JLL has made a significant stride in its ambition to compete in the super-prime London residential market after merging with WA Ellis.
The 146-year-old boutique agency specialises in lettings in Chelsea, Kensington and Knightsbridge.
While JLL has established a strong residential development business thanks to its 2011 acquisition of King Sturge, it has yet to gain a foothold in the leasing market for high-end homes, which is dominated by Knight Frank and Savills.
WA Ellis employs 43 staff, of whom six are equity partners.
The company’s office in Brompton Road, SW3, will be retained.
Andrew Frost, head of residential at JLL, said: “The prime central London market is very specialised and not easy to access, so this merger will increase JLL’s exposure in the area significantly.
“This is a tremendous commitment to the expansion of our residential business and we are very ambitious.”
JLL’s move follows that of rival CBRE, which acquired EA Shaw in 2012.
joanna.bourke@estatesgazette.com
