Bob Knakal Leaves JLL

JLL has let go Bob Knakal, a top New York City commercial real estate broker, The Real Deal reported. As Senior Managing Director, Knakal led the New York Private Capital Group.

The news comes just days after the New York Times published a profile story on Knakal, on Feb. 11. The article focused on his professional path, starting from his beginnings in Manhattan in 1984 and highlighting subsequent major deals. The piece also provided insights into how the investment sales broker works.

According to Commercial Observer the feature story was not in line with the brokerage firm’s current business model, which puts the client first and the company second. The individual broker comes last.

Bob Knakal, together with Paul Massey, founded Massey Knakal Realty Services in 1988, after Knakal left CB Richard Ellis. The boutique brokerage firm, known for midsize office, retail and apartment building sales, was then acquired by Cushman & Wakefield in 2014 for $100 million. Knakal acted as Chairman of New York Investment Sales at the company until 2018, when he was terminated a few days before the end of his contract. Knakal joined the JLL team that same year.