Colliers International Acquires Leading California Retail Brokerage

-Johnson Hoke, Upscale Retail Experts, To Boost Colliers' Retail Services Division and West Coast Presence -

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move that will immediately bolster the existing retail expertise of its domestic operations, Colliers International today announced that it has acquired Johnson Hoke, San Francisco's leading urban specialty and lifestyle center retail brokerage firm.

By joining Colliers International, Johnson Hoke will become a critical component of one of the world's largest and most sophisticated real estate companies. Johnson Hoke executives including Vikki Johnson, Karen Hoke and Pamela Mendelsohn also will become part of Colliers International's expanding Retail Services Group, serving many of the world's largest and best-known retailers and retail landlords.  

In conjunction with Colliers retail experts located throughout the country, the Johnson Hoke team will focus on expanding and strengthening the organization's retail services footprint throughout California and in major markets across the nation.

"Johnson Hoke represents an excellent addition to our fast-growing U.S. retail platform," said Dylan Taylor, chief executive officer of Colliers International in the U.S. "Like Colliers International, Johnson Hoke knows how to enhance the value of their clients' assets through sophisticated lease negotiations and other client services. With their long-standing reputation for creativity and integrity, I am excited to have them now working shoulder-to-shoulder with us as part of Colliers International beginning today."  

"Johnson Hoke is the perfect complement to our existing San Francisco retail team of Ross Portugeis and Glen Jones," said Alan Collenette, Managing Director for Colliers International's operations in San Francisco and Marin County.  "Their clients have always sought them out for their flair and for their matchless knowledge, not just of real estate, but of retailing and merchandising.  They understand how to make intelligent retail real estate decisions.  I am so proud they are now part of our company."

"We are thrilled to add a team with the depth of experience that Vikki (Johnson) and her colleagues possess," said Patrick Duffy, head of the Retail Services Group and president of Colliers International's Houston office. "The Colliers Retail Services Group has expanded over the past few years to include more than 350 of the best retail professionals in North America and over 450 worldwide. The Johnson Hoke team stands among the best in the world, and their arrival will measurably elevate our game."

Founded in 1997 in San Francisco as a boutique retail services firm, Johnson Hoke has since become one of the savviest and most successful firms in their niche market of urban specialty retail. With a focus on the upper end of the retail market, the firm actively advises and consults with developers, landlords and tenants throughout the region.

"I look forward to taking the depth of our experience and utilizing the Colliers platform to provide an international reach for the benefit of our clients. My passion is the bricks and mortar of the business, which is where I want to spend my time," said Vikki Johnson, Managing Director – Colliers International Retail Services Group, San Francisco

"I wake up every day and love what I do; advising our landlord and retail clients. I want to be a part of the finest real estate firm in the world, and I think with Colliers, we will be," said Karen Hoke, Senior Vice President, Colliers International San Francisco

The former Johnson Hoke operation will be rebranded as Colliers International. There will be no staffing changes at either Johnson Hoke or Colliers International based on today's news.

About Colliers International

Colliers International is the third-largest commercial real estate services company in the world with 15,000 professionals operating out of more than 480 offices in 61 countries. A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV; TSX: FSV and FSV.PR.U), it focuses on accelerating success for its clients by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research.  The latest annual survey by the Lipsey Company ranked Colliers International as the second most recognized commercial real estate firm in the world.  

SOURCE Colliers International