategic planning. The firm aims to help organizations unlock hidden value, mitigate risks, and align their real estate and infrastructure portfolios with their overarching business objectives and long-term vision.

Introducing Scott Pickles: A Leader with Multidisciplinary Expertise

Scott Pickles brings nearly two decades of invaluable experience to Avison Young, making him an ideal leader for this transformative service. His career trajectory showcases a unique blend of strategic, financial, and infrastructure advisory services delivered to a diverse clientele spanning public, not-for-profit, and private sectors throughout Canada. Prior to joining Avison Young, Scott held a significant role at another leading professional services firm, where he consistently demonstrated his capacity to drive meaningful change and deliver exceptional results.

Scott’s professional journey is distinguished by his multidisciplinary background, which offers clients a truly holistic perspective on real estate and infrastructure challenges. As a registered architect, he possesses a fundamental understanding of design, functionality, and constructability. His experience as a sustainable real estate developer further enhances his ability to advise on environmentally responsible and economically viable projects. Moreover, his tenure in various roles within municipal government has equipped him with critical insights into public policy, urban planning, regulatory frameworks, and community engagement – factors that are often crucial for successful infrastructure and large-scale development projects.

This rich and varied experience enables Scott to “deliver complex, transformational real estate projects that advance strategy, innovation, and growth,” as highlighted by the company. He is renowned for his capacity to navigate intricate challenges, synthesize diverse information, and formulate actionable strategies that yield tangible benefits.

Further solidifying his commitment to cutting-edge and sustainable practices, Scott is a Green MBA and a LEED 2.0 accredited professional. These credentials are not merely badges but reflect a deep-seated commitment to integrating environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability into every project, a critical imperative for modern real estate and infrastructure development. Under his leadership, Avison Young’s clients can expect advice that not only meets their immediate needs but also positions them for future resilience and responsible growth.

A Client-Centric Approach: Beyond Transactions

Scott Pickles emphasizes the strategic importance of this new offering, stating, “In today’s changing world, there are increasing demands on organizations to modernize, be more efficient, respond immediately to changing service demands, and increase their ability to maximize benefits. Instead of merely addressing the transactional nature of real estate, Avison Young’s collaborative culture presents a unique opportunity to solve critical problems through creative real estate solutions that are tailor-made for clients’ requirements, whether they be public, not-for-profit, or private entities.”

This philosophy is at the core of Avison Young’s new consulting division. It’s about moving beyond simply buying, selling, or leasing property. It’s about strategic advisory that considers:

Asset Optimization: Ensuring that every asset in a portfolio is performing at its peak potential.
Capital Planning: Guiding informed investment and divestment decisions to align with financial goals.
Risk Mitigation: Identifying and addressing potential challenges associated with real estate and infrastructure projects.
Sustainability Integration: Implementing green building practices, energy efficiency measures, and resilient design.
Technology Adoption: Leveraging proptech and other innovations to enhance operational efficiency and user experience.
Future-Proofing Portfolios: Developing long-term strategies that anticipate market shifts and future needs.

The team will work closely with clients to understand their unique organizational goals, operational realities, and financial constraints. This collaborative, bespoke approach ensures that solutions are not just effective, but also deeply integrated into the client’s overall strategy, providing lasting value.

Addressing Key Challenges in Real Estate and Infrastructure

The demands on modern organizations are multifaceted. Businesses, governments, and non-profits alike are grappling with challenges such as:

Rapid Urbanization: The need for smart, sustainable urban development and efficient public infrastructure.
Climate Change: The imperative to build resilient infrastructure and sustainable buildings that reduce carbon footprints.
Digital Transformation: Integrating technology into every aspect of real estate and infrastructure management.
Economic Volatility: The need for flexible, adaptive real estate strategies that can withstand market fluctuations.
Funding Gaps: Innovative financing models for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Aging Infrastructure: The challenge of modernizing and maintaining existing assets.

Avison Young’s Real Estate and Infrastructure Consulting service, under Scott Pickles’ leadership, is poised to guide clients through these complexities. By offering expert advice on everything from public-private partnerships (PPPs) and master planning to portfolio optimization and sustainable development, the firm aims to transform challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.

A Vision for Sustainable and Impactful Development

Scott Pickles’ expertise in sustainable development and LEED accreditation will be a cornerstone of the new division. In an era where environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are paramount, advising clients on sustainable practices is no longer an option but a necessity. The service will help clients to:

Develop green building strategies and achieve certifications.
Implement energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy solutions.
Design resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding environmental changes.
Incorporate social equity and community benefits into development projects.
Measure and report on the environmental and social impact of their real estate and infrastructure investments.

This focus on sustainability not only contributes to a healthier planet but also enhances asset value, reduces operating costs, and improves corporate reputation.

Avison Young: A Partner in Progress

The launch of the Real Estate and Infrastructure Consulting division is a testament to Avison Young’s continuous evolution and dedication to serving its clients at the highest level. As a global firm with deep local market expertise, Avison Young is uniquely positioned to deliver this specialized service across Canada and potentially expand its reach. The collaborative nature of Avison Young, combined with the unparalleled experience of Scott Pickles and his growing team, ensures that clients will receive integrated, innovative, and impactful solutions designed to meet their most critical strategic objectives. This move solidifies Avison Young’s role not just as a real estate advisor, but as a true partner in fostering sustainable growth and transformative development.