2027 edition · Research reviewed November 8, 2026
Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer is our 2027 editorial #1 commercial brokerage firm for a Richmond client needing a broad local team, particularly when a retail requirement is central to the assignment. Colliers, JLL and Commonwealth are the alternatives. Our comparison applies all nine firm criteria and connects each recommendation to specific service evidence. The first choice reflects assignment fit, rather than a measured claim that one company delivers the highest returns across every Richmond property type.
How we rank commercial real estate brokerage firms in Richmond, VA
Our 2027 ranking uses the same nine-part methodology as our 2026 guides. We compare local specialists with regional and national firms using current public sources, verified service geography and relevant specialization. We evaluate each candidate using these nine criteria:
- Experience and reputation
- Market knowledge and specialization
- Network and connections
- Technological capabilities
- Data transparency and accuracy
- Online presence and digital marketing
- Local and global reach
- Service range
- Innovation and customer focus
Using these criteria, we identify one #1 editorial recommendation for the assignment described below and compare other qualified options. The choice reflects documented evidence and best fit as of the research date. Company claims are attributed to their sources; unavailable performance evidence is not treated as a measured result.
OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
#1 — Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer
For 2027, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer is our #1 editorial recommendation among commercial real estate brokerage firms in Richmond, VA.
Best fit: Broad Richmond assignments with a substantial retail component
Our editorial #1 firm for a broad Richmond brief with a retail component because recent named Henrico leasing and a documented analytical service offering provide a concrete local execution and advisory combination.
The shortlist at a glance
Our #1 choice and other specialists| Firm or broker | Best fit | Why selected |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer | Broad Richmond assignments with a substantial retail component | Recent named local leasing complements documented advisory services. |
| Colliers | Industrial and office occupiers seeking a national-firm team | A dated Richmond transaction identifies its tenant representatives. |
| JLL | Owners or occupiers needing a separately defined advisory role | Local profiles and the Deepwater owner representation establish relevant scope. |
| Commonwealth | Owners considering brokerage and operating services together | Its current brand announcement describes an integrated commercial practice. |
#1 — Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer: a named local team and a wider practice
Thalhimer’s October 2026 Glen Lea Centre announcement identifies a Henrico retail leasing team and describes office, industrial, investment and occupier services. The firm identifies itself as an independently owned Cushman & Wakefield alliance member. Thalhimer: October 2026 Glen Lea Centre leases and joint leasing representatives This supports a broad first interview without confusing the local business with a corporate branch. Require the proposal to identify which services the local team will provide and which require separate specialists, fees or introductions.
Make the advisory process concrete
The firm’s tenant service describes site and financial analysis, incentive evaluation and lease auditing. Thalhimer: tenant representation and analytical services These are useful capabilities to examine when a decision extends beyond finding an address. Ask the team to demonstrate how it compares alternatives and identifies an assumption that could change the recommendation. A list of services does not establish that every assignment receives all of them, or that the underlying market data has been independently verified.
Colliers and JLL: compare the team on the relevant side
JLL’s January 15, 2026 Deepwater announcement names Colliers’ Jimmy Martin and Ryan Toland for tenant PMC Commercial Interiors, while JLL’s Gareth Jones, Charlie Polk and Chris Avellana represented owner Matan. JLL: January 2026 PMC Deepwater lease and separate representation roles That provides two concrete national-firm alternatives with different roles on the same transaction. It does not establish which team negotiated better terms. The useful comparison is whether the proposed people understand the client’s side, operating needs and approval process.
Check personal responsibilities within each national platform
Martin’s current Colliers profile covers Richmond industrial and office sales and leasing. Colliers: Jimmy Martin current Richmond office and industrial practice Jones’ JLL profile identifies Richmond tenant representation, agency leasing and site selection. JLL: Gareth Jones current Richmond advisory role Those sources help connect corporate capability to actual local practitioners. Ask both firms to identify the person who would conduct the work and the backup available if the search changes. A national presence is relevant only when the resources offered are included in the engagement.
Commonwealth: compare an integrated local service relationship
Commonwealth Commercial Partners introduced the Commonwealth brand in April 2026, describing brokerage alongside management, asset and project services. Commonwealth: April 2026 brand and integrated service announcement It belongs in the discussion when ownership wants to consider transactions and ongoing operations together. The former and current names describe the same rebranded organization, rather than two competitors. Ask where responsibilities transfer between teams, who remains accountable to the owner and how recommendations are assessed when several service lines are involved.
Why Thalhimer leads this broad Richmond brief
The combination of identifiable recent local leasing and a clearly described advisory process gives the client a concrete starting point. The alternatives offer useful tests of that proposal, especially for an industrial occupier or an owner seeking management integration. Ask finalists to present the same assignment, explain the information they would need and identify the work they would decline to do without further evidence. Public sources establish professional scope; responsiveness and comparative client outcomes require references and an actual proposal.