The commercial real estate market isn’t just about making big deals, it’s about creating an investment strategy that, when done right, can lead to long-term success. To get it right means having an experienced team of veteran brokers helping you navigate the upticks and the downturns of the market. That’s where ClearView Commercial Realty comes into play.
ClearView was founded by Steve Vesuwalla, who left his previous company in 2019 to start his own brokerage. “I got my broker’s license and away I went,” Vesuwalla recalls. Not long after, Doug Johannson joined him, and the two began building the company that would expand significantly in 2023 when the team from Target Realty came on board. It included partners Wayne Berry and Brad Stone. Between those four, ClearView boasts over a century’s worth of experience. The merger enhanced the firm’s capabilities, allowing it to handle a wide range of commercial real estate transactions. Today, ClearView employs a team of 10 brokers operating out of a 5,000-square-foot office space.
The company has carved out a niche in industrial real estate, a sector that demands a deep understanding of client needs. “Industrial tends to be very specific, from location and ceiling height to power requirements and loading capabilities,” Johannson explains. “Understanding those specifics for our clients and whether they have the bandwidth and capabilities to execute a deal is crucial.”
ClearView tailors its services to meet the unique needs of its clients, whether it’s a startup, an established business, or a large corporation. That’s where the firm’s depth of experience matters. “We’re problem solvers,” says Stone. “A client will have a complex problem, and we find a solution for them in the marketplace through our knowledge of the market, the available inventory, and staying in touch with the broader brokerage community, as well.”
This client-centric approach is critical to ClearView’s success “As a small company, you don’t necessarily get all of the corporate mandate business that some national firms can develop out of major markets like Toronto or New York,” stresses Vesuwalla. “Developing and maintaining local relationships with Calgary-based businesses is our forte. We’re all Calgary-based. We live here, our profits stay here, and our focus is on doing business with Calgary companies. Those relationships are critical.”
With that said, one notable achievement for the company is the 100,000-square-foot lease for FedEx in Edmonton, facilitated through Vesuwalla’s connections and collaborations within the industry. “I got a referral from an old colleague in Toronto, and I collaborated with one of my old partners up in Edmonton. It was a built-to-suit project with Remington Development Corp, one of the biggest developers in Alberta.” The FedEx deal highlights the importance ClearView has put on relationship building, networking and expertise, and how necessary they are to land the big deals.
“Our group is well known in the industry,” adds Berry. “We’re very open and communicate very well with other agents, what they’ve got coming, and what they’re looking for. I think we’re one of the best in the city because of it. You can find out a lot about a property without the property even being on the market, just by being able to talk. I think that’s one of our key advantages.”
In a highly competitive market, ClearView differentiates itself not just through its industry knowledge and relationship-building practices, but with its diligent, ethical and thoughtful approach to business. “Everybody that works at our shop, and those we look to hire, are well-rounded, skilled individuals with a passion for the industry,” Vesuwalla says. “Our clients appreciate our transparent approach to business and how we deal with people. We are always striving to uphold the highest ideals in our conduct, ethically and competently.”
The company also prides itself on its partner-led structure and the collaborative and collegial work environment it creates. “For us, the success of the operation means we bring in good people that fit within our corporate culture,” says Johannson. “Everybody gets along very well. It’s a very positive and collaborative environment where working on deals and finding solutions leads to success for everyone involved.”
As the commercial real estate landscape continues to evolve, ClearView is positioning itself to grow and attract quality professionals. Vesuwalla predicts further consolidation among the big multinationals, which spells opportunity for smaller, more agile firms like them. “I think there’s going to be consolidation in our market in the next 12 to 24 months, and we want to position ourselves to be the brokerage of choice for professionals that want a high energy, profitable and enjoyable place to work that’s full of good people,” he says.
In a short time, ClearView Commercial Realty has built a solid reputation with its team of experienced professionals and client-focused approach. It may be the new kid on the block, but Vesuwalla says it’s in name only. “Yes, we’re a fairly new name, but a new name with established brokers. We’re experienced. We know what we’re doing. We collaborate. And we also have a lot of fun.”
205, 6223 2nd St SE, Calgary, AB. T2H 1J5
www.cvpartners.ca
