Jim Elcock

Timing is critical in real estate and the first opportunity to make a deal isn’t necessarily the best.

More than a decade ago, Exelon Corp. hired Colliers International to advise it on the future of its 15-acre New Boston Generating Station parcel. With development pushing out to new corners of the Seaport District, it put the parcel on the market early this year. Boston-based Redgate and Hilco Redevelopment Partners paid over $24 million for the property in April.

“We’ve been discussing the site with (Exelon) for over a dozen years, as far as what do you do with the site, the highest and best use and how would it be received in the marketplace,” said James Elcock, who was named president of Colliers Boston in early May. “They thought there might be very little interest and a liability, but it was an asset and it was positioned as such. And the market responded.”

Long-term relationships are nothing new for Elcock. In an industry where it’s not uncommon for executives to move back and forth among local brokerages, Elcock has been with Colliers Boston for 32 years. In his new role, he’ll head the brokerage units throughout Greater Boston. As he moves up the organizational chart, Elcock said he plans to keep a hands-on approach.

“They are telling me I’m going to be able to work with the clients and brokers every day and not have to handle any of the administrative or operational side,” he said.

Elcock’s promotion comes in a time of frenetic activity in the region’s commercial real estate market. Colliers’ Boston office currently has 150 employees, including 40 leasing brokers. It recently hired a new multifamily team, and it’s looking to hire more brokers for its Boston and Cambridge teams and potentially some suburban markets, Elcock said. Four Cambridge brokers left Colliers for JLL in March. It’s also seeking one or two additional mortgage brokers for its capital markets group and potentially a retail sales specialist, Elcock said.

Elcock sees growth opportunities for Colliers’ development and consulting services division in Boston’s blistering building scene. Colliers advised John Hancock Co. last year on permitting and approval of its 26-story, 625,000-square-foot office tower at 380 Stuart St. in Back Bay, which took just eight months.

“Many of the developers are hoping their new product will be well-received. What I’ve seen in my 32 years here is people have always liked new construction,” Elcock said.

It’s also been active in the hotel market, advising developers of the Envoy Hotel in the Seaport and the Godfrey Hotel in Downtown Crossing.

Both in the suburban and downtown markets, new developments will continue to incorporate a range of uses that create an 18-hour environment, connect to public transit and accommodate flexible work schedules, Elcock said. At the same time, office tenants continue to reduce space requirements per employee.

“The whole market is in transition, and with that comes an opportunity,” he said.