2027 edition · Research reviewed November 7, 2026
An office landlord needs a leasing proposal that connects the building’s current condition with a realistic tenant audience. Our New York metro selections emphasize documented Manhattan agency practices and an owner-oriented local firm. We used all nine brokerage criteria. Owners elsewhere in the metro should require a named local team and comparable assignments before extending these recommendations to a different office submarket.
How we rank commercial real estate brokerage firms in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ–PA
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 in office leasing for landlords. 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 — CBRE
For 2027, CBRE is our #1 editorial recommendation among commercial real estate brokerage firms for office leasing for landlords in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ–PA.
Best fit: A dedicated office agency proposal
Our #1 editorial recommendation is based on named NYC agency leadership.
The shortlist at a glance
Our #1 choice and other specialists| Firm or broker | Best fit | Why selected |
|---|---|---|
| #1 CBRE | A dedicated office agency proposal | Named NYC agency leadership. |
| JLL | Leasing tied to repositioning | Published landlord agency experience. |
| ABS Partners | Coordinating leasing and operations | Local owner services spanning office leasing and delivery. |
CBRE — a dedicated New York agency practice
CBRE identifies Howard Fiddle as a Vice Chairman and co-head of its New York City Agency Department. CBRE: Howard Fiddle We select the practice when ownership wants a structured agency proposal. Ask the team to explain how it would position the building, qualify prospects and turn tour feedback into recommendations that ownership can act on.
JLL — office agency and repositioning experience
Riguardi’s JLL biography lists landlord agency or repositioning assignments including Brookfield Place and 28 Liberty. JLL: Peter Riguardi We include this practice when leasing must align with a broader property plan. These historical examples establish experience, not a prediction of the results achievable for another building. Request a plan tailored to the asset’s present condition and ownership objectives.
ABS Partners — office leasing alongside operating services
ABS describes office marketing and repositioning, financial analysis and construction supervision among its owner services. ABS Partners: owner services This makes it a useful local comparison when the leasing campaign must be coordinated with improvements or building operations. Ask which services are included in the agency appointment and which would require separate personnel or fees.
Build a proposition the property can deliver
Start by reviewing the available configurations, access, known constraints and the owner’s ability to deliver improvements. Ask each finalist to identify a plausible tenant audience and explain the evidence behind it. The campaign should distinguish existing conditions from proposals and show who will resolve unanswered technical questions. A strong presentation is useful only when its underlying assumptions withstand prospect scrutiny.
Align leasing with ownership decisions
Agree how the broker and manager will exchange information about tours, operating conditions, tenant requests and improvement work. Require explanations for stalled or lost opportunities, not just activity counts. The owner should know which changes can be made within the approved campaign and which require a fresh decision. Discuss how competing listings and agency conflicts will be handled.
Evaluate results without inventing comparisons
Current roles and service descriptions support these selections. The reviewed materials do not provide a common independently verified measure of net effective rents, vacancy reduction or retention. Those outcomes remain unscored. Request comparable references, a reporting sample and a clear fee structure, then assess the actual lead’s availability and proposed use of analytical and marketing resources.