Founded by Leo Wells, Wells Real Estate Funds was a significant player in the U.S. real estate investment sector, primarily known for sponsoring public, non-traded REITs. The firm acquired and managed office and industrial properties across the United States. In a major strategic shift, its flagship fund, Wells REIT II, was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2013 and rebranded as Columbia Property Trust (NYSE: CXP). The affiliated advisory and broker-dealer businesses were also sold off over time. Columbia Property Trust operated as an independent entity until it was acquired by PIMCO in 2021, marking the final stage of the original Wells enterprise.

Founded in

United States