JLL Focused on Driving Growth on the Eastside

Seattle, 24 July, 2019 – JLL, a leading real estate and investment management firm, has designated Chris Hughes as the Eastside Brokerage Lead, to drive experienced talent and new growth to the company’s Bellevue office.

Due to growing opportunities in the market, JLL is increasing efforts to expand its Eastside presence through the active recruitment of top brokers and aggressive pursuit of new owners, investors and corporate clients. In addition to adding market share with new clients, there will also be a heightened focus on existing clients looking to expand their presence to the Eastside from other markets.

 “We see a huge opportunity for the Eastside and we want to be a part of it. Just like we’ve done in Seattle and Portland in recent years, we’re doubling down on our commitment to the Eastside market,” said Joe Smurdon, JLL’s Pacific Northwest Market Director. “Even prior to the announcements about technology companies flocking to the Eastside earlier this year, we decided we’re here for the long haul and will continue to move forward in accelerating our growthin this market. Coming off the heels of our recent acquisition of HFF, and the addition of nearly 35 new team members across the region, we’re in a really good position to  bring even more new talent on.

“I am looking forward to being part of something that will be a major market changer in the next few years,” said Chris. “The Eastside market is still evolving, but its momentum over the past few years isn’t showing any signs of slowing. Office vacancy in the Bellevue CBD is at 3.9 percent and demand isn’t slowing down. People are already taking spaces, and in some cases entire buildings, that won’t be available until 2023. We’ve had a presence in the Eastside market for over 25 years and have been involved with many of the largest projects that helped put Bellevue on the map. We’re excited to be aggressively adding people, resources, services and tools that will best support our clients and prospective clients through the next wave of growth in our market.”

With shifting demographics and growing populations in the area, new developments and better transportation systems in the foreseeable future, JLL is preparing to dedicate more of its time and resources to helping their clients as well as new business opportunities find space on the Eastside.