Lipsey, the commercial real estate training company has just revealed its annual chart of the top 25 brands in the commercial real estate sector. Because of the mergers and acquisitions witnessed in the past year, it is highly anticipated to see what difference they have made to the various brands’ images. The 2010 chart of commercial real estate brands is as follows:
1st: CB Richard Ellis
CB Richard Ellis was always going to come out on top; the firm is without doubt one of the biggest and best known commercial real estate brands. With over 30,000 staff and 300 offices worldwide (not counting its affiliates) CB Richard Ellis offers the full range of services, from advice, to mortgage banking, to project management and development. Their investment analysis and research is well published in the international press.
Joint 2nd: Colliers International
Colliers is equal in standing to CB Richard Ellis, and equal in the range of services it provides, but not equal in real size. This is because colliers runs on franchises, and offers its services around the world through affiliated independently owned real estate companies, to the tune of 12,700 employees in 294 offices in 61 countries. Colliers moves up 1 place from last year.
Joint 2nd: Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield is without doubt one of the largest commercial real estate consultancy firms in the world, operating 221 offices in 58 countries, and employing 15,000 people. The firm represents its clients in the buying and selling process, and provides services such as portfolio analysis, and site selection advice.
3rd: Jones Lang La Salle
In third place comes Jones Lang la Salle, which is perhaps larger and better known than any of the companies above. One can only suspect that it is JLLS becoming known for the wrong reasons the 2007/08 that has caused it be 4th in the year ending 2008, and 3rd in 2009. JLLS employs 30,000 people, in 61 countries and 750 locations, and has a number of star points, like being the largest retail investment adviser in Germany.
4th: NAI
Another affiliate company, with 5000 franchised professionals in 325 offices in 55 countries worldwide. NAI has climbed from being 7th on the Lipsey chart in 2009.
5th: Coldwell Banker Commercial
The Coldwell Banker Commercial® (CBC®) organization is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, one of the oldest and most respected national real estate brands in the country. Realogy is a collaborative network of independently owned and operated affiliates, the CBC organization comprises over 260 companies and almost 3,000 professionals across what is the largest geographic footprint in today’s commercial real estate marketplace. CBC was 8th in the Lipsey chart in 2009.
6th: Grubb & Ellis
With over 6000 professionals, in 130 owned and affiliated companies, Grub & Ellis has slipped back one place since the 2009 chart.
7th: Cresa Partners LLC
Boston based Cresa Partners employs 700 staff in 125 cities in 35 countries. The firm offers tailored solutions to tenants/space users, to make sure they get the right premises for their purpose. Cresa Partners is a massively growing brand, up from 24th place in the 2009 chart.
8th: Oncor International
A smaller company than most, Oncor is a rising star in terms of volume. In 2007 the firm was responsible for $38.4 billion in commercial real estate volume, and 17,000 transactions. In 2009 the firm ranked 9th in the Lipsey chart.
9th: Cassidy Turley
Cassidy Turley is a newcomer to the chart, because it is a new company. Formed in January, Cassidy Turley is made up of former Colliers Franchises, and should be one to watch in the coming years.
10th: Corfac International
This is another company made up of independently owned real estate companies, covering the Americas, Europe and Asia. It remains in 10th from the 2009 chart.
11th: Sperry Van Ness Commercial Real Estate Advisors
Sperry Van Ness’s unique proposition makes it one of the fastest growing companies in America. On top of the core range of services expected from such firms, Sperry Van Ness offers accelerated marketing and auction services. Sperry Van Ness markets all properties on a national basis to a 100,000-strong brokerage and investment community. It was in 12th place on the 2009 Lipsey Chart.
12th: TCN Worldwide Real Estate
This is basically a membership program, where people are trained successful methods of commercial real estate investment. From only a few members in 1989, TCN is now one of the largest organisations of this kind, and is up from 15th on the 2009 chart.
13th: Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services
Down from 11th in the 2009 chart, Marcus and Millichap are involved in the purchase, sale and management of Transactions include shopping centers, office and industrial buildings, apartment properties, single-tenant net-lease properties, hotels/motels, senior housing facilities, manufactured home communities, self-storage and land.
14th: Costar
Costar is another strong riser, up from 17th in the 2009 chart. Costar is the leading provider of information services to commercial real estate professionals in the United States and the United Kingdom, and also operates in France.
15th: Loopnet
LoopNet operates the largest and most heavily trafficked commercial real estate listing service online with more than 4 million registered members and 985,000 average monthly unique visitors. Little wonder it has risen 4 places from 19th in last year’s Lipsey chart.
16th: Prologis
Headquartered in Denver, ProLogis leases industrial space to manufacturers, retailers, transportation companies, third-party logistics providers and other enterprises with large-scale distribution needs, and is a faller from 13th last year. The firm is also listed as a Fortune 500 company, and on the S&P 500 share index.
17th: Equity Office Properties Trust
One of the US’s largest commercial landlords, Equity Office Properties Trusts specialises in Grade A Office space throughout the US, of which it owns and leases out 60 million square feet. Its main operations are in the top cities like: Boston, Manhattan, LA, and Northern California. The firm climbs 8 places from 25th last year.
18th: Transwestern Commercial Services
Transwestern is a privately held company operating a range of core commercial real estate services in the US. The firm is up 3 places from 21st in last year’s chart.
19th: Newmark Knight Frank
This is a merger of the US big-hitter Newmark, and UK based big-hitter Knight Frank, between them they are now responsible for 200 offices in the world’s established and emerging markets. Some will be surprised that they have fallen from 16th in last year’s chart.
20th: Lee & Associates
It says a lot for this firm that it was responsible for the sale of $7 billion worth of commercial real estate in what was a difficult 2009. The firm has had the ingenius idea of launching a major profit-share program, which means all their staff are equally dedicated to the company’s growth, to which it is now the fourth largest commercial real estate vendor in the US. Lee & Associates also climb 2 places in the Lipsey chart.
21st: Studley Inc
Established in 1954 Studley Inc has maintained solid growth through a focus on extending the value of its range of services. The firm falls 3 places since last year.
22nd: RReef Real Estate
Down 2 places since last year, RReef prides itself on its relationship with its worldwide client base, and is responsible for the management of 36.5 billio0n euros in commercial real estate assets.
23rd: Hines Interest Limited Partnership
A privately owned company, Hines Interest Limited Partnership has offices around the world, and regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston, as well as its European Headquarters in London.
24th: Duke Realty Corporation
With 135 million square feet of industrial and office space in more than 20 cities, Duke Realty Corp offers the core range of services like lease management and space selection, but also has national construction capabilities.
25th: Simon Property Group Inc, DTZ Holdings PLC and Tishman Speyer,
With the exception of DTZ Holdings PLC, the three companies now tied in 25th place, like those in 24th and 23rd are all newcomers to the Lipsey Chart. DTZ Holdings PLC falls an incredible 11 places from 14th last year. The others are all worth watching, all have the potential to climb the chart in subsequent years.
