Avison Young Buys Veteran Hollywood Firm Ramsey Shilling

By Morris Newman

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Newly named Avison Young
principal Chris Bonbright

LOS ANGELES-Continuing its bid to become one of North America’s most prominent office brokerages, Toronto-based Avison Young has acquired longstanding L.A. firm Ramsey-Shilling Commercial Real Estate Services Inc., a long-lived real estate brokerage based in Los Angeles. 

Deal terms were not disclosed. “With this acquisition, our name will replace Ramsey Shilling on nearly 300 buildings, bringing us instantaneous recognition in Los Angeles,” says Avison Young principal Neil Resnick. 

With the change in ownership, former Ramsey Shilling execs Christopher V. Bonbright, Mark Evanoff, John Tronson and Michael Dettling have all been named principals in Avison Young. 

The firm is moving fast. The first Los Angeles office opened in August, while another opened in Las Vegas only three weeks ago. 

“With this acquisition, we are staying on task with our goal of establishing a strong base in Los Angeles, hopefully soon to be followed in Orange County and beyond,” says Resnick. 

Currently headed by two former Jones Lang LaSalle execs, Earl Webb and Mark Rose, Avison Young started its big expansion push in 2008, when the firm had 11 Canadian offices and 270 employees. The firm has since grown to 27 offices in North America with nearly 900 employees, according to Resnick.

Categories: West, Office, Acquisitions/Dispositions, Executive Moves, Los Angeles