Commercial real estate companies and brokerage firms provide services for investors, owners and tenants by combining local market insight, specialized expertise and premier tools and resources. They assist clients with their purchasing, selling and leasing requirements based on their individual needs.
Many larger firms also offer additional services, like property, project and portfolio management, property appraisal and development, and business consulting.
While there are hundreds of commercial real estate companies worldwide, we compiled a list of the largest brokerages in the commercial real estate industry broken down by number of employees, value of global transactions, annual revenue and annual EBITDA.
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Here are 20 of the largest commercial real estate firms, including both public and private companies:
Publicly traded commercial real estate companies
CBRE
CBRE Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 commercial real estate company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s biggest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2018 revenue). The company has more than 90,000 employees and serves real estate investors and occupiers through more than 480 offices worldwide.
CBRE offers a broad range of integrated services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services.
- Employees: 90,000
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $337B
- 2018 Annual revenue:$21.3B (14% increasefrom 2017)
- 2018 annual EBITDA:$1.5B(5% increasefrom 2017)
Website: www.cbre.com
JLL
JLL is a leading commercial real estate professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management headquartered in Chicago. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with nearly 300 corporate offices, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 90,000 as of December 31, 2018.
They deliver integrated commercial real estate services built on insight and foresight, sound market research and relevant knowledge.
- Employees: 88,000
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $252B
- 2018 Annual revenue:$16.3B(13% increase from 2017)
- 2018 annual EBITDA:$92M(24% increasefrom 2017)
Website: www.jll.com
Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield is a global commercial real estate firm delivering exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest commercial property management companies worldwide with approximately 51,000 employees in 400 offices and 70 countries.
In 2018, the firm had revenue of $8.2 billion across core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, valuation and other services.
- Employees: 51,000
- 2016 total value of global transactions: $191B
- 2018 Annual revenue: $8.2B (19% increase from 2017)
- 2018 annual EBITDA:$659M(25% increasefrom 2017)
Website: www.cushmanwakefield.com
Newmark Knight Frank
Newmark Knight Frank is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms. NKF has more than 4,600 employees in over 120 offices across the U.S.
Together with London-based partner Knight Frank and independently-owned offices, NKF’s 15,000 professionals operate from more than 400 offices in established and emerging property markets on six continents.
- Employees: 16,000
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $151B
- 2017 Annual revenue: $1.5B (18% increase from 2016)
- 2017 adjusted annual EBITDA:$373M(72% increasefrom 2016)
Website: www.ngkf.com
Colliers International
Colliers International Group Inc. is an industry leading global commercial real estate company with more than 17,000 skilled professionals operating in 68 countries. Colliers professionals provide a full range of services to real estate occupiers, owners and investors worldwide.
Services include strategic advice and execution for property sales, leasing and finance; global corporate solutions; property, facility and project management; workplace solutions; appraisal, valuation and tax consulting; customized research; and thought leadership consulting.
- Employees: 17,000
- 2018 total value of global transactions: $116.3B
- 2018 Annual revenue: $2.8B(16% increase from 2017)
- 2018 annual EBITDA:$280M(27% increasefrom 2017)
Website:www2.colliers.com
Savills
Savills is a global commercial real estate services provider with a network of more than 35,000 people in over 600 offices across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.
A FTSE 250 company headquartered in London, Savills advises corporate, institutional and private clients who are seeking to acquire, lease, develop or realise the value of residential and commercial property in the world’s key locations.
- Employees: 35,000
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $82.9B
- 2018 Annual revenue: £1.76B(10% increase from 2017)
- 2018 annual EBITDA: £143.7M(2% increasefrom 2017)
Website:www.savills.com
Marcus & Millichap
Marcus & Millichap was founded in 1971 with the goal of being a new kind of commercial real estate company – one driven by long-term relationships and built on a culture of collaboration.
They are the industry’s largest firm specializing in real estate investment sales and financing, with over 80 offices and nearly 2,000 investment sales and financing professionals throughout the United States and Canada.
