JLL Picks up Project and Construction Management Firm JCL in Manila

Global real estate consultancy JLL is boosting its operations in the Philippines by scooping up a Manila-based project and construction management firm with over 40 staff.

JLL has acquired JCL International, which is led by senior partners John Morgan and Calum Swinnerton, the company announced. Founded in 2002, JCL has build up a team of architects, engineers, and construction personnel that has undertaken over 2.8 million square metres of industrial, commercial and corporate projects, including new builds and fit-outs.

During an initial transition phase the Philippine company will operate as “JCL International – A part of the JLL network.” Morgan and Swinnerton will report to Henning Badenhop, JLL’s managing director of project and development services for Southeast Asia.

Local Firm’s Track Record Stretches to Dubai

“With our complementary service offerings and shared commitment to client service excellence, this is an outstanding fit for both companies,” commented Anthony Couse, CEO of JLL Asia Pacific in a statement on the deal. “For JLL, the acquisition will significantly expand our existing project and construction platform, giving us the ability to offer our clients even more services.”

“With JCL’s specialist expertise and strong reputation, we will gain greater access to new corporate and investor clients in the country’s core growth industries, specifically hospitality, industrial, data centre, retail, residential, healthcare and outsourcing,” he added.

JCL has undertaken project and construction management contracts worldwide including the Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Suites Residence in Makati, Manila; a Citibank campus building in Bonifacio Global City; and Dubai Jumeirah Palm Island, a man-made resort island with 1,400 villas in the United Arab Emirates.

JLL Expands Its Asia Footprint

New York Stock Exchange-listed JLL has over 37,000 employees in Asia Pacific, across 96 offices in 16 countries. The Chicago-based real estate consulting giant posted revenue of $7.9 billion last year and completed about $170 billion in investment sales, acquisitions and finance transactions.

In 2016, JLL added 180 new team members across nine offices in Asia by picking up Singapore-based interior design firm PDM to expand its design, construction and fit-out capabilities in the region.