CREST REALTIES
We work and prosper through the values of performance, experience and thanks to the trust that our customers place in us.
The Drazin family has been at the forefront of real estate in Canada for over a century. After starting out in the construction industry and owning residential properties in Ottawa during the early 20th century, they relocated to Montreal in the 1920’s.
By the 1940’s, their extensive portfolio had expanded to include commercial real estate as well. Today, the Drazin family owns several million square feet of commercial space throughout the greater Montreal area. They own and manage residential, commercial, and industrial properties in Canada and in Eastern United States under the name “Rester”.
EXPERIENCE
PERFORMANCE
TRUST
Aaron Drazin founded CREST Realties after years of asset management of the Drazin family’s real estate.
In 1995, Mr. Drazin established CREST’s presence in the Montreal industrial market with the acquisition of Cité Industrielle LaSalle, comprising 10 buildings totaling approximately 800,000 ft.² on 2.3 million ft.² of land. CREST invested approximately $12 million to rehabilitate the property, transforming the complex into one of Montreal’s premier industrial facilities.
CREST expanded its industrial and office portfolio through the acquisition and redevelopment of numerous properties throughout the greater Montreal area. Among its significant projects was the expansion of a large industrial property in Terrebonne. CREST constructed a 140,000 ft.² addition to the existing edifice with a 32-foot clear height, increasing the property to approximately 365,000 ft.² and creating an institutional-grade industrial facility. CREST purchased, renovated and leased up 630 Sherbrooke West, a downtown property, repositioning it from a Class C, to a Class B+, premiere office property.
CREST later expanded its investment activities into New York City. Following the 2010 recession, the company acquired multifamily properties in undervalued neighbourhoods, primarily in northern Manhattan. Over time, CREST expanded this portfolio to 15 properties, establishing itself as a recognized player in the New York City multifamily market, while also becoming an investor in residential properties in suburban Philadelphia. CREST subsequently realized significant value by selling a portion of its New York portfolio at the height of the market.
In addition to the existing Drazin family Cleveland portfolio, in March, 2022, CREST expanded its industrial investment strategy into Cleveland, Ohio, gradually acquiring nine industrial properties, establishing itself as an active player in the Cleveland industrial market.
In mid-2021, CREST partnered in the acquisition of Agellan, Elad’s U.S. portfolio, comprising of approximately 6.5 million ft.² across nine states. The portfolio consists primarily of industrial properties, with significant office components in Dallas, Texas, and Naperville, Illinois. Since that acquisition, CREST has played an active role in the management and repositioning of the Agellan portfolio, working closely with the Agellan team to enhance and reposition the assets. These efforts ultimately contributed to the successful listing of the portfolio through Almadev Inc., Agellan’s parent company, on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on June 9, 2026.
CREST is continuously looking to further expand its industrial, office and residential portfolios in Montreal, as well as in the other cities in the U.S. where it is active.
Aaron Drazin founded CREST Realties after years of asset management of the Drazin family’s real estate.
In 1995, Mr. Drazin established CREST’s presence in the Montreal industrial market with the acquisition of Cité Industrielle LaSalle, comprising 10 buildings totaling approximately 800,000 ft.² on 2.3 million ft.² of land. CREST invested approximately $12 million to rehabilitate the property, transforming the complex into one of Montreal’s premier industrial facilities.
CREST expanded its industrial and office portfolio through the acquisition and redevelopment of numerous properties throughout the greater Montreal area. Among its significant projects was the expansion of a large industrial property in Terrebonne. CREST constructed a 140,000 ft.² addition to the existing edifice with a 32-foot clear height, increasing the property to approximately 365,000 ft.² and creating an institutional-grade industrial facility. CREST purchased, renovated and leased up 630 Sherbrooke West, a downtown property, repositioning it from a Class C, to a Class B+, premiere office property.
CREST later expanded its investment activities into New York City. Following the 2010 recession, the company acquired multifamily properties in undervalued neighbourhoods, primarily in northern Manhattan. Over time, CREST expanded this portfolio to 15 properties, establishing itself as a recognized player in the New York City multifamily market, while also becoming an investor in residential properties in suburban Philadelphia. CREST subsequently realized significant value by selling a portion of its New York portfolio at the height of the market.
In addition to the existing Drazin family Cleveland portfolio, in March, 2022, CREST expanded its industrial investment strategy into Cleveland, Ohio, gradually acquiring nine industrial properties, establishing itself as an active player in the Cleveland industrial market.
In mid-2021, CREST partnered in the acquisition of Agellan, Elad’s U.S. portfolio, comprising of approximately 6.5 million ft.² across nine states. The portfolio consists primarily of industrial properties, with significant office components in Dallas, Texas, and Naperville, Illinois. Since that acquisition, CREST has played an active role in the management and repositioning of the Agellan portfolio, working closely with the Agellan team to enhance and reposition the assets. These efforts ultimately contributed to the successful listing of the portfolio through Almadev Inc., Agellan’s parent company, on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on June 9, 2026.
CREST is continuously looking to further expand its industrial, office and residential portfolios in Montreal, as well as in the other cities in the U.S. where it is active.