Brookfield Properties traces its corporate lineage through the historical expansion of Brookfield Corporation, whose roots extend back to 1899 with the founding of the São Paulo Tramway, Light and Power Company by Canadian and international railway and electrical pioneers. Over subsequent decades, the real estate platform expanded aggressively through strategic acquisitions—such as absorbing marquee commercial properties from distressed developers like Olympia & York and integrating major global real estate operators like Multiplex—to build its modern portfolio.