Mark Lester
B.A., MCP
Senior Vice President l Unique Properties l Personal Real Estate Corporation
About
Professional Summary
Since 1991 Mark Lester has represented some of Canada’s most spectacular properties. With an educational background in city planning and professional experience as a planner and real estate consultant in Vancouver and Toronto, Mark entered the real estate brokerage world with a unique and informed perspective. Mark’s level of expertise in the marketing and valuation of complex and high profile properties has been recognised by a diverse and discerning client base.
To bring his clients a refined expertise in the sale of unique real estate assets, Mark founded the Unique Properties practice at Colliers International in the late 1990s. Part of his approach was to ensure that the practice established a strong digital presence, yet maintained a pro-active approach to marketing. Since that time, Mark has led the sale of over 25 private islands, Canada’s largest cattle ranch, numerous resorts and development sites, marinas, golf courses, forestry lands and long list of other unique properties throughout Canada and globally, with a combined value of over $1 billion. Both clients and the real estate industry recognize Mark’s business acumen, his thoughtful and creative approach, his discretion, his commitment to relationships, and his relentless pursuit towards a successful outcome.
Mark is widely recognized as a foremost expert in the marketing and sale of unique assets such as:
· Private Islands
· Ranches
· Agricultural Lands and Agri-Businesses
· Rural Land
· Development Properties
· Resorts, Lodges and Hospitality Assets
· Golf Courses
· Marinas
· Waterfront Estates
· Forestry and Resource Lands
· Foreclosure Properties
Accomplishments
Mark has been involved in the sale of numerous unique properties in British Columbia and internationally. Some of Mark's more prominent and recent sales include:
- The Douglas Lake Ranch, Nicola Valley British Columbia
- Mago Island, Fiji
- Seebe Lands, Southern Alberta
- Pope and Talbot Portfolio (Forestry and Recreational Lands) West Kootenays, British Columbia
- Western Forest Products forestry portfolio, Vancouver Island British Columbia
- Over 25 private islands in British Columbia
- Mago Island, Fiji Islands
- Moresby Island, British Columbia
- Numerous Court Ordered Sales
- Mount Baldy Ski Resort
- Shames Mountain Ski Resort
- Silva Bay Marina
- Port Sidney Marina
- Bowen Island Marina
- Saturna Island Estate Winery
- Decourcy Island Historic Farm
- Camp Columbia
- Colebrook United Church
- Several former summer camps
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Geography), University of British Columbia
Master's of Environmental Studies (Urban Planning and Development), York University
Memberships & Involvements
Board Member - Brightside Community Housing Foundation
Urban Development Institute (UDI)