Savills Reportedly Acquires Eastdil Secured for $1.2B

London-based Savills is set to expand its portfolio significantly by acquiring Eastdil Secured for $1.2 billion. This acquisition highlights ongoing trends in the real estate brokerage sector. The deal, which is expected to be officially announced soon, involves Savills paying 60% of the purchase price in cash, with the remainder in shares.

Savills and Eastdil Secured

Eastdil Secured, founded in 1967 and based in New York City, will retain its name and maintain cultural independence following the acquisition. The firm is led by CEO Roy March, who has been with Eastdil since 1978. Under his leadership, Eastdil has expanded beyond traditional brokerage services; it also engages in mergers and acquisitions, corporate advisory, joint ventures, and capital raising activities.

Historical Context

In 2019, Eastdil underwent a significant ownership change when Wells Fargo & Co. sold a majority stake to Guggenheim Investments and Singapore’s Temasek, while retaining a minority share. In addition, Eastdil is currently advising an investor consortium led by Affinius Capital on its planned $3.4 billion acquisition of Veris Residential, a real estate investment trust based in Jersey City.

Savills’ Growth Journey

Founded in 1855, Savills has steadily grown its presence in the U.S. since moving there over a decade ago. Major acquisitions include the 2014 purchase of tenant representation firm Studley, and in subsequent years, the firm acquired other companies such as Macro Consultants and T3 Advisors, which focus on project management and advisory services in life sciences and technology, respectively. Most recently, Savills expanded its reach in Ireland by acquiring The Building Consultancy.

Leadership Changes

The acquisition of Eastdil Secured comes shortly after Savills’ leadership change, with Simon Shaw appointed as CEO on January 1, succeeding Mark Ridley, who retired at the end of 2025. This leadership transition, combined with strategic acquisitions, positions Savills as a formidable player in the real estate sector.

Conclusion

As Savills moves forward with acquiring Eastdil Secured, the broader implications could reshape the real estate brokerage landscape. This significant investment reflects Savills’ ongoing commitment to growth and expansion in diverse markets.