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Bentley Condo’s being built by Yorkton in Prestigious Windsor Park

Yorkton Group International Ltd.

Celebrating 25 Years

By Nerissa McNaughton

E

ics using a systematic approach before stablished in 1989 and re-branded implementation.” to Yorkton Group International in Liyanage is the executive vice presi2001 by Ben Lui and Reg Liyanage, dent. Joey Sun is the vice president of this company has become a full serfinance, Sam Sit is in charge of Yorkton vice real estate development firm with Realty and Debra Gvozdic heads up Yorits corporate headquarters located in kton Management and operations. “ToEdmonton. Areas of expertise include gether we continue to strive for the next land development, home building, comhigher level of excellence with a strong mercial construction, real estate investand healthy culture of engagement ment and asset management.

“With extensive knowledge and a among all our employees,” Lui explains.

What sets Yorkton apart from their proven track record in real estate investcompetitors is “strong leadership and ment, the founders decided to share their employee contribution that provides a expertise with general investors and colsound corporate culture with extensive lectively benefit from the vast opportunities in the real estate market,” explains knowledge and experience in the indusLui, president and CEO of Yorkton Group. try; along with foresight, vision, and the “I just love it. To me, working at Yorkton is ability and willingness to take calculated Yorkton Towers Approved by city of risks using our conservative approach happiness. The time I spend on my work Edmonton in 2014 that can achieve superior results.” is happier for me than traveling, golfing Approximately 100 Yorkton employees are what Lui calls or going on a cruise. This is what I enjoy. That is why I put in “team players with positive attitudes and a strong culture of a lot of hours at work without feeling any pressure or stress, because this is what I love.” engagement, solution oriented, self-motivated, respectful, loyal and trustworthy.” Collectively, they enjoy providing exceptional Lui, whose background was in IT (Information technology) and accounting before he decided to focus full time results for the shareholders and clients by investing in secured and hassle-free real estate portfolios and developments. on real estate investment, development and asset management, finds his previous career helps Yorkton succeed.

“Employees are the most valuable asset of Yorkton. With“I’m very systematic,” he smiles. “I believe in establishing out them, Yorkton would not be what it is today. We give our heartfelt thanks to all our staff for their dedication, loyalty, well planned and organized business models and analytYorkton Group International Ltd. | 25 Years | Page 1 79

Ben Lui

and sacrifice, as well as making our workplace a happy and enjoyable one for everyone,” smiles Lui. Among the company’s many projects, Bellamy Hill stands out. It was one of Yorkton’s recent projects, and remains one of their most successful to date. “Our clients invested $20,000 for each investment unit in early 2000 and achieved up to a $330,000 payout per unit over a six year time frame,” Lui points out.

Recent projects include marketing and developing the Bentley luxury condominiums in Windsor Park, acquisition and rezoning of the Pacific Rim Mall property for a twin tower (up to $200 million mix use development), successfully acquiring approximately 1,000 acres of raw land in the Edmonton region for long term holding and development, and a Howard Johnson Hotel to diversify into the hospitality industry.

These and other projects fit Yorkton’s mandate of looking at what Lui calls “undervalued properties with significant upside potential and/or going through change of use development process in an anticipated growing economy at the right time.”

As diverse as they are experienced, Yorkton’s interests include over 40 affiliate companies and agencies around the globe. “We are on a mission to expand our knowledge and areas of expertise, and to encompass as many areas in the

Congratulations to the Yorkton team on their success!

real estate field as possible. Investing in hotels is just another recent step in our forward march,” explains Lui. Yorkton is active in the community. “We believe in sharing success with the communities,” says Lui. We are proud supporters of: Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, Youth Empowerment & Support Services, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, World Vision, Ronald MacDonald House, etc.”

It’s been a long time since Lui was working in IT, but the lessons he has learned over the course of his career have served him well on the job and in life. “Be visionary and innovative, open to unlimited possibilities,” he encourages fellow entrepre-

Congratulations to Yorkton Group on their 25th anniversary!

Best Wishes from the Partners of Collins Barrow.

DANIEL HAGG, Q.C. LEGAL COUNSEL P. 780.425.1900 | F. 780.429.5054 | E. Dan@hagglaw.com

Page 2 | Yorkton Group International Ltd. | 25 Years

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neurs. “Plan strategically and be decisive. Be self-disciplinary, humble and respectful. Always reach out to learn from others successes and failures. Build lifetime partnerships with clients, employees, suppliers, and contractors, and bankers to flourish the win-win environment. Remain fully dedicated, yet maintain a healthy balance between work and family. Be responsible to society and to share success with your community.”

Yorkton Group would like to thank their dedicated and loyal staff, investors, shareholders and their families for believing in them and for their continued support. They would also like to thank their suppliers, consultants and bankers for their strong support.

“We operate our business with integrity and trust,” Lui concludes. “We put our clients first, looking out for their best interests. We develop and construct properties by delivering the best possible values and quality for our buyers and tenants. We treat our shareholders’ and investors’ hard-earned money as if it was our own.”

Moving forward, Yorkton perceives the recent economic downturn in Alberta is a temporally correction; a window of opportunity to expand and build on a sound foundation to achieve Yorkton’s 2020 vision.

2430 Manulife Place 10180-101 Street Edmonton, Alberta Office: 780-409-8228 • Fax: 780-409-9228 Toll Free: 1-866-409-8228 www.yorktongroup.com

Congratulations to Yorkton Group on their 25th anniversary.

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