The 5 Best Calgary Commercial Real Estate Agencies That’ll Find Your Business’s Next Home for You
I’ve supported my best friend ever since she started her small business and it’s been a real delight seeing it grow. From her first few orders to her first employee, I’ve enjoyed helping her through the ups and downs.
Her latest challenge seems to be the biggest though — finding a retail space. Her inventory has gotten so big that it just wasn’t optimal to keep it all at her house anymore.
With certain budget limitations and specific storage requirements, we knew we needed the help of the pros. Of all the commercial real estate agencies we reached out to in Calgary, these were the ones that impressed us the most.
How much do commercial real estate services cost in Calgary?
Commercial real estate agents in Calgary usually impose a ‘7/3 split’ commission, meaning that they’ll charge 7% from the first $100,000 and 3% on the rest of the remaining sale balance.
1. CORE Commercial Real Estate
Address: Canada Place, 407 2 St SW #830
Phone: +1 587 356 2074
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:15 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
CORE Commercial Real Estate is a highly recommended agency when it comes to commercial properties. And it’s clear why — they’ve got the awards to back their reputation.
Upon reaching out, we immediately noticed that they cater to different kinds of business owners. They offer help with various properties, including office, medical, industrial, and retail spaces.
Sadly, their services are mainly focused on helping tenants. So those who are looking to sell properties would have to go to another agency.
But if you do end up working with them, they’ll handle all the difficult parts for you. They’ll be the ones communicating with landlords and won’t stop negotiating until you’re happy.
They’re very patient throughout the process. We believe that a part of what makes them so effective is that they work as a team to find the ideal solution for clients.
Would not hesitate to recommend them
“Jeff was informative and helpful from our very first call. Pleasant to work with and patient with our neediness, he found us a great space with an amazing deal. I’m 100% confident I could not have achieved a similar deal without his help. If you’re looking for commercial realtors in Calgary, I would not hesitate to recommend Jeff and his team at CORE Commercial Real Estate.”
-Jamie Easton, Google Review
They did an amazing job
“Jeff and his team did an amazing job to help us move our office to a new space downtown. They were very involved in helping us find a space that was tailored to our needs, did an amazing job with our lease negotiations, and even helped keep the contractors in line. We would recommend Jeff and his team in a heartbeat.”
-Chris Morris, Google Review
2. RE/MAX Commercial Properties
Address: 4034 16 St SW, Calgary
Phone: +1 403 204 9300
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
The professionals at RE/MAX Commercial Properties are familiar with the ins and outs of commercial real estate. They’ve assisted many clients with property transactions for over 20 years.
Even before contacting them, we enjoyed browsing their properties online. Their site is global, so you’ll have a wider reach, including out-of-town buyers looking for opportunities in Calgary.
When it came to looking for an agent, we were surprised at how many there were across the country (over thousands!). You can just look for one that’s based in the area that you’re eyeing so you can be sure they have local market knowledge.
That being said, not all agents have the same approach. Consequently, you might have to contact a couple before finding the right one.
But once you connect with an agent that works for you, it’ll be smooth sailing from there. Your questions will be answered quickly and you won’t have to stress any of the details anymore.
Unmatched service
“I have used many property management companies and no one has came close to the type of service I have received from this company. They are up front with you and keep you in line with the entire process from bringing on tenants and setting rental rates. Looking forward to continued service.”
-Blaine Derewinako, Google Review
Exceptional experience
“I had an exceptional experience with RE/MAX for renting a property. Their customer support system is truly top-notch. From the moment I inquired about available rentals to the day I moved in, their team was incredibly helpful, responsive, and accommodating. They made the entire process smooth and stress-free. I couldn’t be happier with the property I found through RE/MAX, and their outstanding customer support made all the difference. Highly recommended!”
-Tek Bahadur Kshetri, Google Review
3. Darren Abrahamson – Commercial Real Estate – Industrial Leasing and Sales
Address: 407 8 Ave SW Suite 200
Phone: + 403 294 7156
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Darren Abrahamson has been a trusted commercial real estate agent in Calgary for over 25 years.
