Cushman & Wakefield is a global commercial real estate brokerage

Cushman & Wakefield is a commercial real estate services firm that operates in more than 70 countries. The company handles office leasing, industrial property sales, retail transactions, and investment advisory work — the kinds of deals that involve buildings worth millions of dollars or long-term tenant agreements.

The firm employs thousands of brokers and agents who represent either landlords and property owners (the sell side) or tenants and investors looking to lease or buy (the buy side). Like other major brokerages, Cushman & Wakefield makes money through commissions on completed transactions, typically a percentage of the deal value or annual lease amount.

If you are a business owner looking to relocate your office, a property owner trying to lease warehouse space, or an investor evaluating a commercial portfolio, you would contact a Cushman & Wakefield broker in your region. The broker's job is to understand what you need, find matching properties, negotiate terms, and shepherd the deal to closing.

Key Takeaways

  • Cushman & Wakefield brokers represent either property owners seeking tenants or buyers, or tenants and investors seeking space, and earn commission when deals close.
  • The firm operates across office, industrial, retail, and investment property categories, with regional offices that handle local market knowledge and transactions.
  • Commercial real estate transactions typically involve lease negotiations, property valuations, market analysis, and legal documentation that brokers coordinate with lawyers and other professionals.
  • Brokers at large firms like Cushman & Wakefield have access to proprietary databases, market data, and networks that help them find off-market deals and match buyers with sellers.

How a commercial real estate broker represents you

When you hire a broker, you sign a representation agreement that spells out whether the broker works for you (the tenant or buyer) or for the property owner (the landlord or seller). This matters because it determines whose interests the broker prioritizes and what information they must disclose to you.

A broker representing a tenant will search available properties, negotiate lease terms, handle inspections and due diligence, and push back on landlord demands. A broker representing an owner will market the space, screen potential tenants, and negotiate to maximize rent or sale price. Some transactions involve two brokers — one on each side — who split the commission.

The broker coordinates with title companies, environmental consultants, lawyers, and lenders to move the deal forward. They also provide market data: comparable rents in the area, vacancy rates, recent sales, and tenant demand. This information helps you understand whether the asking price or rent is reasonable.

The types of properties Cushman & Wakefield handles

Office space includes corporate headquarters, professional suites, and flex office. Brokers help companies downsize, expand, or relocate, and help landlords fill vacant floors or negotiate renewal terms with existing tenants.

Industrial property covers warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities. These deals often involve long-term leases, heavy equipment, and logistics considerations. Brokers in this sector understand supply chain needs and help match tenants with locations near ports, highways, or rail.

Retail space includes storefronts, shopping centers, and mixed-use developments. Brokers negotiate tenant mix, foot traffic patterns, and co-tenancy clauses that let retailers exit if anchor tenants leave.

Investment properties are buildings or portfolios bought and sold as income-producing assets. Brokers provide cap rate analysis, tenant quality reports, and market forecasts to help investors decide whether to buy, hold, or sell.

What happens during a commercial lease or sale

A typical transaction begins when you contact a broker with your needs — you need 10,000 square feet of office space in the downtown area, or you own a warehouse and want to lease it. The broker searches their database and the market, identifies candidates, and arranges tours.

Once you find a property you like, the broker helps you understand the lease terms or purchase agreement. Commercial leases are far more complex than residential ones: they include renewal options, rent escalation clauses, tenant improvement allowances (money the landlord gives you to build out the space), operating expense pass-throughs, and default provisions.

The broker negotiates on your behalf, exchanges proposals with the landlord's broker or attorney, and works toward a signed letter of intent. After that, you and the landlord's legal teams finalize the lease or purchase agreement, environmental and structural inspections happen, financing is arranged, and the deal closes. The entire process typically takes two to four months, though it can be faster or slower depending on complexity and how quickly both sides move.

