Newmark Grubb Knight Frank??

Thanks for the response. I'm actually more specifically speaking about a team in the Southeast (think Atlanta, Orlando, Miami). I know the big market guys and everything are in NY, but what do you mean by "don't even bother"? Are they not a good firm to go after in terms of starting off in real estate capital markets? I appreciate the help!

This is not true. Newmark is pouring tons of cash into their operation in DC. In the past 3 months alone, they have recruited one of the heads of Vornado leasing to lead their DC landlord practice, swiped multiple top tenant reps from top 3 firms, and are apparently poised to try and build their capital markets group with top of the line professionals. Rumor has it that NYC has their eye on DC as their next major project. Could certainly be a place to look that has significant growth potential.

They were considered a lower tier brokerage compared to CB/JLL. But within the past few months they have acquired major rainmakers from top brokerages, and have hinted with a few more to come. They are showing the industry they are willing to spend capital to improve their platform, and I see them potentially becoming a very recognized firm within the next few years.

Although there are the big brokerages (CBRE, JLL, Cushman, and NGKF), it really also comes down to each specific city. Yes, these brokerages are normally the top brokerages in each city, but CBRE could be the top in one city and the worst of the 4 in another. It really comes down to a city by city basis. If you give us your city, more color could be given. For instance, in my city, NGKF has some of the top leasing guys in the industry.

Thanks for both replies. The "city by city basis" judgement makes sense.

Is there specialty leasing over IS & CM?

pudding:

Although there are the big brokerages (CBRE, JLL, Cushman, and NGKF)

Not to get into a stupid argument, because it only serves to prove your larger point, but I would put Colliers above Cushman and NGKF in many markets. Typically, in the various markets I've worked in, it goes:

1. CBRE

2. JLL (Office) & Colliers (Everything Else)

3. Others

Company is expanding and trying to build a huge capital markets platform. They acquired the top sales team in the country (Boston from C&W) and one of the largest in Cali from CBRE. Also bought ARA last year.

Howard Lutnick (Cantor) is also the CEO of their parent company, so building a capital markets platform makes sense.

What the others said about their push to expand their platform is true. Right now I wouldn't put them in the same category as CBRE/JLL/Cushman in MOST markets. Eastdil and HFF also need to be included in the conversation unless we are exclusively talking about leasing.

I work with NGKF on and off and have overall good things to say about the people I've interacted with. Understand they are bolstering HC in the coming few quarters.

NGKF has been a lower-tier firm, but once Cantor Fitzgerald scooped them up they have been folded under an umbrella that includes Berkeley Point (DUS lender), ARA (multifamily sales and debt placement), and CCRE (CMBS conduit). NGKF has also poached several top-tier teams in various primary markets throughout the U.S. Their scorecards may be lower than the other big shops like CBRE, HFF, JLL, Eastdil, etc.; but I with the recent talent acquired they are up and coming. Some of the other competing shops also have their own DUS licenses, but NGKF has direct outlets that most competitors do not.

I did some work with them as an intern in one of the southeast offices. Very minor stuff, but as far as the culture, they seem very cool. I don't think they're as big down south as they are in places like NYC (nowhere near CB and JLL), etc, so relationships and hustling are key. But as you mentioned, they are making moves

NYC is their primary HQ and they are investing a ton of money in some other major east coast markets. I can't speak to a lot of other areas but they have poured millions and millions into expanding their DC staff by writing top dogs in leasing, investment sales and debt/equity financing huge checks to come work for them. NYC/DC with them is certainly a good place to be.

I've co-broke with them in a top 4 market. Very good/smart people who have extra hustle-- its like they have a chip on their shoulders because they're not mentioned along with the big boys. They are growing rapidly and will be in the "major" category very soon. They are investing TONS of money in themselves. The analyst that I worked with over there was phenomenal.

^this is referring to an Investment Sales team

I interviewed with them in June of last year for a senior analyst role in their debt/equity placement group in their NW DC office. They had just poached a team of two big originators who were looking to hire their staff. The office space is really nice, the hiring managers (team leads) seemed like nice guys, but there was no "personality fit." There was obviously no mutual interest between the sides--I wasn't down with their personalities and they were not down with mine.