New Leaders Bring New Dimensions to Real Estate Services in the GTA

Daniel Reid, Managing Director, Toronto North

What are your top priorities as you look to enhance commercial real estate services north of Toronto?

I’m committed to growing the performance focus and enhancing client outcomes while preserving the special culture that’s always existed in our Toronto North office. Our business has always been about individual drive and performance, but if we’re also finding new ways to collaborate, leverage each other’s success and relationships and innovate together, I think we can really raise the bar on service and market share.

What advantage do you have as a seasoned broker who has been with CBRE’s Toronto North office for a decade?

Relationships are critical in everything we do.

Knowing the people here as long as I have helps us move forward more quickly and openly. It also helps me to foster synergies for client pursuits – putting our incredible talent together in ways that add even more value for our clients. Trust, experience and familiarity can help to move the needle in so many ways.

Toronto North – what are the big real estate opportunities in your area?

We’re the GTA’s smallest branch by market size, but there is plenty of growth here. Quite a few exciting projects are underway as the region grows and redevelops, in Vaughan, along the Highway 404 corridor and elsewhere. With that comes opportunity for new and deeper relationships with investors and owners. Also, the Markham/ Richmond Hill area is considered 2nd among Canada’s high-tech hubs after Ottawa, and with tech and life sciences being major drivers of recent activity, we expect some opportunity for growth there as well.

What lesson from your brokerage career would you share with younger sales professionals?

One of my first deals was with a group of engineers who had just left a large national firm to start their own company. I found them 1,300 sq. ft. in a C-class office development, stayed with them, and over the course of my career they grew to occupy over 50,000 sq. ft. in multiple markets. It showed me the growth that a client can experience and the stewardship role you can play - making sure they’re making smart real estate decisions along the way.

What’s the greatest advice you’ve received working in the real estate industry?

You have to put clients first. It sounds like a cliché, but if you really live by that, never waver on it – even if there’s financial incentive to do so – you gain the most valuable commodity of all – trust. You let that shine through in every interaction, always think about things from their perspective, and they’ll be loyal and open and straightforward with you, as well as shutting out your competition. There is nothing better than to have a long list of loyal clients who would never work with anyone else.

What is one thing your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?

I sing in a band with some people at the cottage. We all come from different places and careers and backgrounds, but we all love music and take every opportunity to get together and jam. Mostly 60’s and 70’s rock like Wilson Pickett, Bob Seger, Steve Miller Band and the Eagles, but we slip some grunge and Tragically Hip in there, too. I don’t know how good we are, but we have a ton of fun doing it.

As summer ended and businesses refocused on a strong finish to 2021, CBRE hit the ground running with two key additions to the management team in the Greater Toronto Area. Daniel Reid is the new Managing Director in our Toronto North office and Michael Case is teaming up with Jon Ramscar to lead the Toronto Downtown office. We recently caught up with Dan and Michael to hear about real estate opportunities, lessons they learned over the years and the advice they have for the next generation of sales professionals.

Michael Case, Managing Director, Toronto Downtown

How do you see your mission to enhance tenant representation and agency leasing as Toronto Downtown’s new Managing Director?

I’m loving every minute of this new role. My high-level vision for the Office Leasing Team is to build upon our culture of winning, increase adoption of our technology tools to better service our clients; and help our people elevate their careers and achieve their goals. Ultimately that is what success looks for CBRE and our clients.

You’ve worked in brokerage for years, what is it like to transition to CBRE?

I have always admired CBRE from a distance. There are a lot of great, talented people here including many of the future leaders of our industry. Needless to say, CBRE has kept me on my toes in competition my entire career, and I am thrilled to now be a part of the best real estate services team in the business.

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in Toronto office leasing right now?

The challenges get a lot of airtime, but I do see plenty of opportunity. Every company in the city is currently re-evaluating their real estate needs. As groups adjust their office footprints, it will be hard to hit the bullseye in this dynamic environment. Some will shed too much space while others may retain too much. Workplace strategy has never been more important, and our advisors will help companies adjust and correct over the next few years.

Do you remember an early deal that had a big impact on your career?

Very early in my career I was fortunate to land a ~40,000 square foot mandate. I worked very hard on this deal for many months, and as we approached lease execution, I was feeling on top of the world. Plot twist: The deal then unexpectedly died, and the office requirement was cancelled. It was a heartbreaking experience, but it forced me to pick up the pieces, work even harder, and certainly made me appreciate this business even more. There is no replacement for hard work and determination. You’re going to have humbling experiences, learn from them. Even when things are going well, stay humble and focused on your clients. What was the greatest advice you’ve received working in the world of real estate?

Your reputation is everything. Always be professional, do the right thing for your clients, and success will follow.

What is one thing your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?

Dangerous question! I’ll have to go with my taste in music, which is on the “heavier” rock side, much to my family’s dismay. I am looking forward to experiencing live music again soon.