What Are the Biggest Commercial Real Estate Companies?
The commercial real estate (CRE) industry is a central pillar of the global economy, shaping the skylines of cities, determining how businesses operate, and managing trillions of dollars in assets. Behind every skyscraper, logistics hub, retail mall, or office park lies the expertise of a commercial real estate firm. These companies are not merely brokers; they are sophisticated enterprises providing investment strategy, financial services, valuation, property management, project development, and advisory services on a global scale.
Over the past few decades, commercial real estate companies have evolved from regional brokers into diversified, multinational corporations. These firms handle transactions worth billions annually, employ thousands of real estate professionals, and operate across every continent. Their scale and influence mean they not only drive deal-making but also shape the commercial property landscape of entire countries.
Understanding who the major players are in this sector provides useful insight for investors, developers, tenants, and professionals alike. From transaction volumes to asset management and corporate services, the largest commercial real estate companies offer an unparalleled breadth of expertise and global coverage. Their dominance is built not only on size but on reputation, strategic execution, client trust, and innovation.
In this article, we explore the biggest commercial real estate companies in the world, those that stand out for their service offerings, global presence, market influence, and long-term performance. These are the firms that consistently top industry rankings and lead transformational change in the built environment.
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How Size Is Measured in Commercial Real Estate
The term “biggest” in the context of commercial real estate is not measured by one metric alone. Multiple factors contribute to a company’s status as a market leader, including:
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Transaction volume across leasing, sales, and capital markets
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Global workforce and office presence in major markets
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Assets under management (AUM), especially for firms with investment arms
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Annual revenue, net profit, and growth trajectory
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Breadth of services, from brokerage to development and consulting
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Influence in global and regional markets
Firms that perform well across these dimensions are typically regarded as the most dominant in the industry.
Globalization and the Rise of Full-Service CRE Firms
In the past, many commercial real estate businesses operated on a regional or national basis. However, globalization and the growth of institutional investing have driven consolidation and expansion. Today’s largest firms offer clients a one-stop solution, combining brokerage services with property management, investment advisory, asset valuation, project development, and sustainability consulting.
This integrated model allows these firms to serve multinational corporations, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and REITs. Whether managing an industrial portfolio in China or helping a tech company lease office space in Silicon Valley, the largest CRE companies provide unmatched expertise and scale.
Another factor in their growth has been technological investment. Many top firms have incorporated AI-driven analytics, virtual tour technology, ESG compliance tools, and data platforms to stay competitive. These advancements allow them to operate more efficiently, attract global capital, and offer forward-looking services to demanding clients.
Regional Strength vs. Global Reach
While several firms dominate the global scene, others maintain strongholds in specific geographies. For instance, firms like Savills and BNP Paribas Real Estate wield significant power in Europe and Asia, while Newmark and Eastdil Secured are more dominant in the U.S.
Some firms excel in brokerage and leasing, while others focus heavily on investment management or property development. Despite these differences, the largest companies are united by their ability to serve clients at scale and maintain a reputation for performance and professionalism across diverse markets.
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The 10 Biggest Commercial Real Estate Companies
Here are the most influential and largest commercial real estate companies worldwide, based on revenue, transaction volume, assets under management, and geographic scope:
1. CBRE Group, Inc. (USA)
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
CBRE is widely recognized as the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm. With operations in more than 100 countries and over 100,000 employees, CBRE dominates in virtually every segment of the market, including leasing, capital markets, project management, valuations, and investment advisory.
Its global investment arm, CBRE Investment Management, oversees over $140 billion in assets. The firm’s clientele ranges from institutional investors and corporate tenants to government entities and REITs.
2. JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated) (USA)
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
JLL is another global leader with a strong focus on corporate real estate services, sustainability consulting, and data-driven portfolio strategy. Operating in more than 80 countries with over 100,000 employees, JLL has become a go-to partner for multinational corporations seeking office, industrial, and retail solutions.
Through LaSalle Investment Management, it also manages more than $80 billion in real estate assets worldwide.
