Singapore’s skyline is more than just an architectural wonder; it is living proof of the city’s status as Asia’s top gateway for global business, finance and innovation. In this competitive market, choosing the right commercial space, whether it’s a corporate headquarters in Marina Bay, a logistics warehouse in Jurong, or a retail flagship on Orchard Road, is an important strategic choice. Commercial real estate agencies in Singapore do a lot more than just rent out space. They also provide important information about market trends, help people deal with complicated rules and regulations, set up complicated investment and occupancy strategies and act as important middlemen in some of the most valuable property deals in the world. Their knowledge helps multinational companies, institutional investors and growing businesses make the most of their physical presence in a market with limited land, high prices and constant demand.
The needs for commercial real estate in Singapore are very varied and complex. The growing financial and professional services sector keeps needing Grade A office space with the latest technology and a favorable reputation for being environmentally friendly. At the same time, Singapore’s status as a major logistics and maritime hub boosts the demand for high end industrial and warehouse space. The retail industry is changing quickly with the rise of experiential destinations and omnichannel strategies. This means that agencies need to know a lot about their customers. The investment sales market for shophouses, strata-titled offices and whole development sites has also gotten busier because of the rise of family offices and other types of capital. This complex environment needs agencies that do more than just handle transactions; they also need to be consultative partners that offer research, valuation, project management and portfolio strategy on a global scale.
The Most Important Parts of Singapore’s Commercial Real Estate Market
Several long-lasting pillars support the strength and sophistication of Singapore’s commercial real estate market. The most important thing is that the city-state is politically and economically stable, which brings in safe haven capital and keeps investors happy for a long time. The situation is made better by a clear and well-regulated legal system that makes property rights and transaction processes clear, which lowers the risk for investors from other countries. Additionally, Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority carefully balances conservation with development in its strategic land use planning. The result ensures a steady, managed supply of prime commercial land through government land sales sites while keeping the city’s unique character.
Technology and data analytics are also critical parts of the market. Leading agencies use their platforms to give real-time market data, virtual tours that feel real and advanced modeling for space planning and investment underwriting. The growing importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards has become a major market driver. This is especially true for buildings that have the Green Mark, wellness amenities and sustainable operations. These are all things that now directly affect asset value, tenant attraction and compliance with the law. Lastly, because Singapore is the gateway to Southeast Asia, its top agencies need to have the best regional networks to help clients with portfolio strategies in emerging growth markets from Vietnam to Indonesia. The best agencies in Singapore are those that have both local knowledge and connections to other regions.
The 5 Best Commercial Real Estate Agencies in Singapore
The five most important companies in Singapore’s commercial real estate market are listed below. We picked these companies because they have the biggest market share in key areas, the most transactional knowledge, the best research and advisory services and are known for being leaders in shaping the city’s built environment.
- Cushman & Wakefield
- Savills Singapore
- Knight Frank
- Colliers
- PropNex Commercial
1. Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield is a global leader in commercial real estate services and has been the top company in Singapore for a long time. The company offers a full range of services for the entire life cycle of a property, but it is especially excellent at office leasing, investment sales and valuation. Its team of experts helps many of the world’s biggest technology and financial services companies figure out how to occupy core markets like Marina Bay, Raffles Place and the city fringe areas. The agency is just as tough on the capital markets side, where it handles many of the country’s biggest commercial asset deals.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/singapore
- Singapore Office: 9 Raffles Place, #21-02 Republic Plaza, Singapore 048619
- Global Network: Over 400 offices in 60 countries.
- Local History: A long established leader in the Singapore market for decades.
Awards and Honors
Multiple industry publications have consistently ranked it as the best place to rent an office in Singapore. It often wins “Best in Class” awards for its research, valuation and overall advisory services.
Important Service Areas
- The company holds an unmatched market share and actively participates in Grade A office transactions, specializing in office leasing and tenant representation.
- Capital Markets & Investment Sales: The best advisor for selling big commercial properties, hotels and development sites.
- Valuation & Advisory: Provides trusted valuations for financing, M&A and portfolio accounting.
- Agency and Project Management: Manages complicated fit-out and development projects for businesses and institutions.
Reputation in the Market
Seen as the most powerful force in the core office and investment markets. Clients see C&W as the “go-to” for important transactions because of its market knowledge, large network and ability to get things done.
