History
Discover how the firm that is now CBRE Investment Management evolved into a leading global real assets investment manager.
1773
Origins:
William Ellis sets up as an “upholder and appraiser” in London. A few years later he employed his nephew, Richard Ellis, as his apprentice. The Ellis family continuously ran and expanded the firm until 1938.
1906
Coldwell Banker Formed:
Colbert Coldwell founded his company in San Francisco on a philosophy that was revolutionary at the time: integrity, ethics and placing the clients’ best interests first. His ensuing partner, Arthur Banker, shared these values.1972
Asset Management Business Started:
Coldwell Banker Asset Management Services is established in the U.S., and Hillier Parker Fund Management Group is established in the UK.1992
Securities Business Founded:
Campbell-Radnor Advisors, which later became CBRE Clarion Securities, is founded in Radnor, Pennsylvania.1995
U.S. Investment Management Business Grows:
Coldwell Banker’s investment management capabilities are expanded in the U.S. through the acquisition of Westmark Realty Advisors.1996
ING REIM Formed:
ING Real Estate Investment Management is founded. It would grow to nearly $60 billion in assets under management before merging with CBRE’s investment management platform in 2011.1998
CB Commercial Acquires Richard Ellis:
CB Commercial acquires Richard Ellis in 29 countries and is renamed CB Richard Ellis (CBRE)1998
CBRE’s Investment Division Becomes CBRE Investors:
Westmark Realty Advisors is renamed CB Richard Ellis Investors (CBRE Investors). Hillier Parker Fund Management Group is acquired by CBRE and incorporated into CBRE Investors.2000
Fund of Funds Business Started:
ING RE Select (fund of funds) is founded.2000
Flagship Fund Series Started:
CBRE Investors launches Strategic Partners I, L.P., a value-add fund with a total capitalization of $800 million.2006
CBRE Expands Platform Into Development:
CBRE named to the S&P 500 upon its acquisition of top real estate developer Trammell Crow Company.2006
CBRE Global Multi-Manager Formed:
CBRE Investors Global Multi-Manager platform is formed through the acquisition of Oxford Property Consultants.2006
Caledon Capital Management Founded:
Caledon Capital Management launches in Toronto to develop and manage infrastructure and private equity investment programs.2008
First Private Equity Mandate:
Caledon is selected to manage the private equity program of an $8 billion Canadian public pension plan.2010
First Infrastructure Mandate:
Caledon is selected to assist with developing and managing a new infrastructure program of a $25 billion Canadian institution.2011
World-class Platforms Merge:
CBRE acquires ING Real Estate Investment Management’s European and Asian platforms, as well as ING Clarion Real Estate Securities. The new companies are CBRE Global Investors and CBRE Clarion Securities.2011
Caledon Expands to the U.S.:
A U.S. public pension plan selects CBRE Caledon to manage its infrastructure funds program and source co-investment opportunities.2012
Expansion into Infrastructure:
CBRE Clarion launches the Global Listed Infrastructure Strategy, expanding the platform beyond real estate into real assets.2014
Global Investment Partners Established:
CBRE Global Multi Manager becomes CBRE Global Investment Partners and expands investment program offering.2017
Focus Expanded to Private Real Assets:
Caledon joins the CBRE Global Investors platform, becoming CBRE Caledon and expanding the platform’s private investments beyond real estate into real assets.2021
Brands Merge:
CBRE Global Investors, CBRE Clarion and CBRE Caledon brands merge into a single brand: CBRE Investment ManagementRecent Press Releases
-
CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund (NYSE: IGR) Announces Approval of 1-for-3 Reverse Stock Split and Adjustment to Monthly Distribution
August 25, 2026
CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund (NYSE: IGR) approves a 1-for-3 reverse stock split and raises its monthly distribution.
-
CBRE Investment Management Achieves Full Occupancy at 10 Gresham Street with 32,400 Sq Ft Let to MetLife
August 19, 2026
CBRE IM lets the final floor at 10 Gresham Street to MetLife, bringing the refurbished City of London office to full occupancy.
-
CBRE Investment Management has acquired Peppermill Logistics Center, a 100% leased Class A ±107,000-sq-ft asset in the Baltimore-Washington Corridor.
-
CBRE Investment Management Acquires 2.3 Million-Square-Foot East Coast Logistics Portfolio
August 12, 2026
CBRE IM acquires 2.3M-sq-ft, six-building East Coast logistics portfolio in NJ, Charlotte and Atlanta.
-
CBRE Investment Management appoints Alice Wilcox as Head of EMEA Client Solutions, effective 1 November 2026.
-
CBRE Investment Management Completes Seed Acquisition for UK Single Family Housing Strategy
July 28, 2026
CBRE Investment Management completes 222-home single family housing seed acquisition in South East England with Moda Living and Bellway.
-
CBRE Investment Management Acquires Build-to-Rent Residential Asset in Valencia to Deliver Homes for Middle‑Income Households
July 15, 2026
CBRE Investment Management acquires a 147-unit build-to-rent residential asset in Valencia, Spain, expanding its European affordable housing portfolio.
-
CBRE Investment Management Appoints Karoline Nader-Gräff to Lead Urban Destinations in EMEA
June 30, 2026
CBRE IM appoints Karoline Nader-Gräff as Head of EMEA Urban Destinations, succeeding Eric Decouvelaere at year-end.
-
CBRE Investment Management and Virtuo Co-develop Cadences, a Multi-Storey Urban Logistics Scheme in Greater Paris
June 29, 2026
CBRE IM and Virtuo co-develop Cadences, a multi-storey urban logistics scheme in Bezons, Greater Paris, targeting BREEAM Outstanding.
-
CBRE Investment Management acquires an eight-asset, 327,000 sqm Grade A logistics portfolio across Italy's top logistics corridors.