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ph: 604-688-2398 fx: 604-688-1963
CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
 Robert ThamOwner, Corbel Commercial Inc.Age: 32 Robert Tham hasn’t forgotten where he came from. In fact, he’s made a career out of giving back to it. The 32-year-old owner of Corbel Commercial Inc. grew up in Vancouver and turned his lifelong love of heritage buildings into a commercial real estate firm. “I love those buildings because my parents were in the demolition business,” he said. “I love history. I got that from my mother; she’s a big antiques collector.” Tham’s firm is slowly transforming parts of neighbourhoods such as Yaletown and the Downtown Eastside. “For many years, parts of Yaletown and Gastown – a lot of people didn’t want to go there.” By encouraging investment in the local heritage buildings, Tham is able to attract reputable tenants who end up improving the surrounding area. “When you have people living in an area that’s a little rough, they don’t tolerate stuff going on in their neighbourhood,” he said. Corbel’s success came from developing a niche real estate market in Vancouver, Tham explained, and he’s proud of how his company stays true to its roots and hasn’t gotten too big. “The purpose of my company when I started it wasn’t to grow and get big. I could’ve made a lot more money if I believed in that, but I wanted to keep it small.” • Birthplace: Vancouver Where you live now: East Vancouver Highest level of education: BCIT, diploma in marketing management – commercial real estate option Car or chosen mode of transport: 2011 BMW M3 Hard-Top Convertible Currently reading: Practicing the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Last CD bought or music downloaded: P. Diddy, I Need a Girl Favorite local restaurant: Kirin Seafood restaurant Profession you would most like to try: Teacher Mentor: My old boss Toughest business or professional decision: Starting my own firm and doing it my way Advice you would give the younger you: Sometimes you gotta just do it. If you think too much, you may think yourself out of it What’s left to do? Buy a ton of commercial properties and travel the world with my wife This article from Business in Vancouver December 28, 2010 to January 3, 2011; issue 1105 Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week. |
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