2. Savills Singapore
Savills Singapore is a big player in the market. It is known for its excellent research skills, strong knowledge of retail and industrial leasing and a very busy investment sales team. The company has a strong global brand and sharp local knowledge, which helps it serve a wide range of clients, including sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors and well known local landlords. Savills is known for being a leader in thought by publishing regular, in-depth market reports that are required reading for people in the industry.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://www.savills.com.sg/
- Singapore Office: 6 Battery Road, #39-01, Singapore 049909
- Global Network: Over 600 offices and associates worldwide.
- Local Presence: A well-established, multi-service operation with deep roots in Singapore.
Awards and Honors
Often recognized for its excellent market research and ranked as one of the best firms for leasing in the retail and industrial sectors. The investment sales team is always one of the busiest in the market.
Important Service Areas
- Research & Consultancy: Writes authoritative quarterly and thematic reports on all types of property.
- Retail Leasing and Advisory: We have a great track record with top retail landlords and international food and beverage brands.
- Industrial & Logistics: A major player in the high-end industrial, warehouse and business park markets.
- Investment Sales: Handles a lot of transactions for commercial, residential and mixed-use properties.
Reputation in the Market
Thought of as a smart and very capable agency. Clients like Savills because it gives them strategic advice, data-driven insights and a favorable balance of strength in both the leasing and capital markets.
3. Knight Frank
Knight Frank is known for high-end real estate and is a top agency for luxury commercial properties, high-value investment sales and consulting for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) and family offices. The company uses its well-known global brand and strong ties in the private capital market. In Singapore, it focuses on prime office buildings, conservation shophouses, exclusive strata-titled units and sales of development sites. It often works with the most private and valuable parts of the market.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://www.knightfrank.com.sg/
- Singapore Office: 8 Cross Street, #23-01/02/03, Singapore 048424
- Global Network: Over 384 offices across 51 territories.
- Brand Positioning: Associated with luxury, exclusivity and high-end advisory.
Awards and Honors
It consistently ranks among the top advisors for commercial property and investment sales. The company is well-known for its expertise in high-end and niche real estate.
Important Service Areas
- Prime Commercial Leasing: Focus on high-end office buildings and small commercial spaces.
- Sales of Capital Markets and Development Sites: A key advisor on major deals, especially those involving private capital and developers.
- Luxury Advisory & Valuations: A specialized service for UHNWIs that includes buying, managing and valuing unique assets.
- Asia-Pacific Research: Gives high-level strategic information about the whole region.
Reputation in the Market
Seen as the best agency for high-end assets and picky private clients. Its brand is crucial for making big deals and offering personalized, private advice.
4. Colliers
Colliers is a global agency that is always growing and changing. In Singapore, it is known for its entrepreneurial culture, strong focus on industry and logistics and excellent project management services. The company has made a lot of progress in increasing its market share, especially in the capital markets, office services and industrial and logistics sectors. People often talk about how flexible and responsive Colliers is to its clients, which makes it a strong competitor, especially in the fast-paced real estate sectors that are driven by technology and industry.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://www.colliers.com
- Singapore Office: 1 Raffles Place, #45-01 One Raffles Place, Singapore 048616
- Global Network: Operations in 66 countries.
Awards and Honors
Quickly moving up in industry rankings, with a lot of recognition in the industrial & logistics and project management fields. The company is renowned for its aggressive growth strategy and its ability to hire talented individuals.
Important Service Areas
- Industrial & Logistics Services: A top company in warehousing, logistics and high-end industrial space.
- Office Leasing and Advisory: A growing force in representing both landlords and business tenants.
- Project Management and Workplace Solutions: We are excellent at managing corporate fit-outs, relocations and development projects.
- Capital Markets: Works to sell investments in commercial and industrial assets.
Reputation in the Market
Seen as a flexible, driven and customer-focused competitor in the market. People really like it because it knows a lot about the industrial sector and has a hands-on, solutions-focused approach to customer service.
5. PropNex Commercial
PropNex Commercial is the business side of PropNex Limited, which is Singapore’s biggest real estate agency by sales force. It brings a unique, data-driven and high-volume approach to the market, using the large agent network and proprietary technology of its parent company. It has had a big effect on strata-titled commercial and industrial property transactions, shophouse sales and helping small business owners, even though it is strong in all areas. Its model combines a wide range of markets with quick and easy transaction processing.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://www.propnex.com/commercial/
- Headquarters: 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, HDB Hub, East Wing #10-01, Singapore 310480
- Parent Company: PropNex Limited, listed on the SGX Mainboard.
