CHICAGO-Steven Douglas has joined locally-based General Growth Properties Inc. as EVP, CFO and director of accounting and finance, effective immediately. Douglas has left his post as president of New York City-based Brookfield Properties Corp. to take the position.

Douglas takes over for Ed Hoyt, who has been GGP’s interim chief financial officer since 2008. Hoyt will continue to serve as SVP, chief accounting officer for GGP.

Adam Metz, GGP’s CEO, said in a statement that he thinks Douglas is well qualified to lead the REIT as it emerges from bankruptcy . “We are nearing completion of our restructuring and emergence process, and adding Steve to our team further enhances our position for long-term success.”

Douglas has a history with Brookfield Asset Management, the firm that is investing billions of dollars to help GGP out of bankruptcy. Prior to his role as president of Brookfield Properties, which he assumed in 2009, Douglas was a senior managing partner at the Toronto-based Brookfield Asset Management, where he focused on the company’s operations and international portfolio.

From 2003 to 2006, he was chief financial officer of Falconbridge Limited. From 1996 until 2003, Douglas served as chief financial officer of Brookfield Properties, a period that saw the company’s re-launch as a public company and the completion of three major acquisitions. Douglas joined Brookfield from Ernst & Young.

Ric Clark, CEO at Brookfield Properties, said in a statement that the president position will remain open for the immediate future. “We thank Steve for his invaluable contributions to the success of Brookfield Properties, and wish him well as he joins General Growth,” Clark said.

GGP currently has ownership interest and management responsibility for more than 200 regional shopping malls in 43 states, as well as ownership in planned community developments and commercial office buildings.