JLL announced Tuesday that commercial real estate veteran Michael Colacino has joined the firm as president, tri-state brokerage. Colacino will be based in Manhattan and will lead corporate brokerage and consulting services to further strengthen the firm’s role as a strategic real estate advisor.
Colacino will report to Peter Riguardi, chairman and president, New York Region, JLL, and work in partnership with Stephen Schlegel, chief operating officer for New York tri-state.
A former president at Savills Studley, where he managed one of the largest tenant representation practices in the U.S., Colacino joined JLL from SquareFoot, a tech-driven real estate company where he served as CEO.
“Michael is a highly regarded market expert who will play an essential role as we continue to focus JLL brokerage services to provide clients with sophisticated real estate solutions in an evolving market,” Riguardi said. “His deep experience and relationship-driven leadership will enhance our ability to work quickly and efficiently to achieve our clients’ goals.”
“Michael’s deep understanding of owner and occupier priorities, complemented by his expertise in technology, further positions JLL as the leading provider of commercial real estate consulting services in the city,” Schlegel added. “He will be a tremendous resource to both our internal team and our clients.”
Colacino has over 30 years industry experience, starting at Studley in 1991 following a 10-year career as a systems designer. He led a management buyout of the firm from founder Julien Studley before it was acquired by London-based Savills in 2014. He founded proptech investment company Haiku Partners in 2019 before joining SquareFoot as president.
As a broker, Colacino was responsible for securing multiple landmark deals, including Time Warner’s move to the Time Warner Center and later to Hudson Yards, while directing the strategic growth of the Savills U.S. operations. He served as an adviser to leading corporations, such as NBC, Microsoft and Credit Agricole, law firms, including Pillsbury Winthrop, Cadwalader, Covington & Burling, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, and Freshfields. He also completed multiple transactions across the country for corporate clients such as Microsoft, CNA Insurance and 24/7 Media.
Colacino graduated cum laude from Harvard College. He has a master’s in real estate from New York University, where he graduated first in his class. He also studied operations research and statistics at NYU’s Stern School of Business.
“JLL has always been highly regarded for its real estate consulting services,” Colacino said. “It is a privilege to join JLL. Our goal is to enhance JLL’s position as a trusted adviser focused on helping clients make the best decisions about their strategic real estate goals.”
