About Us

An effective strategy for accumulating wealth.

The Strongman Group owns and manages over $200 million in assets consisting primarily of commercial retail shopping centres and free standing buildings throughout Western Canada and Ontario. We continue to grow these assets for the company and its partners by creating successful investments and joint ventures with trusted business associates and discerning investors. As we continue to diversify and expand our real estate holdings, Strongman Group also specializes in creating new opportunities and customized strategies for qualified investors seeking to co-invest.

Our Investment
Philosophy

The Strongman Group focuses on retail commercial real estate as its primary investment vehicle. We believe that retention of these assets, as opposed to turnover, is the most effective and reliable means of accumulating wealth. We depend on the capital appreciation of these commercial and industrial properties over the long term, on our efficient management of these properties and on the income they produce.

Our Story

 

A Canadian success story

In 1948, the Strongman brothers made a decision to expand their father’s established decorating business and paint store into Tonecraft Paint and Varnish. With the end of the war and a booming Canadian economy, they quickly established a thriving paint manufacturing business.

By 1970, Tonecraft Paint and Varnish had evolved into the highly successful Color Your World franchise with stores expanding into every major city in Canada. As part of their business plan, the brothers had also begun to purchase much of the real estate where their new stores were located.

When Color Your World was finally sold in 1984, the family retained their real estate holdings and began to concentrate on building these assets. A large part of their business now had to do with managing leases and maintaining properties for their tenants and franchisees. Over the next 25 years, Paul and Gerry Strongman built their real estate portfolio into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. In fact, the original Color Your World holdings now only constitute a small portion of the company’s accumulated assets.

With Paul living in Toronto, and Gerry living in British Columbia, the family finally decided it was advisable to separate their interests. In 2009, Gerry Strongman and his son, Marc, formed The Strongman Group based in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Today, Marc serves The Strongman Group as CEO, continuing to grow the company while also expanding opportunities for diversified real estate investment and strategic investment partnerships.