Savills
Global real estate advisory, transaction, management and investment services firm.
Last updated October 21, 2026
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Overview
Savills plc is a British real estate services company headquartered in London. Its activities span property advisory, agency and brokerage, valuation, investment advice, property and facilities management, development consultancy, project management, research, rural property services, and related real estate consulting. The company serves corporate occupiers, investors, developers, landlords, institutions, governments, private clients and other property owners across the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas and the Middle East. The business traces its origins to 1855, when Alfred Savill established a London property practice. The firm developed as a family partnership during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with Alfred Savill's sons Alfred, Edwin and Norman becoming prominent partners. During the 1920s it moved to Lincoln's Inn Fields. Its continuity during the Second World War was supported by the preservation of important records, including records taken to Dorset by Norman Savill. By the 1970s the business had adopted the Savills name more prominently, helping establish the identity used by the modern group. Savills became a limited company in 1987 and joined the London Stock Exchange in 1988. Its subsequent development combined organic expansion with international mergers and acquisitions. The 1997 merger with First Pacific Davies strengthened its presence in Asia and is reflected in the Chinese name commonly associated with the group. In 1998, Savills acquired majority interests in the German, French and Spanish operations of Weatherall, Green & Smith, broadening its European platform. The group later pursued a more extensive international strategy. In North America, it announced the acquisition of New York-based Studley in 2014, bringing a major commercial tenant-representation business into the Savills network. In the United Kingdom, it acquired Smiths Gore in 2015, adding rural and residential property expertise, and acquired GBR Phoenix Beard in 2016 to reinforce its Midlands commercial property consultancy. Savills also used its investment subsidiary Grosvenor Hill Ventures to acquire a minority stake in Yopa Property, an online hybrid estate agency, in 2016. Further European expansion followed with the acquisition of Larry Smith Italia in 2017 and Aguirre Newman in 2017; the latter business was subsequently branded Savills Aguirre Newman in Spain and Portugal. Savills' business model is built around serving clients throughout the property lifecycle. Its transaction and agency teams advise on buying, selling, leasing and occupying property, while valuation, research and consultancy teams support investment and strategic decisions. Property, facilities and asset-management services provide recurring operational work for owners and occupiers. The company also maintains specialist capabilities in sectors such as offices, retail, industrial and logistics, residential, hotels, healthcare, leisure, rural land and development. Savills is listed in London and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index according to the referenced company description. Its international network allows it to combine local market knowledge with cross-border advice, although individual services and legal entities vary by jurisdiction. The group continues to position itself as a high-end, relationship-led professional services firm rather than as a property developer or property-owning company. Reference material also reports later expansion in the Middle East through an appointment by Expo City Dubai in 2025 and a proposed or announced acquisition of Eastdil Secured in 2026; these developments should be independently checked against current company filings before being treated as completed corporate history.
History
Savills began in London in 1855, when Alfred Savill established a property business. The enterprise remained associated with the Savill family as it developed through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. By Alfred Savill's death in 1905, his sons Alfred, Edwin and Norman were established as partners. In the 1920s the firm relocated to Lincoln's Inn Fields, an address that became associated with its historical development. The Second World War tested the continuity of the partnership. Norman Savill moved to Wimborne in Dorset and took important business records with him, while the remaining partners continued operating from Lincoln's Inn Fields. During the 1970s the firm adopted the Savills branding. It was incorporated as a limited company in 1987 and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1988, marking its transition from a family partnership into a publicly traded professional services group. Internationalization became a central feature of the company's later history. In 1997 Savills merged with First Pacific Davies in Asia, creating a stronger regional platform and the basis for the First Pacific Davies Savills name used in Asian markets. In 1998 it acquired majority interests in the German, French and Spanish businesses of Weatherall, Green & Smith, extending its European network. Savills pursued further growth through acquisitions in the 2010s. The announced 2014 acquisition of Studley gave the group a significant North American commercial tenant-representation capability. Smiths Gore was acquired in 2015, adding UK rural and residential property services. In 2016, Grosvenor Hill Ventures, Savills' investment subsidiary, took a minority stake in Yopa Property, an online hybrid estate agency. Savills also acquired GBR Phoenix Beard in 2016, strengthening its Midlands commercial consultancy operations. European expansion continued in 2017. Larry Smith Italia added commercial management and leasing expertise in Italy. Later that year Savills acquired Aguirre Newman, an independent Spanish and Portuguese real estate advisory business. The combined operation adopted the Savills Aguirre Newman name in January 2018. These transactions reflected a strategy of combining the Savills brand and international network with specialist local firms. Today Savills operates as a broad real estate professional services group rather than a conventional property owner or developer. Its services cover agency and brokerage, investment advice, valuations, consulting, development and project management, property and facilities management, research, and specialist rural and residential work. It serves a wide range of property sectors and client types across the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas and the Middle East. The company is headquartered in London, listed on the London Stock Exchange under SVS.L, and is described in the supplied reference material as a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The supplied material also records later developments in Dubai and North America, including an Expo City Dubai appointment in 2025 and an announced 2026 acquisition of Eastdil Secured. Because these events fall after the core historical material and may depend on completion or subsequent filings, they require verification before being presented as settled facts.
