Toronto-based commercial real estate services firm Avison Young opened an office in Seoul, its first location in Asia.

Operations in the South Korean capital will begin Nov. 1 at 9F Samhwa Tower in the city's Jung district.

A total of 63 members of Seoul-based Mate Plus Advisors Co. Ltd. have joined Avison, according to a release. Byoung Gon Choi, previously CEO of Mate Plus Co. Ltd. and affiliates Mate Plus Advisors and Genstar, will serve as managing director and principal of the company's operations in Seoul.

With its new location, the company aims to capitalize further on the C$250 million investment made in July by Canadian institutional fund manager Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, or CDPQ.

Avison made its first investment under its partnership with CDPQ with the acquisition of U.K.-based Wilkinson Williams LLP and opening of its fifth location in the U.K. in Mayfair, London, on Aug. 1.

The company now has 85 offices across 76 markets, with over 2,700 real estate professionals in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Europe and Asia.