At Willowdale, we’re as comfortable walking a construction site as we are navigating financial markets. This blend of entrepreneurial vision and operational precision allows us to spot opportunities others miss and turn them into lasting value. Whether raising capital, developing properties, or managing assets, every decision is informed by real-world insight.
Performance is essential, but trust is paramount. Our clients rely on us for tailored strategies that align with their goals and deliver consistent, proven results. With boots on the ground and eyes on the horizon, we unlock new perspectives and create investments built to stand the test of time.
Over the past three decades, we’ve marked significant milestones, evolving from our beginnings in Ontario homebuilding into a diversified real estate organization with a robust portfolio. Our growth has been intentional and strategic, expanding across the U.S. and setting new standards in each field where we operate.
Willowdale has grown into a dynamic portfolio of businesses, united by a shared vision to shape how and where people live. From reimagining homebuilding and rental spaces to designing healthier living environments, developing vibrant communities, and elevating the brokerage experience, Willowdale has consistently seen opportunities where others haven’t. Its forward-thinking approach has redefined skylines, created spaces that bring people together, and expanded its impact across borders.
Empire Communities is founded as a homebuilder. Country Squire Ridge (167 homes) is Empire’s first residential development located in Cambridge, Ontario. Hidden Valley (859 homes) follows as the first master-planned community located in Dundas, Ontario.
Recognizing demand for urban intensification, Empire Place, a three-tower condominium with 440 units is launched. This Richmond Hill based condominium community represents Empire’s first of many high rise projects.
Empire acquires TFN Realty Inc. as its exclusive real estate brokerage company in order to offer an integrated home buying experience. Since 2006, TFN has been involved in some of Empire’s most successful project launches, including Beyond The Sea in Toronto, Ontario.
Empire enters the U.S. market with its first land development project, Hidden Lakes, a 281-acre master-planned community located in Galveston County, Texas.
Eau Du Soleil, one of Toronto’s largest condominium projects, is launched on the Toronto Waterfront. This monumental development helps to shape Toronto’s skyline, adding a distinctive landmark to the city’s architectural landscape.
Empire continues its growth south of the border and launches a U.S. homebuilding division in Houston, Texas. The new homebuilding division expands aggressively into four new communities and two urban infill sites.
Empire develops its largest U.S. master-planned community to date, a 600-acre site in Hockley, Texas with six reputable builders. With over 1,589 acres and over 3,360 lots either developed or under development, Empire continues to strengthen its land development arm, Empire Continental Land (ECL), in Texas.
Celebrating 25 years, Empire reflects on over 15,000 homes built across two countries in more than 100 communities. Empire strengthens its U.S. presence by acquiring Centerra Homes, a respected Austin-based builder with 11 communities in Austin and surrounding areas, plus three in San Antonio.
Having grown into one of North America’s largest private homebuilders, Empire forms a strategic partnership with Atlanta-based builder Edward Andrews Homes. This expands Empire’s presence in the U.S. to include Houston, Austin, and San Antonio in Texas, and now Atlanta, Georgia.
Nearing three decades of land development and homebuilding in some of North America’s fastest-growing markets, Empire announces the creation of a new rental housing division committed to offering single-family build-for-rent and multifamily rental options consistent with Empire’s increasing income stream diversification.
Empire acquires Shea Homes North Carolina, expanding its growing U.S. presence to include Charlotte, one of the fastest growing cities in America. The acquisition builds upon an already strong presence in the North Carolina marketplace, enabling Empire to quickly ascend the ranks as a dominant player in the Charlotte market.
Empire builds on a dedication to enhancing residential construction by prioritizing the health and well-being of homeowners with the full acquisition of ERTH360. This acquisition opens the door to scalable solutions that foster healthier indoor living environments in the area of wellness real estate.
Empire enters the Greenville, South Carolina market, broadening its presence across the Carolinas. This expansion bolsters Empire’s presence in the Southeast, tapping into a growing market with strong potential for strategic growth.
Expansion into Chattanooga, Tennessee, extends Empire’s reach into a new region, reinforcing its Southeast presence. This move complements existing operations in Ontario, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Atlanta, and North and South Carolina, reflecting Empire's commitment to growth in key North American markets.
The ERTH360 Discovery Home debuts as a proof-of-concept project to assess how adjustments in design, materials, and processes in production homebuilding impact health, wellness, and sustainability.
Rooftop Capital launches, offering private real estate financing and land banking solutions designed to streamline funding and provide flexible, efficient financial support for developers and investors.
