July 21, 2026
In The Drivers Seat
In the Driver's Seat: Epic's Integrated Teams, Unlocking Asset Value
In commercial real estate, asset management and property management are commonly treated as separate functions, delivered by different teams and often by entirely different firms. The question ownership groups rarely think to ask is what gets lost in the space between them. When those two functions are not closely aligned, the impact often appears through inefficiencies, delayed decisions, and missed opportunities that compound quietly over time. At Epic Investment Services, that gap does not exist. The two groups operate as a highly collaborative team, and this approach creates a meaningful distinction between simply managing a building and actively creating long-term value.
Nikki Wong, Asset Manager at Epic, describes the two teams as wearing different but complementary hats. "Property managers are on the front lines of the asset every day, while asset managers focus on the broader investment strategy and long-term value creation. When those teams work closely together, information flows more efficiently, decisions are made faster, and everyone is working toward the same objectives. In Real Estate, time is of the essence." Nabil Naccache, Senior Property Manager for Quebec at Epic, puts a finer point on it. "By coming together and exchanging information, one group may not initially consider what the other is seeing. We come at it from a micro level, they come at it from a macro level, but our combined effort often leads us to discover new avenues."
The Value of Two Perspectives
Asset managers carry the broader strategic view, including ownership objectives, investment horizons, and financial performance targets. Property managers carry the operational reality of the building, including tenant experiences, aging systems, and what is and is not functioning on any given day. The value comes from connecting these perspectives. Information flows in both directions, and the speed of that flow is what sets Epic's model apart from a more fragmented approach.
"It all seems to come back to being quick in communicating when there's a problem going upwards and solutions when they need to be given to us," Nabil says. "That's our biggest strength."
On the ownership side, Nikki describes a collaborative model built around consistent reporting, with the asset management team actively engaged between formal reporting cycles. “We are in constant communication,” she says. “Working together to plan, problem-solve, and execute on our clients' objectives. Both the asset management and property management teams recognize that delivering strong results depends on seamless collaboration.”
The clearest measure of an integrated team tends to come not from routine moments but from the ones nobody planned for. When one of Epic's managed industrial properties experienced a major flood, with approximately three feet of water, the potential impact to the asset was significant and required immediate action.
The property management team mobilized quickly to locate engineers and develop a restoration and prevention strategy. The asset management team managed the insurance claim, protecting the owner's financial interest and supporting the broader recovery strategy. Together, the teams also addressed a critical tenant retention challenge.
The solution that emerged, including perimeter improvements, anti-backflow devices, and standby pumps, was the product of both teams working through the problem together. When another significant rainfall event occurred the following year, the building remained protected.
"There's a lot of logistics that go into that”, Nikki says. “Getting a consultant, going through the design, coordinating the execution. It's a lot of hard work from the property management team."
Nabil is direct about what the outcome demonstrated. "I believe we took a building that was facing a significant loss scenario and turned it around," he says. "If property management were by itself and didn't have asset management working in concert, I'm not sure we would have gotten the same result."
Doing the Right Things Every Day
Beyond crisis response, the collaborative model shapes Epic's approach to the everyday work of increasing asset value. Real estate moves through cycles, and market conditions are not always favourable. In that context, differentiation through service quality has become one of the most dependable strategies available.
Epic manages a sizable portfolio of small-bay industrial assets where maintaining occupancy requires a strong focus on tenant relationships, responsiveness, and operational excellence. In a competitive market where tenants are carefully evaluating costs and seeking greater value, delivering a high standard of service can be a meaningful differentiator in driving tenant satisfaction and retention.
Nikki notes that the fundamentals often make the biggest difference. Consistently doing the right things, responding quickly to tenant needs, maintaining a clean and safe environment, and staying attentive to day-to-day operations has the greatest impact on tenant retention and the long-term success of a property.
Speed as a Competitive Advantage
The practical advantage of having the teams working closely together is the ability to move quickly. In a market where tenant decisions and operational challenges can hinge on response times, the difference between a phone call down the hall and navigating an external communication chain can have a significant impact.
"It's much easier to pick up the phone and discuss with your colleague in an in-house platform so we can move quickly," Nikki says. "In real estate, being able to solve problems in real time and respond quickly makes a real difference."
Naccache frames the ultimate case for the model plainly. "You've examined the problem inside out, upside down, sideways, and you are 100% certain this is the right approach for this client," he says.
"I don't always get that same feeling when I don't have an in-house asset manager working alongside us."
At Epic, that certainty is built through consistent execution, one building at a time.
Nikki Wong
Manager, Asset Management
Nabil Naccache
Senior Property Manager (Quebec)