About Us
Core Values
Your experience working with Taurus will be distinctly unique. Our success will be measured by our acceptance as a trusted part of your team and the mutual alignment of objectives and goals.
Our three pillars
Delivering What We Promise
We will be absolutely honest with you and your team. We will work to achieve a shared vision and develop realistic goals. We will make commitments based on reasonable, rational assumptions, and we will deliver on those commitments.
Exchanging value for value
The fair exchange of value for value is essential to our objective of building long-term relationships with our clients. A sustainable relationship requires that both parties benefit. We expect to be fairly compensated by our clients in exchange for providing professional, objective advice and services.
Taking a long-term approach
A long-term approach in the retail real estate industry requires making decisions that promote the sustainability of retail tenants and the properties they occupy. We are focused on providing our clients with leasing advice that will produce a durable asset for the community.
CULTURAL VALUES
Capabilities & expertise
Our foundational cultural values:
Integrity
Integrity is what defines Taurus. Every interaction we have must be governed by integrity. Integrity trumps everything else, every time.
Excellence
Teamwork
The Taurus Advantage
Owner’s perspective
Decisions and recommendations are for the long-term benefit of clients and their properties. Our tenant choices and deal structures are consistent with the choices we would make if we owned the property. This long-term approach has proven to build strong relationships with our clients.
Objective advisor
We are a single-purpose firm that provides accurate, unbiased advice to owners and developers of retail property. We are not influenced by the conflicting agendas or requirements of any other party. Our consistently honest and objective advice has proven to build a successful clientele who consider us a trusted advisor.
Understands retail
We have invested a considerable amount of time in learning the underlying economics of a variety of retail businesses. In turn, we are equipped to provide valuable analysis to our clients, helping to outline the feasibility and chances of success for a retailer in any given project. Understanding the factors influencing retailer profitability allows us to secure appropriate tenants and optimize deal structures on behalf of our clients.
Knows Retail Merchandising
We have worked on a broad range of projects in varying capacities; this includes leasing enclosed shopping centres, mixed-use projects and open-format centres. Through this experience, we have learned the positive impacts of strong merchandising – and the consequences of poor tenancies.
Provides high standard of service
We serve our clients in three key areas: leasing, analysis and communication. Our leasing service ensures that the most qualified tenants are secured under optimal deal structures. We provide analysis as required to assist our clients’ decision making, including rent calculations, comparisons between deals and pro forma variance. Finally, we are committed to a high standard of communication among all team members.
Provides excellent value proposition
We offer a knowledgeable and experienced leasing team for a cost that is consistent with the Canadian consulting and brokerage community; this is accomplished through efficient business practices. We view our clients as our most important assets and focus our resources on activities that are consistent with our values.
Focused real estate firm
Clients who work with Taurus deal directly with experienced retail merchandising and leasing consultants on a daily basis.
Our Team
Bernie Bayer
senior partner
Bernie Bayer
Since co-founding Taurus Property Group in 2002, Bernie has been committed to providing impartial advice to owners and developers of retail real estate. With an unabashed passion for urban retail and a desire for quality, Bernie has worked with many of Canada's largest and most sophisticated property owners.
Bernie started his real estate career at CBRE where he gained experience in the merchandising, planning and leasing of retail property to institutional investors. In 1999, Bernie and a colleague formed a small brokerage firm specializing in retail. In 2002, Bernie partnered with Paul McCloy to form Taurus Property Group to represent owners and developers of retail and mixed-use properties. Over the course of his career, Bernie has earned the respect of the retail tenant community and their representatives.
As a native Calgarian, Bernie has witnessed the tremendous growth and maturing of our city. He and his wife Doreen, with their two grown sons Connor and Ryan, spend time together skiing, cycling, camping and travelling.
Go-to spot for a quick bite:
Jimmy’s A&A Mediterranean Deli
My favourite area in the city:
North Glenmore Park
Paul McCloy
Senior Partner
Paul McCloy
Paul co-founded Taurus Property Group with Bernie Bayer in 2002 with a vision of providing superior service and expertise to owners and developers of retail real estate. Paul takes great pride in the company that Taurus has grown into out of this vision; with an external reputation for results and an internal culture of excellence.
Paul brings over 25 years of real estate experience and a strong entrepreneurial spirit to the company. Paul entered the commercial real estate industry by joining Colliers’ suburban office leasing team. Paul later held the position of Director of Retail Leasing at O&Y Enterprise, where he was responsible for leasing a 1 million square foot retail portfolio for a variety of clients. In 2002, Paul partnered with Bernie Bayer to form Taurus Property Group to represent owners and developers of retail and mixed-use properties. Paul has an abundance of experience in market analysis, merchandising and curating a retail tenant mix, making him an exceptionally valuable member of the team.
Paul is a proud, fifth generation Calgarian. He is the father of two boys, Cameron and Liam. In his leisure time, you will find Paul skiing, playing badminton, reading or nurturing his inner "foodie" at a Calgary restaurant.