Throughout most of his career, he has been focused on dealing with industrial properties. Though, because of this, people looking for or selling other office types may have to go elsewhere.
But if his expertise is exactly what you’re looking for, then you’re about to gain a great partnership. He works hard to get to know each of his clients’ businesses and their space requirements.
He always works fast, without sacrificing quality. When we asked his loyal clients, some of them even trusted him so much that they closed deals within hours of reaching out.
But don’t worry, this isn’t the norm for him. In fact, he’s usually meticulous and he’ll keep you updated through every part of the process. With his help, you can be confident that you’ll be informed and equipped to make the right decision.
Extremely helpful during the entire process
“I had a limited time to find a commercial place for rent with rare conditions. Darren was extremely helpful during the entire process. He was prompt, knowledgeable, easy going and approachable. His naturale kindness make you feel stress relief and easy to brake any barriers. Always with valuable advices regarding even small but important details. I highly recommend Darren to anyone in need of commercial real state services.”
-Diana T, Google Review
Service was top-notch
“I would like to leave a positive review for the Darren. The service was top-notch – everything was organized quickly, clearly, and without unnecessary hassle. The realtor took all my preferences into account and helped me find the perfect option. I’m very satisfied with the work! I will definitely reach out again and highly recommend this professional to others.”
-Vitaly Kochanov, Google Review
4. JR Mercantile Real Estate Advisors Inc
Address: 7710 5 St SE #202
Phone: +1 403 770 3071
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Even though JR Mercantile Real Estate specializes in dealing with restaurants and retail establishments, they’ve also handled offices, industrial, retail, and medical properties.
What sets them apart from other agents is that they operate as a team. They have lots of time and the support of other experienced professionals in finding options for clients.
But besides being a brokerage, they’re also advisors. You can rely on them for sound counsel when it comes to negotiations or signing deals.
We were really impressed when we learned that they were dedicated to only having a limited number of clients. This allows them to focus and provide the attention that their clients deserve.
However, we think there’s also a downside to this setup. They only have a small number of properties posted for sale, which can result in fewer people finding them online and potentially limiting the reach of your property listing.
Excellent to work with
“Jeff has been excellent to work with. What has set him apart from others brokers is he is very proactive and actively searches and approaches high quality, suitable tenants that fit our space. He is very knowledgeable, trustworthy and offers great service. I highly recommend his services and will continue to use him for many years”
-Brent Alston, Google Review
Impressed by the quality of work
“We at Investra Ltd. have over the past seven years received excellent service from this well respected firm. We are especially reased by the quality of work, professionalism and tenacity displayed by Mark Biglow, as he was able to sell all our industrial condo units in in our Airdrie project within a very short time frame and desired pricing. We would very much recommend working with JR Mercantile.”
-Andy Strangemann, Google Review
5. Barclay Street Real Estate
Address: 407 8 Ave SW
Phone: +1 403 290 0178
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
For over 40 years, Barclay Street Real Estate has handled many industrial, office, and retail space transactions in Western Canada.
Their longevity in the industry means that they’ve amassed a lot of clients and connections. You’ll have the advantage of great recommendations for new spaces that have just popped up on the market.
We also couldn’t believe just how comprehensive their services are for both tenants and landlords. Not only will you be represented well, but they’ll also make sure that you’re educated through their competitive market analysis and full leasing documentation.
The one complaint we’ve heard is that the customer service of some of their agents could be improved. Depending on who you’re working with, you may have to send follow-up messages to get a response.
For the most part, though, the majority of their agents get praise for their professionalism and dedication to solving issues.
Very knowledgeable and super helpful
“Talha and his team are very knowledgeable and super helpful. They are professional and hard working people and have never disappointed me or my clients. I highly recommend to get in touch with him for retail leasing and commercial real estate in calgary and surrounding area.”
-Adeel Pirzada, Google Review
A pleasure to work with
“Andrew Sherbut was a tremendous help with securing the right building/location/landlord for our business. He was thorough, took the time to show us properties which matched our requirements, and always took time to meet or communicate with us effectively. Andrew was a pleasure to work with – we always felt heard and valued.”
-Buffalo 9 Brewing, Google Review