Toronto-based Guardian Capital Group Ltd. Tuesday announced its continued development of the firm’s asset management capabilities with its entry into the direct real estate asset class with the appointment of Brent Chapman and Stephen Tiller as managing directors of Guardian Capital Real Estate GP Inc.

Chapman and Tiller each have over 25 years of experience in the real estate investment management industry, Chapman most recently as president and CEO of GPM Investment Management and Tiller as president, BMO Nesbitt Burns Real Estate Inc. and group head of BMO Capital Markets real estate group.

George Mavroudis, president and CEO of Guardian Capital Group Ltd. (TSX:GCG) said, “We are delighted and fortunate to have the opportunity to add two such highly experienced and respected individuals to our management team and to offer the direct real estate asset class to address the growing demand of institutional investors.”

The company’s initial focus will be on offering a diversified portfolio of direct Canadian real estate property which will include exposure to industrial, commercial, retail and multi-residential properties that will provide institutional investors a well-diversified steady income investment.