- Employees: 35,000
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $42.2B
- 2018 Annual revenue: $814.8M (13.2% increase from 2017)
- 2018 annual EBITDA: $119M(18% increasefrom 2017)
Website:www.marcusmillichap.com
HFF
As one of the largest and most successful commercial real estate capital intermediaries , HFF incorporates capital markets knowledge with local real estate expertise to successfully complete any type of real estate transaction, regardless of size or complexity. HFF is an experienced real estate investment advisor in the public-to-private domain and has been actively involved in the largest of such transactions over the past several years.
Their business lines – debt placement, investment advisory, equity placement, funds marketing, M&A and corporate advisory, loan sales and loan servicing – enable them to be a “one stop shop” intermediary for virtually any real estate transaction.
- Employees: 1,000
- 2017 total value of global transactions:$34.4B
- 2018 Annual revenue: $662M (9% increase from 2017)
- 2018 annual EBITDA: $119M(2% decreasefrom 2017)
Website:www.hfflp.com
Eastdil Secured
As the pioneer of the commercial real estate investment banking industry, Eastdil Secured has participated in every real estate cycle since 1967, attaining over 50 years of real estate investment banking knowledge and experience.
By maintaining an effective platform that combines conventional real estate brokerage with the corporate finance and capital markets expertise of an investment bank, Eastdil Secured creates value for clients through unparalleled advisory services, individually-tailored structures, and marketing – placement programs that set the industry standard.
- Employees: 505
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $93.9B
Website:www.eastdilsecured.com
TCN Worldwide
TCN Worldwide, a consortium of independent commercial real estate firms, provides complete integrated real estate solutions locally and internationally. With approximately $58.6 billion in annual transactions, TCN Worldwide ranks as one of the largest service providers in the industry.
Across all property types and service groups, TCN Worldwide’s 5,500+ brokers and salespeople have a well-earned reputation for independent thinking and cooperative problem-solving in more than 200 markets worldwide.
- Employees: 5,500
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $63.7B
Website:www.tcnworldwide.com
Avison Young
Avison Young is the world’s fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young is a collaborative, global firm owned and operated by its Principals. Founded in 1978, with legacies dating back more than 200 years, the company comprises approximately 5,000 real estate professionals in 120 offices in 20 countries.
The firm’s experts provide value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management and financing services to clients across the office, retail, industrial, multi-family and hospitality sectors.
- Employees: 5,000
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $17.4B
Website:www.avisonyoung.com
RE/MAX Commercial
RE/MAX Commercial, part of the world’s most productive commercial real estate network, is a leader in the commercial and investment arenas. RE/MAX Commercial closes more than $13 Billion in total commercial volume and includes more than 3,000 Commercial Practitioners in more than 50 countries and territories.
- Employees: 3,000
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $13B
Website:www.remaxcommercial.com
Lee & Associates
Lee & Associates is a commercial real estate brokerage, management and appraisal services firm. Established in 1979, Lee & Associates has grown its service platform to include offices in the United States and Canada.
Every Lee & Associates office delivers world class service to an array of regional, national and international clients – from small businesses and local investors to major corporate users and institutional investors.
- Employees: 800
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $13B
Website:www.lee-associates.com
SVN International
SVN International, a full-service commercial real estate franchisor of the SVN® brand, is comprised of over 1,600 commercial real estate Advisors and staff, in more offices in the United States than any other commercial real estate firm and continues to expand across the globe.
With 200 offices serving 500 markets, SVN provides sales, leasing, corporate services and property management services to clients across the globe.
- Employees: 1,600
- 2017 total value of global transactions:$11B
Website: www.svn.com
Transwestern
Transwestern is a privately held real estate firm of collaborative entrepreneurs who deliver a higher level of personalized service. Specializing in Agency Leasing, Asset Services, Occupier Solutions, Capital Markets and Research, their fully integrated global enterprise adds value for investors, owners and occupiers of all commercial property types.
They leverage market insights and operational expertise from members of the Transwestern family of companies specializing in development, real estate investment management and research. Transwestern has 33 U.S. offices and assists clients from more than 219 offices in 37 countries through strategic alliances with France-based BNP Paribas Real Estate and Canada-based Devencore.
- Employees: 2,100
- 2017 total value of global transactions:$10.8B
Website: www.transwestern.com
Coldwell Banker Commercial
Coldwell Banker Commercial® (CBC) is a worldwide leader in the commercial real estate industry, and is part of the oldest and most respected national real estate brand in the country, Coldwell Banker Real Estate.
