Savills Strengthens U.S. Footprint with $1.1B Acquisition of Eastdil Secured

Savills, the London-based global real estate services firm, has agreed to acquire New York’s Eastdil Secured Holdings in a transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion, including debt. The deal marks a strategic expansion of Savills’ presence in the U.S. real estate market, combining debt financing and new share issuance to fund the acquisition. Under the terms, Eastdil’s existing shareholders will hold about 16% of the combined company, signaling a significant partnership between the two firms.

Eastdil Secured has carved out a distinctive position as a real estate investment bank, advising major institutional investors on complex transactions involving sales, acquisitions, and financing. The firm’s deep roots in New York and its reputation for handling landmark deals have been bolstered by its ability to fill the advisory void left by many Wall Street banks that scaled back real estate services following the 2008 financial crisis. This unique positioning has allowed Eastdil to operate globally as both a broker and financial adviser, with a focus on high-value, intricate real estate transactions.

For Savills, the acquisition represents a strategic move to compete more directly with U.S. heavyweights such as CBRE and JLL. Having previously entered the U.S. market through the 2014 purchase of brokerage Studley, which expanded its leasing advisory capabilities, Savills will now significantly broaden its investment sales and debt advisory services. Debt advisory has emerged as a key growth sector within real estate brokerage, and Eastdil’s expertise in this area aligns well with Savills’ ambitions to deepen its service offerings.

Simon Shaw, CEO of Savills, highlighted the company’s desire to increase its footprint in the U.S. as a major factor driving the acquisition. The deal comes at a time when the U.S. real estate market continues to attract global capital, and firms with comprehensive advisory capabilities are well positioned to capture increased deal flow. By integrating Eastdil’s specialized investment banking platform, Savills aims to enhance its competitive edge and better serve institutional clients navigating the complex landscape of U.S. property transactions.