Favourite sit-down restaurant:
Major Tom
A quote I live by:
“Truth – more precisely an accurate understanding of reality – is the essential foundation of good outcomes.” – Ray Dalio
Bonnie Cooke
Vice President, Leasing
Bonnie Cooke
Bonnie has over 30 years of experience in the retail leasing and commercial real estate industry. Her career prior to joining Taurus involved providing leasing assistance at The Cadillac Fairview Corporation, expanding the retail portfolio for The Forzani Group, and managing the commercial and retail development for the Calgary Airport Authority. At Taurus Property Group, Bonnie utilizes her in-depth knowledge of the Canadian retail marketplace to negotiate new deals and renewals with prospective and established retail tenants.
Bonnie grew up in Calgary and enjoys spending her spare time on the golf course, exploring city pathways with her dog Sadie and vacationing in tropical travel destinations.
Favourite sit-down restaurant:
Bridgette Bar
I can’t miss a year without attending:
Country Thunder
Heather Wietzel
Leasing Associate, Origination
Heather Wietzel
Heather has a background in law enforcement with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Her initial experience with Okotoks Municipal Enforcement, where she evolved into a Community Peace Officer, reflects her commitment to community engagement and the practical application of her skills in areas such as traffic, land use, and bylaws.
Now a valuable member of Taurus Property Group, Heather has transitioned into a role that emphasizes her communicative abilities and enthusiastic spirit. As a leasing originator, Heather plays a crucial role in identifying and securing qualified tenants for vacant spaces within the retail leasing portfolio.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Heather's active lifestyle is evident by her interests in snowboarding and and volleyball. She shares her love for adventure with her boyfriend and dogs.
Go-to local business:
Wild Rose Brewery
My favourite area in the city:
Edworthy Park
Nitika Bahl
Marketing Manager
Nitika Bahl
Nitika worked in the condominium real estate market for three years with Grosvenor, helping develop marketing materials, author editorial pieces and coordinate tenant closings for this developer’s downtown, high-rise properties. At Taurus, Nitika applies her acquired marketing skills and real estate knowledge to create property brochures, coordinate promotional initiatives and work in conjunction with the leasing team to attract best-in-class tenants.
Born and raised in Calgary, Nitika loves trying new restaurant hot spots with friends, cooking for her family, and travelling around the world.
Go-to spot for a quick bite:
Cluck N’ Cleaver
Can’t miss a year without attending:
Taste of Calgary
Nancy Guillet
Office Manager
Nancy Guillet
Nancy first joined Taurus in 2005 as an Office Manager, playing a key role in the company’s growth while honing her management skills. In 2008, she left to pursue a business venture with her husband, Darin. Together, they successfully established a local restaurant and pub. By 2011, Nancy was eager for new opportunities and returned to Taurus, resuming her role as Office Manager. With extensive experience in accounting and management, she brings valuable expertise gained from both corporate and entrepreneurial settings.
On sunny days, you’ll likely find Nancy outside, either tending to her flowers or relaxing on the deck with her husband. She also has a passion for local craft breweries, especially IPAs.
Favourite sit-down restaurant:
Mercato
I love to shop at:
Recordland in Inglewood
Krystal Grywacheski
Director, Leasing Administration
Krystal Grywacheski
Prior to joining Taurus, Krystal acquired several years of real estate experience working for Hopewell Development Corporation. At Hopewell, Krystal assisted the leasing team with several large retail developments across Canada as well as managed the company’s retail marketing. In addition to Krystal’s real estate experience, she brought extensive legal experience from working in numerous reputable law firms in Calgary. Krystal joined the Taurus team in 2009 and is the Director of Leasing Administration. Krystal is responsible for all aspects of drafting, reviewing and conveyancing throughout negotiations with prospective tenants.
Krystal loves gardening in her backyard, spending quality time with her husband and two daughters and sipping on wine with friends.
I love to shop at:
Kala & Lime in Aspen Landing
Can’t miss a year without visiting:
The BMO Centre during Stampede
Camila Nascimento
Assistant, leasing administration
Camila Nascimento
Camila journeyed from Brazil to Canada in 2021 - a dream she harbored since her teenage years. In Brazil, Camila earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and worked in the tax and accounting department. Upon settling in Canada, Camila’s career transitioned into the bank and education sectors while she simultaneously gained an Administrative Professional Certificate.
Driven by a desire to broaden her horizons, Camila made another career transition, this time venturing into the real estate industry. Leveraging her administrative skills, she joined Taurus, where her responsibilities include preparing first-draft offers and agreements, coordinating external communication with brokers and tenants, and managing internal databases.
Camila loves studying and learning new languages, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, attending church and spending quality time with her husband and friends.
Favourite sit-down restaurant:
Kama
I love to shop at:
Home Sense