Baker Real Estate has launched a new commercial division, continuing its diversification efforts.

The launch comes after Baker, a long-time condominium marketer, started up a residential purpose-built rental real estate segment.

The decision to establish the Commercial Division follows the resounding success of Baker’s inaugural commercial project, 95 Corporate Centre in Toronto’s North York district, where the company sold about 90% of the development within just a few months. Leveraging more than 30 years of pre-construction sales experience, Baker aims to deliver unparalleled market analysis, strategic guidance, and sales results for developers in the commercial space, said the company.

“Baker’s entry into the commercial real estate market is our response to the growing demand for our signature high-intensity, fully customized, and polished sales execution,” said Barbara Lawlor, CEO and partner at Baker. “It makes sense to expand Baker’s reach and leverage our extensive expertise in the commercial side of our business to sell units faster.”

The new division already has more than $500 million in commercial projects signed, with a particular focus on opportunities within the CMHC MLI Select Program, said the firm.

Harley Nakelsky, president and partner of Baker, said: “We have a huge portfolio of projects in the CMHC MLI Select program. We are very excited about this product line and what we can do with it under the Baker brand.”

Industry veteran Linda Ta, who has been with Baker for more than 15 years, will lead the division as vice-president of Commercial. She will be joined by Director of Commercial Meet Juneja, an expert in CMHC MLI Select projects.

With the addition of the commercial division, Bakersolidifies its position as a leader in the Canadian real estate sector, offering end-to-end solutions for both residential and commercial developers, according to the company.

Baker has been a leading pre-construction condominium marketing company for more than three decades, operating offices in Toronto, where the company is based, Montreal and Vancouver.

Pictured: 95 Corporate Centre, Toronto

Photo: Baker Real Estate