- 2018
Savills Aguirre Newman brand introduced
[1]The combined Spanish and Portuguese operation was rebranded Savills Aguirre Newman.
- 2017
Italian and Iberian expansion
[1]Savills acquired Larry Smith Italia and announced the acquisition of Aguirre Newman in Spain and Portugal.
- 2016
Yopa Property investment and GBR Phoenix Beard acquisition
[1]Grosvenor Hill Ventures acquired a minority stake in Yopa Property, while Savills separately acquired GBR Phoenix Beard to strengthen its Midlands consultancy business.
- 2015
Smiths Gore acquired
[1]The acquisition added UK rural and residential property services.
- 2014
Studley acquisition announced
[1]Savills announced its acquisition of New York-based commercial tenant-representation firm Studley.
- 1998
Expansion through Weatherall, Green & Smith interests
[1]Savills acquired majority stakes in the German, French and Spanish arms of Weatherall, Green & Smith.
- 1997
Merger with First Pacific Davies
[1]The merger expanded Savills' operations in Asia.
- 1988
London Stock Exchange listing
[1]Savills became a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange.
- 1987
Incorporation as a limited company
[1]Savills was incorporated as a limited company.
- 1970
Savills branding adopted
[1]During the 1970s the firm was rebranded as Savills.
Products and positioning
Premium, internationally integrated real estate professional services provider serving institutional, corporate, developer, investor and private-client markets.
Property transactions
Real estate agency and brokerage
Savills advises buyers, sellers, landlords, occupiers and investors on the marketing, acquisition, disposal and leasing of real estate. Coverage includes commercial, residential, retail, office, industrial, logistics, hotel, leisure, healthcare and development property, with local-market teams supported by the group's international network.
Investment services
Investment and capital markets advisory
The group provides advice on property investment, disposals, acquisitions, financing-related strategy and capital deployment. Its clients include institutional investors, funds, property companies, developers, private investors and occupiers seeking to understand market opportunities and transaction risk.
Advisory services
Valuation and consultancy
Savills offers valuation, research and strategic consultancy for property owners, lenders, investors, occupiers and public-sector clients. These services can support financial reporting, lending, taxation, acquisitions, portfolio strategy, feasibility analysis, development planning and market assessments.
Property management
Property and facilities management
Savills manages property and facilities for owners and occupiers, including operational oversight, leasing support, tenant services, maintenance coordination, compliance and asset-performance activities. The offering is intended to help clients operate buildings and portfolios after acquisition or development.
Development consultancy
Development and project management
The company advises on development opportunities and supports projects through planning, feasibility, procurement, delivery and completion. Its role is generally that of consultant or manager for landowners, developers, investors and public-sector organizations rather than that of a property-owning developer.
Specialist property services · 2015
Rural and residential property services
Through its specialist capabilities, including those associated with Smiths Gore, Savills provides advice relating to rural estates, agricultural property, land, farms, country houses and residential real estate. The work can include agency, valuation, management and strategic advice for private clients and institutional owners.
Controversies
2020
Nio responds to property commission lawsuit
Nio responded to a property commission lawsuit brought by Savills, stating that it respected the court's lawful judgment and that its legal team was following up on subsequent matters. The company said updates should be based on court announcements. The report states that Savills had sued Nio over an unpaid commission related to a retail property lease. No further details on the outcome, amounts, or individuals involved were provided in the source.
