Savills has entered into a joint venture with leading German real estate agent Thomas Zabel as part of its expansion strategy in the European residential market.
Working with the global residential team in London, Thomas will focus on the German residential market from Savills offices in Germany.
Thomas has more than 25 years of experience in the German real estate industry. He founded his first consultancy, Zabel Property AG, in 1992. In 2016, Zabel Property was acquired by JLL and Thomas led JLL's German residential development team until 2020.
Justin Marking, head of global residential, Savills, said, “I am delighted that Thomas has joined Savills. He is the preeminent residential professional in Germany, a market that offers Savills huge opportunity in Europe's largest economy. Thomas will bring experience and knowledge to our European residential business as a whole.”
"In forming this joint venture with Savills, I am attracted by its unrivalled expertise in the international residential real estate market and, most importantly, its coordinated approach to building a leading global residential services platform. Overseas residential properties are becoming increasingly popular with German buyers. From modern city flats to alpine chalets, Savills has some of the most desirable international properties in the world in its portfolio. At the same time, Germany remains a very popular destination for international wealth”, says Thomas Zabel, managing director, Savills Residential Agency Germany.
“We are convinced that with this team, which combines both international and regional expertise specialising in high-end residential real estate, we will firmly establish ourselves as leaders in the residential real estate business,” says Marcus Lemli, CEO Germany and head of European investment, Savills.