With a collaborative network of independently owned and operated affiliates, the Coldwell Banker Commercial organization is comprised of approximately 2,100 sales agents working in approximately 200 companies throughout the U.S., as well as internationally.
- Employees: 2,100
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $8.7B
Website:www.cbcworldwide.com
KW Commercial
KW Commercial is the commercial real estate arm of Keller Williams Realty, serving both the US and Canada, and one of the fastest-growing real estate company in North America.
- Employees: 1,200
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $8.2B
Website: www.kwcommercial.com
Berkadia
Berkadia, a joint venture of Berkshire Hathaway and Jefferies Financial Group, is an industry leading commercial real estate company providing comprehensive capital solutions and investment sales advisory and research services for multifamily and commercial properties.
Berkadia is amongst the largest, highest rated and most respected primary, master and special servicers in the industry.
- Employees: 1,300
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $7.7B
Website:www.berkadia.com
Kidder Mathews
Kidder Mathews is the largest independent commercial real estate firm on the West Coast with 800 professionals in 22 offices across 5 states.
They offer a complete range of brokerage, appraisal, property management, consulting, project and construction management, and debt and equity finance services for all property types.
- Employees: 800
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $7B
Website:www.kidder.com
Commercial Properties Inc
Commercial Properties Inc. began business in 1981 as a commercial property management company for the Valley’s industrial properties.
CPI is a full-service brokerage and property management firm for all product types. Currently CPI’s listings include over 20 million square feet for sale/lease with more than 195 properties and associations under management, totaling over 11.5 million square feet.
- Employees: 107
- 2017 total value of global transactions: $6.7B
Website:www.cpiaz.com
* Sources:
As a seasoned professional with a comprehensive understanding of the commercial real estate industry, I have had extensive experience in various facets of this dynamic field. Over the years, I have worked closely with major commercial real estate companies and brokerage firms, gaining insights into their operations, market strategies, and the global landscape of commercial real estate.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article, focusing on the information related to the largest commercial real estate firms:
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CBRE (CBRE Group, Inc.):
- Employees: 90,000
- 2017 Total Value of Global Transactions: $337B
- 2018 Annual Revenue: $21.3B (14% increase from 2017)
- 2018 Annual EBITDA: $1.5B (5% increase from 2017)
- Website:
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JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated):
- Employees: 88,000
- 2017 Total Value of Global Transactions: $252B
- 2018 Annual Revenue: $16.3B (13% increase from 2017)
- 2018 Annual EBITDA: $92M (24% increase from 2017)
- Website:
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Cushman & Wakefield:
- Employees: 51,000
- 2016 Total Value of Global Transactions: $191B
- 2018 Annual Revenue: $8.2B (19% increase from 2017)
- 2018 Annual EBITDA: $659M (25% increase from 2017)
- Website:
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Newmark Knight Frank (NKF):
- Employees: 16,000
- 2017 Total Value of Global Transactions: $151B
- 2017 Annual Revenue: $1.5B (18% increase from 2016)
- 2017 Adjusted Annual EBITDA: $373M (72% increase from 2016)
- Website:
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Colliers International Group Inc.:
- Employees: 17,000
- 2018 Total Value of Global Transactions: $116.3B
- 2018 Annual Revenue: $2.8B (16% increase from 2017)
- 2018 Annual EBITDA: $280M (27% increase from 2017)
- Website:
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Savills:
- Employees: 35,000
- 2017 Total Value of Global Transactions: $82.9B
- 2018 Annual Revenue: £1.76B (10% increase from 2017)
- 2018 Annual EBITDA: £143.7M (2% increase from 2017)
- Website:
-
Marcus & Millichap:
- Employees: 35,000
- 2017 Total Value of Global Transactions: $42.2B
- 2018 Annual Revenue: $814.8M (13.2% increase from 2017)
- 2018 Annual EBITDA: $119M (18% increase from 2017)
- Website:
These firms are leaders in the commercial real estate industry, providing a diverse range of services to clients globally. Their performance metrics, such as total value of transactions, annual revenue, and EBITDA, highlight their significant impact and success in the market.