- Key Differentiator: Largest sales force network in Singapore.
Awards and Honors
It boasts the highest transaction volume for strata-titled commercial units and is a significant player in the HDB commercial and shophouse markets. Known for its market share and use of technology.
Important Service Areas
- Strata Commercial & Industrial Sales/Leasing: Unmatched volume and activity in the sale and lease of smaller commercial units.
- Shophouse Investment Sales is a top middleman in the busy shophouse investment market.
- SME Business Space Advisory helps local business owners find factory, shop, or office space.
- Digital Marketing & Data: Uses powerful online platforms and data tools to sell properties and reach a large number of buyers and renters.
Reputation in the Market
Thought to be the most powerful and effective player in the commercial real estate market for small and medium sized businesses and the general public. It is valued for its wide reach, low fees and ability to quickly handle a lot of transactions.
The commercial real estate market in Singapore is a tiered and highly specialized environment, with each of the top five companies excelling in different areas. Cushman & Wakefield is the biggest player in prime office leasing and institutional investments, while PropNex Commercial has a strong hold on the strata and SME market. Together, these agencies make it possible for Singapore’s economy to have so many big and valuable transactions. Picking the right agency partner depends on making sure that your needs are exactly the same, whether you need a global headquarters, want to buy a conservation shophouse, lease a logistics facility, or buy a strata office unit.
These agencies are at the forefront of advising on the future of workspaces, retail experiences, logistics infrastructure and investment trends as Singapore continues to grow into a smart, sustainable and resilient global city. Their job goes beyond being a broker; they are also strategic consultants, market makers and important links between capital and occupancy strategy. If you want to start, grow, or improve your commercial real estate presence in Singapore and the surrounding area, working with one of these market leaders is a key step toward reaching your strategic goals in one of the most competitive and dynamic property markets in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the usual ways that people get paid for commercial leasing in Singapore?
Usually, commissions are based on a percentage of the total rental value over the length of the lease. For tenant representation, the standard rate is usually
2. What are the differences between office space in grades A, B and C?
Grade A: Prime, centrally located buildings with high quality finishes, modern systems and strong sustainability credentials, like the Marina Bay Financial Centre. Grade B: Buildings that are of excellent quality but older or further from the center of town than Grade A. They often offer excellent value. Grade C: Older buildings that are still usable and have basic amenities, usually for people who are on a budget. B and Grade C office space?
Grade A: Prime, centrally located, high-quality buildings with superior finishes, modern systems and strong sustainability credentials (e.g., Marina Bay Financial Centre). Grade B: Excellent quality buildings, but older or less centrally located than Grade A, often offering value. Grade C: Functional, older buildings with basic amenities, typically for cost-sensitive occupiers.
3. How important is it to have a Green Mark certification for sustainability when renting office space?
Critical. Because of their ESG commitments, many multinational companies now require Green Mark certification, especially Platinum or Gold. Sustainable buildings often rent for more, have more people living in them and may get help from the government.
4. What are the most important things for a foreign company to consider when renting commercial space?
Important things to think about are knowing the rules about foreign ownership (there are usually none for commercial space), planning for stamp duties and GST.
5. What does the future hold for commercial real estate in Singapore?
The market is split in two. There is still a lot of demand for prime, ESG-compliant office and logistics properties and rents are stable. The retail industry is changing, with a focus on the customer experience. Assets that are older and not prime have more problems. Long-term fundamentals are still strong because there isn’t much supply and Singapore’s economy is expected to stay stable. It is bifurcated. Prime, ESG-compliant office and logistics assets remain in strong demand with firm rents. The retail sector is undergoing transformation, focusing on experience. Older, non-prime assets face more challenges. Long-term fundamentals remain strong due to limited supply and Singapore’s stable economic outlook.
6. Should I hire one agency or several to help me sell or rent my property?
Sole or exclusive mandate is standard and recommended for most commercial properties. It makes sure that one agency is fully responsible, puts money into marketing and plans viewings and offers in a smart way. An open or non-exclusive listing can make negotiations less organized and less focused.
