ITRA Continues To Expand With New Locations In France, Canada and the United States

Boston, Commercial Real Estate, News, Tenant Representation

Founded in 1980, The Stevens Group is a Boston-based commercial real estate brokerage and advisory firm with more than four decades of experience helping companies make informed real estate decisions. Today, our practice is centered on Corporate Real Estate Advisory & Tenant Representation, providing independent, conflict-free guidance to tenants and occupiers throughout Greater Boston and beyond.

We advise clients on site selection, negotiations for new leases, renewals, relocations, expansions, consolidations, and specialized office, R&D/lab, industrial and flex requirements. As the Boston affiliate of the International Tenant Representative Alliance (ITRA Global), we can also support clients across the U.S. and internationally while maintaining the senior- level, hands-on service of an independent firm.

The Stevens Group has been certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) since 2011 and is proud to celebrate 15 years of certification in 2026.

What inspired you to start your company, and what has shaped your journey woman business owner in CRE?

The Stevens Group was founded by my parents, Mark and Debra Stevens, in 1980, and I joined the firm in 2013. My mother had a remarkable career in commercial real estate and showed me firsthand what was possible for a woman in the industry, while my father was an equally important mentor and supporter. Since Debra’s passing last year, carrying forward what they built has taken on added meaning. I am proud of our history and committed to positioning The Stevens Group for the future while preserving the integrity, reputation, and client focus that define us.

What are you most proud of about the company you’ve built?

I am most proud of the trust we have earned and the long-standing relationships we have built with clients over more than four decades. Our size and independence allow us to stay closely involved, be responsive, and give objective advice. I also value that we have continued to evolve and stay current while remaining true to how we do business.

Celebrating 15 years as a certified women business enterprise is another milestone I am especially proud of.

What are you most excited about for your company and its future?

I am excited to continue expanding the ways we support clients as their real estate needs become more complex. We have the advantage of being nimble, experienced, and highly personal in our approach, while our ITRA Global affiliation gives clients broader reach when they need it. I see the next chapter as thoughtful growth, interesting assignments, and continuing to strengthen our reputation as a trusted advisor to corporate occupiers.

What does being a woman-owned business mean to you, and what perspective would you share with women considering starting a business of their own?

Being a woman-owned business is meaningful to me because it reflects how far opportunities for women in commercial real estate have come. CRE Brokerage is a demanding career, but I believe women can build successful businesses and careers in this industry without having to choose between professional growth and the other priorities in their lives. My advice is to seek out strong mentors and advisors, trust your expertise and create a culture that values high performance and flexibility. The right environment can make a meaningful difference in sustaining a rewarding career over time.

FOUNDED: 1980

HEADQUARTERS: Boston, MA

SPECIALTIES: Corporate Real Estate Advisory & Tenant Representation; Office, R&D/Lab, Industrial & Flex Requirements

MARKETS SERVED: Greater Boston/Massachusetts; and national and international supportand consulting

WOMAN-OWNED SINCE: 2011

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November 2010

BOSTON, MA – ITRA, the International Tenant Representative Alliance, has further expanded its global reach, affiliating with three offices in major market locations: Paris, France; Toronto and Oakville, Canada; and Detroit, Michigan, reports Mark Stevens, SIOR, Principal, ITRA / The Stevens Group, Boston, MA.

Mark Stevens

ITRA / Tatham Property Solutions is one of the few firms in the Paris brokerage market that exclusively represents tenants and buyers of corporate real estate. The founder of the firm, Charles Tatham, has over 25 years in the commercial real estate business, specializing in tenant representation for 23 of those years. Cable and Wireless, Medtronic France, PRTM, and Lumiplan are just a few of the clients Tatham Property Solutions has represented. “We are thrilled to have been chosen as the ITRA Paris location. The Tatham Property Solutions motto has always been that we get you into the right space at the right price faster with zero conflict-of-interest.” states Charles Tatham. “We like to defend our clients against the excesses of the brokerage market, which can exhibit ‘wild west’ attitudes! It is fantastic to be affiliated with an International organization like ITRA, which shares our vision of exclusive tenant representation.”

ITRA / Nidea Realties Corporation Limited is a partner-owned boutique corporate real estate advisory firm with two offices in the Greater Toronto Area. The award-winning partners have highly specific roles on each assignment and this team approach is contrary to the “each-one-for-himself” model that is the norm in the commercial real estate industry. Nidea deploys very senior members to each segment of the commercial real estate process. “Nidea has had our eye on ITRA for quite some time because we felt the organization would be a great fit with our firm” says Jeff Howell, Nidea Broker of Record. “When we recently learned that the ITRA Toronto market was available, we immediately pursued the ITRA Toronto designation! We are excited about this opportunity as we continue to grow our firm throughout Canada.” Some of the clients that Nidea has represented include, ABB, Archway Marketing, Casio, Eddie Bauer, Kids Help Phone, Lego, Ocean Spray, Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals and Signature Vacations.

ITRA / Compass Commercial, LLC is a newly founded company, owned and operated by Lynn Drake, who is a well known figure in the commercial real estate industry. After fifteen years in corporate and real estate management and leasing, Lynn moved into commercial brokerage in 2001. Having recently left a national real estate firm to establish her own company, thus far Lynn has completed over 2,000 real estate transactions. Compass Commercial specializes in negotiating office and industrial leases. During this economy, Lynn has been successful in reducing clients’ rent by a minimum of 30%; sometimes by as much as 50%. “Already having several national accounts,” reports Lynn Drake, “Compass Commercial is absolutely delighted to be a part of an International organization which offers us a greater opportunity in servicing and meeting the needs of our clients.” A few clients of Compass Commercial include: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1-800 Got Junk, The Betty Brigade and Iconma Staffing.

While other organizations are downsizing, ITRA continues to expand. ITRA is the largest commercial real estate organization devoted to representing corporate tenants and buyers. With global coverage in over 89 markets across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa, ITRA consists of seasoned professionals with an average of twenty years experience and is differentiated by its focus on advocacy for the corporate tenant and buyer. Clients benefit by having an experienced professional as their trusted advisor — conflict-free representation with total objectivity.