A new strategic partnership with Colorado Springs-based builder Covington Homes further expands Empire’s U.S. footprint to eight markets, now including Colorado Springs, CO.
Empire Continental Land rebrands as Precedent Land Company, highlighting the company’s commitment to establishing new benchmarks in land development that focus on innovation and strategic growth in land acquisition and planning.
Willowdale Asset Management launches as the parent company of Empire, Rooftop Capital, Precedent Land Company, Empire Rental Living, ERTH360, and others. This launch reflects a strategic consolidation aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and fostering growth across all business units.
United by a commitment to creating impactful communities and experiences, the team at Willowdale brings a wealth of experience across real estate, business enablement and development, finance, sales and marketing, and construction.
Daniel Guizzetti
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Andrew Guizzetti
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Andrew has 30+ years of experience in land development, homebuilding, condominium construction, accounting, and real estate finance, having overseen more than $3B total transaction values.
Rami Jurdi
Chief Financial Officer
Patryk Dawidowski
SVP of Investment Management
Patryk leads all investment strategies, acquisitions, dispositions, market research, and corporate development initiatives across North America.
Sandeep Grover
Chief Technology Officer
Nancy Omran
SVP of Customer Experience
Michael Siltala
Chief Legal Officer
Michael is responsible for overseeing all legal matters pertaining to Willowdale’s Canadian and U.S. businesses, with a focus on corporate finance and other essential corporate matters.
Sean Taggart
Chief Marketing Officer
Kim Van Pelt
Chief People & Culture Officer
Explore Career Opportunities at Willowdale
Established in 1993, Willowdale Asset Management – the former corporate division of Empire Communities – has grown from a single-project homebuilding company into a diversified real estate asset manager with a vast portfolio of projects and companies. With close to $5.0B in assets under management, Willowdale’s experience and operating expertise spans home building, land acquisition and development, rental, development financing solutions, brokerage services, and wellness real estate.
©2024 Willowdale Asset Management Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Established in 1993, Willowdale Asset Management – the former corporate division of Empire Communities – has grown from a single-project homebuilding company into a diversified real estate asset manager with a vast portfolio of projects and companies. With close to $5.0B in assets under management, Willowdale’s experience and operating expertise spans home building, land acquisition and development, rental, development financing solutions, brokerage services, and wellness real estate.
©2024 Willowdale Asset Management Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Daniel Guizzetti has over 30 years in residential, commercial, and industrial real estate, developing over 36,000 single-family homes and 21 condo towers with Empire Communities. He is Director and Chairman of York1 Group Holdings. Daniel holds a bachelor’s in Applied Sciences & Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo.
Andrew has 30+ years of experience in land development, homebuilding, condominium construction, accounting, and real estate finance, having overseen more than $3B total transaction values. He plays an integral role in setting Willowdale’s overall strategies for long-term growth and investment. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Administrative Studies (Hons.) and a Certificate in Management Studies from York University in Toronto and completed the NAIOP-ULI Running a Real Estate Company Program from Harvard University.
Drawing on 18+ years of experience in renewable infrastructure and asset management, Rami leads Willowdale Asset Management’s finance, accounting, and capital raising functions. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce with highest honours in Finance and Accounting from Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business.
Patryk leads all investment strategies, acquisitions, dispositions, market research, and corporate development initiatives across North America. He has a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies from Western University in London, bringing a strategic focus to Empire’s growth and development efforts.
Sandeep leads technology strategy at Willowdale, overseeing infrastructure, IT operations, and tech improvements to drive competitive advantage across all functions. He holds degrees in both Economics and Computer Science from Delhi University, as well as progressive tech accreditations from McMaster University.
Nancy develops Willowdale’s customer-centric experience, vision, and strategy. She promotes alignment across the organization to ensure exceptional customer experiences, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Nancy is an honours graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University.
Michael is responsible for overseeing all legal matters pertaining to Willowdale’s Canadian and U.S. businesses, with a focus on corporate finance and other essential corporate matters. He holds an LLB/MBA from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia bringing a robust legal and business acumen to his role.
With over 30 years of experience across a variety of real estate asset classes, Sean oversees sales and marketing strategies to drive revenue growth across all of Willowdale’s portfolio companies and regions. He earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Duke University, North Carolina, and holds a B.A. in Statistical Science from Western University, Ontario.
With over 25 years in Human Resource leadership, Kim shapes Willowdale’s culture and talent strategy, driving engagement, growth, and alignment with organizational goals. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Western Ontario and a Human Resources Management Certificate from Humber College.
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