Savills Hires CBRE’s Jonathan Schifrin to Expand Its Life Sciences Team

Savills has hired Jonathan Schifrin to boost its life sciences team in New York City, the company announced Wednesday.

Schifrin, who was previously senior vice president at CBRE (CBRE), started his new role as a senior managing director at Savills earlier this month. He will use the position to “expand Savills’ life sciences capabilities and biotech tenant advisory services” across the New York City area, the firm said.

“I’m excited to join Savills and lead their life sciences efforts in New York City,” Schifrin said in a statement to Commercial Observer. “The firm’s integrated service platform and best-in-class technology, workplace and laboratory planning team allows me to provide more strategic, data-driven solutions to clients that will help them confidently navigate critical real estate decisions both today and as their business evolves.”

A spokesperson for CBRE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Schifrin worked at CBRE for seven years after a three-year stint as senior vice president at JLL and a two-year gig as senior vice president at Transwestern, according to his LinkedIn page. 

In those positions, he worked with tenants and landlords in the office and life sciences industry and completed more than 1.5 million square feet of leasing transactions, according to Savills’ announcement.

In his new role at Savills, Schifrin will work to “grow the firm’s tenant advisory services across the region” and “partner with local markets throughout the U.S. on new business development,” the firm said.

“New York is a burgeoning hub and critical market for life sciences with the city investing heavily in its development,” Austin Barrett, vice chairman and head of Savills life sciences team, said in a statement.

“As the supply of available lab space continues to grow, tenants seek expert guidance as they scale and seek new integrated lab workplace opportunities,” Barrett added. “Jonathan will collaborate with our national team to help life sciences companies leverage real estate to get products and therapies to patients quicker and more cost effectively.”

Schifrin graduated from Georgia’s Emory University and is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York and the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association, according to CBRE.

Isabelle Durso can be reached at idurso@commercialobserver.com.