Regional offices and local market informed

Cushman & Wakefield operates through regional offices in major markets — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Tokyo, and dozens of others. Each office has brokers who know the local market intimately: which neighborhoods are growing, which landlords are difficult, what rents have actually closed at (not just asking prices), and which tenants are looking to expand.

This local knowledge is valuable because commercial real estate markets vary dramatically by geography. A 5,000-square-foot office lease in downtown San Francisco means something entirely different from the same space in a secondary market. Brokers in each region understand zoning, local economic trends, transportation access, and tenant preferences specific to that area.

The firm's size also means brokers can tap into a global network. If you are a multinational company looking to lease space in five countries, a Cushman & Wakefield broker in your home office can coordinate with colleagues abroad, ensuring consistent terms and aligned timelines across locations.

How to find and work with a Cushman & Wakefield broker

You can visit the Cushman & Wakefield website and search for offices in your region. Most regional sites list brokers by specialty — office, industrial, retail, or investment — and by the geographic areas they cover. You can also call the regional office directly and describe what you need; they will connect you with the right broker.

When you first speak with a broker, be clear about your timeline, budget, and requirements. If you are a tenant, explain how much space you need, what your lease budget is, and what neighborhoods or submarkets matter to you. If you are a seller or landlord, describe the property, your goals (maximize rent, find a long-term tenant, or sell quickly), and any constraints.

The broker will likely ask you to sign a representation agreement. Read it carefully — it spells out the broker's duties, the commission structure, and how long the agreement lasts. If you are unhappy with the broker's performance, you may be able to end the agreement early, but the terms vary.

Commissions and costs you should understand

Commercial real estate brokers earn commission, typically a percentage of the total deal value. For leases, this is often a percentage of the total rent over the lease term (so a $100,000-per-year lease over five years might generate a commission of 4 to 6 percent of $500,000). For sales, it is usually a percentage of the sale price.

Commission rates vary by market, property type, and deal size. Industrial deals might run 4 to 5 percent; office might be 5 to 6 percent; retail varies widely. Large deals sometimes negotiate lower rates. The commission is typically split between the landlord's broker and the tenant's broker, or between the seller's and buyer's brokers.

As a tenant or buyer, you do not pay the broker directly — the landlord or seller pays the commission from the proceeds. However, this cost is built into the rent or sale price you negotiate, so you are ultimately bearing part of it. This is why it matters to have a broker representing your interests; they push back on inflated asking prices and negotiate better terms that offset the commission cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a broker, or can I negotiate directly with a landlord?

You can negotiate directly, but most commercial landlords work through brokers because brokers bring deal flow and handle the transaction mechanics. If you go direct, you lose access to off-market listings and the landlord may assume you do not know the market, which weakens your negotiating position. Using a broker costs you nothing upfront and gives you professional representation.

What is the difference between Cushman & Wakefield and other large brokerages?

Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, Colliers, and JLL are the largest global commercial real estate firms. They have similar service offerings and geographic reach. The main differences are regional strength (one firm may dominate in certain markets), broker relationships, and company culture. Your choice often comes down to which broker you trust and which firm has the best local presence in your market.

Can a broker show me properties that are not listed yet?

Yes. Brokers often know about off-market deals before they are formally listed — a landlord might tell their broker they are considering leasing space before they advertise. A good broker with strong relationships can access these opportunities and bring them to you. This is one reason using a broker is valuable.

What if I disagree with the broker's valuation or rent estimate?

Ask the broker to show you the comparable sales or leases they used to arrive at the number. A professional broker will provide a market analysis with actual closed deals, not just asking prices. If you still disagree, you can get a second opinion from another broker or a commercial real estate appraiser, though appraisals cost money and are typically used for large or complex properties.

How long does a commercial real estate transaction typically take?

Most lease or sale transactions take two to four months from signed letter of intent to closing. This includes legal review, inspections, financing, and title work. straightforward deals with experienced parties can close faster; complex transactions with multiple stakeholders or financing contingencies take longer. Your broker should give you a realistic timeline based on the specific deal.