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The History of Whitney & Company

WHITNEY & Company has a rich history in the commercial real estate industry, dating back to 1932 when George Whitney established a commercial real estate brokerage in Kitchener. With deep roots in the area, the company has played a significant role in guiding local businesses through numerous decades of growth and change. As a wholly owned private company, WHITNEY & Company is led by John Whitney, who serves as the Broker of Record and is a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). 
 
Specializing in Commercial Leasing and Sales, WHITNEY & Company focuses on various sectors including Industrial, Office, Land, Investment, Retail and Residential. Our team comprises agents who are active in all aspects of the real estate industry within the Region of Waterloo.
 
The success of WHITNEY & Company can be attributed to our extensive knowledge of the local real estate market and our well-established relationships within the business community. These factors have solidified our position as one of the primary leaders in commercial real estate within the Region of Waterloo.
 

Company History Timeline

The Whitney family legacy goes back to George Whitney Limited in the early 1900s and upholds over a century of real estate transactions in Waterloo Region. View our history timeline to see how WHITNEY & Company started, where we have been and where we are going. 

  • 1911
    Charles Isaac Fenwich Whitney moves to Toronto from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and establishes his own real estate firm downtown.
  • 1930
    He then moves to KItchener and his son George Whitney enters the real estate business. George was the salesman on duty at an office located on King Street between College and Water Streets in Kitchener.
  • 1932-1938
    George Whitney chooses to go into real estate on his own and becomes a broker. He obtains his license as a general insurance agent. He opens a real estate and insurance brokerage in Kitchener where he sells residential, commercial and industrial properties. George became President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board, and was the first Canadian member to serve on the Governing Council of the U.S. institute known as the Society of Industrial Realtors (SIOR).
  • 1946
    After being discharged from the navy, Charles Richard Whitney embarks on his real estate career at his father’s firm George Whitney Limited. He becomes a Broker and obtains his American & Canadian Appraisal Certification, his insurance license, and his status as a Registered Property Manager. Richard was President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board and the Ontario Real Estate Board. He was also President of the Society of Industrial Realtors (SIOR) for Canada.
  • 1950
    George Whitney bridges the North American Real Estate Market when he masterminds the construction of the Parliament Building in St. John’s, Newfoundland, now known as the Confederation Building - a $13 million contract. The construction of the building was made possible through an innovative lease/buy back concept. George continues to organize real estate at local, provincial and national levels.
  • 1959
    The Parliament Buildings in Newfoundland are formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II upon completion. Richard Whitney and his wife Lois are presented to their Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.
  • 1964
    Richard Whitney is appointed to the Kitchener Planning Board where he serves 10 years, culminating as Chairman. The WHITNEY office moves to Frederick St. in Kitchener.
  • 1975
    John Whitney joins his father Richard’s firm and becomes a Broker. John renames the firm WHITNEY & Company Realty Limited. John becomes a Director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors and obtains his SIOR accreditation.
  • 1982
    Colleen Whitney obtains her real estate license and joins her husband John Whitney’s firm, WHITNEY & Company, in the residential market.
  • 2010
    Ginger Whitney graduates from Wilfrid Laurier University, obtains her real estate license and joins her father’s firm as a 5th generation WHITNEY & Company Realtor.
  • 2011
    WHITNEY & Company celebrates 100 years in the real estate industry.
  • 2012
    The Whitney office moves to its current location at 103 Bauer Pl. in Waterloo.
  • 2022
    John Whitney celebrates 45 years with WRAR (Waterloo Region Association of Realtors.)
  • 2022
    Colleen Whitney celebrates 40 years selling residential real estate at WHITNEY & Company.
  • 2023
    After ten years with the company, Michael Lambert becomes President of WHITNEY & Company.
  • 2023
    After seven years with the company, Alisha Morel becomes Chief Operating Officer for WHITNEY & Company.