A trusted name in property management for over 30 years, Ayre & Oxford Inc. specializes in residential, condominium, commercial properties and homeowner associations across Alberta. Founded by John Ayre and Don Oxford, the company, built on honesty and integrity, grew to become a leader in the industry. Today, Ayre & Oxford Inc. manages more than 180 properties with a team of over 230 professionals.
“We are so excited to celebrate 30 years of excellence in real estate management,” shares Rose Evans, partner, president and broker. “As we mark this milestone, we reflect on our journey as an innovative, industry-leading real estate management company. Since our founding 30 years ago, we have remained committed to delivering exceptional service, building strong partnerships and adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of real estate management. Over the past three decades we have continually embraced innovation, set new industry standards and remained steadfast in our mission to provide superior property management solutions.”
As the pandemic introduced changes to the way businesses operated, Ayre & Oxford Inc. chose to leverage technology to enhance virtual communication and its IT infrastructure. During the pandemic, the company also focused heavily on the team’s mental well-being. These changes continue into the long-term.
“Khurram Hudda, CPA, joined our partnership team and became our CFO,” Evans adds of additional recent milestones. “He brought his experience of working in commercial, condo and residential property management, aspiring to support and strengthen the accounting team and advise the board on business development.”
She adds, “We believe our company success remains attributed to the outstanding service of our dedicated team members and their contributions in the industry.”
Ayre & Oxford Inc. has a strong focus on education and professional development, encouraging their team members to pursue industry-leading designations such as CPM® (Certified Property Manager) and ARM® (Accredited Residential Manager) through IREM, (the Institute of Real Estate Management) and REIC, (The Real Estate Institute of Canada)—something that sets them apart in the property management industry.
Updates to its statement of expression and core values also reflect Ayre & Oxford Inc.’s continued commitment to providing an outstanding corporate culture backed by excellence in client service.
“We prioritize communication, transparency, integrity and accountability in all aspects of our business. We treat our employees, customers and partners with respect and fairness, providing ongoing mentorship while building a positive and inclusive work environment. We are committed to sustainability and social responsibility, taking steps to contribute to the well-being of our community,” notes Evans.
Part of the values Ayre & Oxford Inc. embrace include empowering employees to be active in the community. A donation policy encourages employees to submit requests for specific support to the volunteer charity committee for review and approval.
Last year, the company was thrilled to make a very important announcement.
Evans explains, “We are pleased to announce that, in addition to finalizing the lease negotiations for our new office space at EVER Square, in 2024 we expanded our shareholder base to include EVER RED Real Estate Developments Ltd. We’re enthusiastic about the synergies this partnership has brought.”
EVER Square is EVER RED’s flagship development located at Calgary Trail and Gateway Blvd. The site hosts several national franchises, wellness and medical providers and professional tenants.
Sam Narayan, partner and president of EVER Real Estate Developments, is excited about the partnership too, noting, “On behalf of EVER, I offer our congratulations to Ayre & Oxford Inc. for a remarkable 30 years of success! This is a tremendous milestone, and we feel privileged to be part of the next chapter as we create synergies between our organizations. By leveraging Ayre & Oxford Inc.’s expert knowledge, and sterling reputation, we look forward to continued growth and prosperity for our organizations.”
Another change involves the updated logo design, which was finalized in collaboration with an internal volunteer committee headed by partner, vice president and associate broker Robyn Brown.
“One surprising thing that the ordinary person may not know about Ayre & Oxford Inc. is that, beyond traditional property management, we take a customized approach to each property, tailoring management strategies to fit the unique needs of each client and community,” says Brown. “This means we go beyond a one-size-fits-all model and instead focus on hands-on, proactive solutions that align with both owner objectives and tenant satisfaction.”
Paul Jones, partner, vice president, associate broker, agrees, pointing out the necessity of this nimble approach as the profession continues to change.
“The local rental and leasing markets have experienced significant growth over the past year, a trend that we expect to continue into 2025,” says Jones. “However, with changes in both the U.S. and Canadian governments, various factors could influence market dynamics. The next few months will be critical in determining the direction of the market as policy shifts and economic conditions and housing supply trends come into focus.”
Marcy McMillan, partner, director of corporate finance; and Khurram Hudda, partner, CFO, also weigh in on the changes and how Ayre & Oxford Inc.’s proactive planning, depth of experience and vision ensures the company’s positive trajectory despite changing times.
“Rising operational costs have had a huge impact. Much of which are a direct result of inflation and economic downturn, but also technological advancements and condominium industry regulatory licensing requirements, which influenced employee recruitment efforts. Economic downturns affected the demand for rental properties. We prepare for uncertainty and are adaptable when it comes to strategies like lease renewals or rent adjustments.”
Brown adds, “Edmonton’s retail commercial sector is also evolving in response to shifting consumer behaviours, population growth and the increasing integration of retail within residential developments. One of the most notable trends is the rise of mixed-use developments, where new residential buildings are strategically coupled with retail spaces to enhance convenience for residents. This shift is particularly evident in high-density neighbourhoods and transit-oriented developments, where accessibility and walkability are key factors in urban planning.”
The firm’s foundation, values and the team the company has built up over 30 years ensures that they and their clients have the means to thrive no matter how the world changes around them.
“We build trust and long-term relationships with our stakeholders, ensuring the success and growth of our company,” smiles Evans.
With 30 years of experience comes well deserved recognition. Ayre & Oxford Inc. is proud to have earned reaccreditation of the ACCREDITED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (AMO®), accreditation from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®) and affiliation Real Estate institute of Cananda (REIC).
“The AMO® accreditation is awarded to real estate firms that have a track record of high performance, experience, stability, financial accountability and have a CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER ® (CPM®) directing and supervising the real estate management team,” explains Evans. “In addition, AMO® firms must abide by a rigorous code of professional ethics that is strictly enforced by the Institute. Earning the AMO accreditation tells owners, investors and clients that their properties are in the best possible hands. The addition of Ayre & Oxford brought the number of AMO Firms in Canada to five.”
Additionally, for an impressive 15 years, Ayre & Oxford Inc. has been recognized as a Consumer Choice Award winner – this year in the category of commercial property management in Edmonton and Northern Alberta.
Evans concludes, “We extend our deepest gratitude to our valued clients, dedicated team members and industry partners who have been instrumental in our success. As we look to the future, we are excited to continue leading the way in real estate management, shaping the industry with forward-thinking strategies and unwavering commitment to excellence. While our beloved John Ayre passed away in 2019 and Mr. Oxford retired from the company in 2020, we carry on the legacy and continue to build on the success of our founders.”