As Florida continues to attract new businesses, residents, and investment capital, commercial real estate firms are racing to establish a stronger presence across the state. One company making a significant move is NAI Burns Scalo, which has acquired Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida (CPSWFL) in Fort Myers, further strengthening its position along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
A Major Move in Florida Commercial Real Estate
The acquisition marks another milestone in NAI Burns Scalo’s ambitious Florida growth strategy, building on momentum that began with the opening of its Tampa office in March 2025. The deal brings together one of Southwest Florida’s most established commercial real estate firms with a company that has steadily expanded its integrated platform of brokerage, development, construction, property management, and investment services.
Leading the transition is NAI Burns Scalo President Brian Walker, who will oversee the move from the Cushman & Wakefield Alliance to the NAI Burns Scalo brand. While the company enters a new chapter, longtime Southwest Florida real estate leader Gary Tasman will remain actively involved, focusing on client relationships and business development throughout the region.
Why Southwest Florida Matters
For Tampa and the broader Gulf Coast market, the move reflects a growing trend of commercial real estate firms investing heavily in regional connectivity rather than operating in isolated markets. By linking Tampa and Fort Myers through a unified platform, NAI Burns Scalo is positioning itself to serve clients across multiple Florida markets while expanding access to capital and development opportunities.
“Florida represents a key market in our strategic national growth, and this expansion reflects the strength of our fully integrated platform,” said Brian Walker, President of NAI Burns Scalo. “By combining a strong local presence with our experience as investors and developers, we are well positioned to pursue new opportunities through both ground-up development and the acquisition of existing assets, while bringing capital and a long-term ownership perspective to the market.”
Brian Walker, President of NAI Burns Scalo (Left) Jim Scalo, CEO of NAI Burns Scalo (Right)
The acquisition also reinforces the importance of Tampa in the company’s statewide strategy. Since opening its Tampa office, NAI Burns Scalo has experienced rapid growth, creating a foundation for expansion throughout Florida. The company strengthened that effort in 2025 by bringing veteran real estate executive Tim Rivers on board to lead Florida operations.
Rivers will oversee day-to-day operations as the company expands its reach and service offerings across the state.
“NAI Burns Scalo provides an enhanced platform characterized by greater integration, diversification, and connectivity, along with a broader suite of services not previously available in the Southwest Florida market,” said Tim Rivers, Executive Managing Director–Florida at NAI Burns Scalo.
Unlike many commercial real estate firms that focus solely on brokerage services, NAI Burns Scalo brings an ownership perspective to the marketplace. The company owns and operates several million square feet of commercial real estate across multiple states and applies that experience to advising clients, developing projects, and investing in local markets.
That ownership mindset is a key component of the firm’s Florida strategy. By investing directly in communities and maintaining a long-term view of asset performance, the company aims to support sustainable economic growth while creating opportunities for businesses throughout the region.
Tim Rivers, Executive Managing Director-Florida at NAI Burns Scalo (Right) Gary Tasman, the founder of CPSWFL (Left)
For Southwest Florida, the partnership offers access to expanded development, capital markets, and investment capabilities while maintaining the local expertise that has made CPSWFL a market leader.
Local Expertise Meets National Reach
“This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for our company, our clients, and the Southwest Florida market,” said Gary Tasman. “By aligning with NAI Burns Scalo and the broader NAI platform, we are combining deep local market expertise with expanded capital, development, and investment capabilities that enhance how we serve our clients.”
Tasman added, “Just as important, there is a strong alignment in culture and values, with a shared commitment to relationships, long-term thinking, and the communities in which we operate. With access to a vertically integrated platform and national reach, we are well positioned to continue growing thoughtfully and delivering exceptional outcomes across Southwest Florida.”
Company leadership says the expansion is about more than geographic growth. It is also about creating a platform built on long-term value creation and investment expertise.
Investing in Florida’s Long-Term Growth
“This expansion reflects the strength of our team and the experience we bring as principals who have invested in our own capital,” said Jim Scalo, CEO of NAI Burns Scalo. “That perspective shapes how we advise clients and differentiate our platform. We focus on educating our professionals on the ‘why’ behind investment real estate, not just the transaction, with a commitment to creating and preserving equity value every day.”
As commercial real estate markets continue to evolve across Florida, NAI Burns Scalo’s latest acquisition signals confidence in the state’s long-term economic outlook. With operations now extending from Tampa through Southwest Florida, the company is positioning itself to play a larger role in shaping the region’s commercial growth, investment activity, and business development opportunities for years to come.
