No More Surprises: Brookfield Properties’ Security Evolution with LVT

Brookfield Properties, a leading real estate company, specializes in managing and operating commercial properties across North America. Specifically, its logistics division is responsible for keeping buildings and sites secure. Over the last five years, Brookfield saw tremendous growth, rapidly acquiring new properties. But with that growth came new challenges: vacant sites became targets for theft, vandalism, and trespassing. Committed to maintaining the highest safety standards, Global Head of Health and Safety, Nicole Ivers, began looking for a smarter, more flexible solution—one that didn’t require guards around the clock.

The search for a better solution began when the New Jersey office discovered LiveView Technologies (LVT) and implemented their first unit. Liking the initial results, Ivers recognized the potential of LVT’s solutions and spearheaded its adoption as a portfolio-wide tool to enhance security across Brookfield Properties' logistics division.

The Challenges of Unoccupied Properties

As Brookfield Properties rapidly expanded its portfolio, it began to encounter an increasingly familiar pattern: vacant buildings under renovation or awaiting tenants became magnets for trouble. With no one regularly on site, these properties were vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and unauthorized entry. Copper wiring, HVAC units, and other valuable materials were frequently stolen before staff even realized the buildings had been compromised.

But the damage extended far beyond missing equipment. In many cases, squatters would move in, trashing interiors and creating unsafe environments for anyone entering the building afterward. Ivers reported, “a lot of the materials and equipment are brand new—because we've just renovated or built a building—so they're coming in, they’re taking brand new materials or messing with brand new construction, and then we have to come in and redo that.” These incidents weren’t isolated—they became recurring problems with serious financial consequences. Insurance deductibles alone, often $100,000 or more, meant that every event came with steep out-of-pocket costs. And with each repair, timelines were pushed back, causing a strain on resources and teams.

A Closer Look: How One Squatter Incident Uncovered Deeper Challenges

In one specific incident, Brookfield discovered squatters were living in a recently vacant property. When the damage was assessed, the costs were overwhelming. Electrical lines had been stripped, expensive copper wiring stolen, HVAC systems damaged, and other areas gutted. To repair and replace this property, the costs totaled almost $200,000. That wasn’t the only problem. Those replacements and repairs take time. The site was down for 14 months while Brookfield made sure this property was up to their quality standards, resulting in a loss of $750,000 of rental income. This combined loss was almost a million dollars.

While the financial losses were significant, it wasn’t the only problem. Ivers recognized how Brookfield’s staff, contractors, and brokers were also increasingly at risk. Walking into a recently broken-into building could mean encountering hazardous conditions or people who shouldn’t be there at all. Ivers was concerned that traditional guards would be expensive and ineffective. She hoped to find a solution to protect both properties and people. "I don't want anybody getting hurt trying to defend a vacant building and some copper…That's not worth somebody's life or even an injury."

Ivers searched for a smarter solution that could reduce risk, protect people, and uphold Brookfield's values.

Transforming Security: How LVT Redefined Protection for Brookfield Properties

Brookfield made a pivotal move and brought in LiveView Technologies (LVT) for use across the full logistics portfolio. With mobile surveillance units capable of real-time video, automatic alerts, and remote response, Brookfield suddenly had eyes on every property, every hour of the day, without putting a single person at risk.

For Brookfield Properties, choosing LVT wasn’t just about installing a security system—it was about choosing safety, accountability, and efficiency. “One of my biggest pet peeves is doing anything more than once,” Ivers said. “If we plan things out right the first time—we do it once, we do it right, we do it safely.” With LVT’s proactive surveillance and real-time intervention, Brookfield found a partner that shared their commitment to doing things right the first time. By deterring crime and protecting assets from the start, LVT became an essential tool for deterring crime before it happened and increasing safety. Brookfield raised the bar for what security could look like: efficient, effective, and always one step ahead.

Financial Impact and Real Results

The impact of deploying LVT’s surveillance units was immediate and far-reaching. Sites that had previously been frequent targets for theft and vandalism saw a dramatic drop in incidents. The constant visibility provided by LVT didn’t just help catch criminals—it prevented them from targeting Brookfield properties in the first place. Real-time alerts, 24/7 monitoring, and visible deterrence are stopping crimes before they start.

It is now standard practice with Brookfield to install LVT at all vacant properties because they know it works. They have increased their security strategy to include 57 LVT units across 42 locations. Since October 2023, they have had 101,241 alerts generated and prevented 1,013 suspicious incidents. If the damages of these incidents can often total over $100,000, then these results have saved Brookfield millions of dollars over the last few years.

Building Confidence and Protecting People

More than just financial impact, this level of security has given Ivers peace of mind. She knows that she is never sending Brookfield employees into an unsafe situation. “This gives me a lot more confidence that the area is being monitored. When someone goes out, they’re not just walking into the unknown.” With LVT, you won’t ever be surprised again.

The transformation was so significant that what began as a reactive solution quickly became standard protocol. “Very, very quickly we decided to just start putting [LVT Units] out at vacant assets as standard practice,” Nicole said. “It started with one. Now it’s just what we do.”

A True Security Partner

Ivers has seen how LVT stands with its customers long after a unit is deployed. When LVT has spotted potential gaps in Brookfield's plan, LVT responds quickly and collaboratively to work together to create a secure solution. “The collaboration is nice and I always feel like LVT is providing value,” said Nicole Ivers. She added, “If we send an email, somebody responds immediately... there’s just constant support.” That responsiveness and willingness to adjust make LVT a trusted extension of the Brookfield team—always ready, always reliable.

Security That Supports Sustainability

LVT’s mobile surveillance units align with Brookfield’s commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency. LVT Units are solar-powered and designed for minimal environmental impact. This clean, self-sufficient approach allows Brookfield to protect its assets without compromising its values, delivering cutting-edge security that supports long-term environmental responsibility.

Securing the Future with Confidence

By leveraging the highest quality security technology and expert collaboration, Brookfield not only secures their properties but also protects their people. Thanks to Nicole Ivers’ forward-thinking leadership and LVT’s cutting-edge solutions, Brookfield set a new standard for safety, efficiency, and peace of mind in the commercial real estate industry, turning what was once a vulnerability into a strategic strength.

Looking ahead, LVT has become an essential cornerstone of Brookfield’s security strategy. With proven results and seamless integration into their operations, LVT’s mobile surveillance units will continue to play a critical role in protecting properties, giving Brookfield the confidence to grow securely and sustainably.

Today, LVT isn’t just protecting Brookfield’s properties—it’s protecting their people, preserving their standards, and preventing the kind of costly disruptions that used to be inevitable. As Ivers put it, “It’s worth its weight in gold.”