Colliers International Group Inc. (CIGI-T) is rebranding its investment management division to Harrison Street Asset Management, inheriting the name of a global operator which Colliers majority owns.

Toronto-based commercial real estate services firm and asset manager Colliers announced a shuffling of Harrison Street’s leadership in light of the change.

Christopher Merrill, co-founder and CEO of Harrison Street, will take the additional role of global CEO and become the largest individual shareholder of Harrison Street. 

Colliers’ co-chief investment officer Zachary Michaud will join Harrison Street as managing partner and global CFO.

Harrison Street's CFO Stephen Gordon will assume the additional roles of managing partner and global COO.

Other leadership roles across Harrison Street’s specialized operating platforms and investment teams will remain unchanged, according to a release.

“By harnessing the expertise of our partners and teams across the platform, we aim to scale our capabilities and position Harrison Street as a premier global investment partner,” Merrill said in the announcement.

“With over two decades of leadership in alternative investment management across infrastructure, real estate and credit, we are well positioned to deliver innovative investment and capital solutions for our clients.”

About Colliers, Harrison Street

Colliers acquired a 75 per cent ownership interest in Chicago-based Harrison Street in 2018, spending up to $550 million (all figures US) for the stake. Harrison Street’s senior management team held the remainder of its equity.

The companies have approximately $100 billion in assets under management and operate globally.

Known for its real estate services and industry research, Colliers has been actively acquiring companies as of late.

Earlier this year, the Canadian company acquired Triovest's Canadian commercial real estate services platform from Coril Holdings. Triovest was subsequently rebranded to Colliers.

The engineering sector has been of particular interest to Colliers. Since 2024, the company acquired Toronto-based Englobe Corporation, Park Ridge, Ill.-based Terra Consulting Group and Calgary-based Higher Ground Consulting.

Harrison Street operates investment funds for real estate, infrastructure and credit. Alternative real estate is a particular focus, such as student housing, seniors living, medical offices, life sciences, storage and digital assets.

On the student housing front, the company has acquired several projects in Canada including Le Mildoré, a 279-bed project in downtown Montreal, and partnered with Gracorp Properties to develop a 645-unit student and working professional housing project in Calgary’s University District.

The four-storey Evolution Block in Vancouver was Harrison Street’s first acquisition of a Canadian life sciences asset, a transaction announced in 2023.

Harrison Street says it will continue to utilize the expertise of its investment professionals from Basalt Infrastructure Partners, Versus Capital, Rockwood Capital and Colliers Global Investors after the rebranding.

It also plans to continue to expand its global distribution capabilities and pursue new strategies, asset classes and verticals.