Brookfield Asset Management

Brookfield Asset Management

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. is a Canadian real estate company that manages a global portfolio of assets valued at over $150 billion, and invested on behalf of clients. The firm's assets are concentrated in real estate, renewable power generation, infrastructure and private equity.

The Brookfield name was not widely known outside of investing circles until more recently when it came into the news mainstream as owners of Zuccotti Park, the home to the Occupy Wall Street movement.

The company was originally founded in the 1890s as a builder and operator of electricity and transport infrastructure in Brazil; the company's earlier name of "Brascan" reflected this history ("Brasil" + "Canada"). The company provided electricity and tram services in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and was known as "The Light," short for Brazilian Traction, Light and Power Co. Ltd. Over the past century, the company expanded steadily, and is now an owner and operator of $150 billion of real assets, with 23,000 operatign employees in over 100 offices. Brookfield's public subsidiaries include Brookfield Office Properties, based in New York, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable Power, Brookfield Canada Office Properties, Brookfield Residential Properties and Brookfield Real Estate Services.