Laurier Capital and Kevlar Real Estate will merge their operations into a fully integrated commercial real estate platform, the companies announced.

The merger is slated to take effect January 1, 2027. The firms said the agreement will combine Kevlar’s development expertise with Laurier’s investment and capital-markets capabilities. As part of the transaction, Kevlar will be rebranded as Laurier Development.

Guillaume Jacob, co-founder and partner at Laurier, said the integration is “a defining step” in the firm’s growth.

“We founded Laurier Capital to build a fully integrated commercial real estate platform and invest with conviction across the risk-return spectrum to capitalize on market dislocations,” he said. “The addition of a development division fits perfectly with our ambition. Kevlar’s track record, its team, and the culture that René and Karl built aligned with our plan.”

Under the new structure, Karl Perto will become partner and head of development, assuming operational leadership of Laurier Development, while Kevlar founder René Bellerive will remain involved as chairman.

“Kevlar has spent three decades proving that disciplined development and design excellence are the same ambition, not a compromise,” Bellerive said. “Joining forces with Laurier Capital gives us the platform and the capital markets reach to do that at greater scale.”

Founded in 1996, Montreal-based Kevlar has completed and is developing projects representing about $2.9 billion in total development costs and approximately 6,000 residential units. Laurier Capital, founded by Jacob and Laurent Dionne-Legendre, manages $150 million in assets and invests in institutional-grade commercial real estate.

The companies focus their activities on Quebec.

Pictured: Quartier Mosaique multi-family project in Quebec City on which Kevlar is partnering.

Photo: Kevlar Real Estate