Brand decisions
2026
Announced Eastdil Secured acquisitionM&ABackground
Reference material describes a proposed transaction intended to increase Savills' North American investment-advisory scale.
Action taken
Savills reportedly announced the acquisition of Eastdil Secured for approximately $1.11 billion.
Aftermath
The reported transaction would significantly expand Savills' North American footprint if completed. Completion, terms and consideration require verification.
Reported transaction value. $1.11 billion announced consideration (2026 announcement)
2025
Expo City Dubai leasing and asset-management appointmentStrategyBackground
Expo City Dubai required leasing and commercial asset-management support for its district.
Action taken
Reference material states that Savills was appointed to manage leasing and commercial assets.
Aftermath
The appointment would extend Savills' Middle Eastern advisory and management work; the engagement should be verified through primary sources.
2017
Acquire Aguirre NewmanM&ABackground
Savills continued expanding its European advisory network in the Iberian Peninsula.
Action taken
Savills acquired Aguirre Newman, an independent Spanish and Portuguese real estate advisory business.
Aftermath
The combined business was rebranded Savills Aguirre Newman in January 2018.
2014
Acquire StudleyM&ABackground
Savills was seeking a stronger North American presence, particularly in commercial tenant representation.
Action taken
Savills announced the acquisition of New York-based Studley.
Aftermath
Studley's tenant-representation capabilities were brought into the Savills organization.
1997
Merge with First Pacific DaviesM&ABackground
Savills sought to strengthen its Asian operations and international platform.
Action taken
The company merged with First Pacific Davies in Asia.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the group's Asian presence and contributed to the First Pacific Davies Savills regional identity.
Recent events
Reported
Savills opens in Pakistan[4]
Savills opened in Pakistan, operating from offices in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad with a 42-person team joining the business. The article says the existing business had formerly operated as a Colliers International franchise.
- Unconfirmed
Savills and Hongyuan Asset enter leasing agency partnership[5]
Savills and Hongyuan Asset agreed that Savills would provide exclusive leasing agency services for Hongyuan Asset's Hongyuan Headquarters Plaza and Hongyuan Fengheng Building projects in the Fengtai Park area.
- Unconfirmed
Savills partners with Hongya Culture and Beijing Urban Group[6]
Savills entered into cooperation with Hongya Culture and Beijing Urban Group. The reported work includes developing commercial content with Hongya Culture and adjusting the commercial offering at Beijing Urban Shopping Center with Beijing Urban Group.
Reported
Savills appoints Mitchell Rudin as North America chairman and CEO[7]
Savills announced that Mitchell Rudin would become Chairman and CEO of Savills North America effective June 30, 2020, succeeding Mitchell Steir, who planned to step down.
Reported
Nio responds to property commission lawsuit[3]
Nio said it respected the court's lawful judgment, that its legal team was following up on subsequent matters, and that updates should be based on court announcements. The report says Savills had sued Nio over an unpaid commission related to a retail property lease.
Reported
Court orders NIO to pay Savills commission[8]
The Jiading District Court in Shanghai ruled that Shanghai NIO Automobile Co., Ltd. must pay Savills RMB 1.1 million in brokerage service fees, plus overdue-payment interest from May 1, 2017 until payment.
Reported
VELUX and Savills sign strategic cooperation agreement[9]
VELUX and Savills signed a cooperation agreement in Langfang, Hebei, to jointly develop an Active House healthy-building ecosystem and provide consulting and certification services for projects. The article also reports that the companies signed an agreement on EDGE cooperation.
Sources9 sources
- 1Savillsen.wikipedia.org
- 2Savills official websitesavills.com
- 3Nio responds to property commission lawsuitfinance.sina.com.cn
- 4Savills在巴基斯坦开展业务menafn.com
- 5第一太平戴维斯与弘源资产达成租赁代理合作house.jrj.com.cn
- 6第一太平戴维斯与闳雅文化、北京城乡集团开展合作house.jrj.com.cn
- 7Savills任命Mitchell Rudin为北美区董事长兼首席执行官prnewswire.com
- 8法院判令蔚来向第一太平戴维斯支付佣金finance.sina.com.cn
- 9威卢克斯与第一太平戴维斯签署战略合作协议finance.sina.com.cn
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