3. Cushman & Wakefield (USA)
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Cushman & Wakefield is a top-tier global firm serving over 60 countries with 50,000 employees. Known for its tenant representation, capital markets services, and occupier solutions, the firm regularly handles multi-billion-dollar transactions and manages over 4 billion square feet of commercial space.
Its strength lies in corporate services and major institutional client relationships.
4. Colliers International (Canada)
Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario
Colliers has evolved into a multinational full-service CRE firm operating in 60+ countries. It provides brokerage, valuation, project management, and real estate consulting. Colliers has aggressively expanded through acquisitions, positioning itself as a fast-growing challenger to the larger U.S.-based firms.
Its entrepreneurial culture and diversified service model make it a preferred partner in both developed and emerging markets.
5. Newmark Group Inc. (USA)
Headquarters: New York, New York
Newmark, formerly Newmark Knight Frank, has grown rapidly in the U.S. commercial property market. While less global than some of its competitors, it excels in investment sales, debt & equity advisory, and workplace strategy.
Newmark also invests heavily in proptech platforms, offering clients digital tools for market intelligence and real-time analytics.
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6. Savills plc (UK)
Headquarters: London, England
Savills is a major European commercial real estate firm with global operations across 70 countries. It is particularly strong in the UK, Hong Kong, and continental Europe. Its services span commercial leasing, investment management, development consultancy, and global tenant services.
The firm is also known for its prestigious client base, including high-net-worth investors, international banks, and developers.
7. BNP Paribas Real Estate (France)
Headquarters: Paris, France
BNP Paribas Real Estate is the property services arm of the banking giant BNP Paribas. Its dominant footprint in continental Europe makes it a key player in investment advisory, asset management, and corporate real estate strategy across France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
Its financial backing and integration with institutional capital give it a unique edge in cross-border investments.
8. Eastdil Secured (USA)
Headquarters: New York, New York
Eastdil Secured is not a full-service CRE firm but is globally respected for its high-end investment banking approach to real estate. It focuses on large-scale transactions, capital placement, and strategic advisory. Its clientele includes REITs, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and private equity firms.
Eastdil is often behind the scenes in billion-dollar asset sales in cities like New York, London, and San Francisco.
9. Hines (USA)
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Hines is a global real estate investment and development firm operating in 25 countries. Unlike brokerage-centric firms, Hines focuses on development, asset management, and capital partnerships. With more than $90 billion in AUM, Hines builds, owns, and operates some of the world’s most iconic commercial properties.
The firm’s development expertise, particularly in urban and mixed-use environments, sets it apart from traditional brokers.
10. Brookfield Properties (Canada/USA)
Headquarters: Toronto & New York
Brookfield Properties is part of Brookfield Asset Management and is involved in office, retail, logistics, and multifamily real estate. Known for managing some of the world’s most valuable urban assets, the company has a global real estate portfolio valued at over $200 billion.
Its focus is on long-term, high-value investments and operational excellence.
Common Traits of Top Commercial Real Estate Firms
While the above firms differ in structure and specialization, they share key characteristics that contribute to their market dominance:
Shared Success Factors:
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Global Footprint: Operating in 50+ countries to serve multinational clients.
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Diversified Services: From brokerage to investment management and development.
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Institutional Clientele: Working with governments, pension funds, Fortune 500 companies.
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Technological Investment: Proptech, data analytics, and automation tools.
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Scalable Platforms: The ability to execute small local deals and billion-dollar cross-border investments alike.
These firms have redefined what it means to be a commercial real estate company in the 21st century.
Conclusion
The largest commercial real estate companies in the world are not just intermediaries, they are architects of cities, facilitators of global commerce, and custodians of some of the most valuable physical assets on Earth. With expansive service offerings, deep capital relationships, and technological sophistication, they lead the evolution of the commercial property market worldwide.
Whether you're a real estate professional, corporate tenant, institutional investor, or aspiring broker, knowing who the industry leaders are, and what makes them dominant, offers valuable insight into how the commercial real estate world works at its highest level.
As the market continues to globalize and digitize, these giants will play an even greater role in shaping how people live, work, invest, and grow wealth through property.
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