Savills expands European network with Italian acquisition

International real estate advisor Savills has strengthened its European residential network with the acquisition of Beliving in Italy, a real estate company specialising in residential sales and rentals.

Founded by Danilo Orlando in 2013 and a Savills associate since 2017, Beliving has particular expertise in the new build residential market and handles the onsite sales for Fo.Ro Living, the project designed by Mario Cucinella in Rome, and Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence, one of Italy’s largest regeneration projects.

The acquisition, part of Savills residential expansion across Europe, brings a new service line offering to the Savills Italy business which already includes hospitality & leisure, office leasing, capital markets, industrial & logistics, retail, building & project consultancy, valuation & advisory, and property management.

The Beliving offices in Rome, Milan and Sicily will be fully branded and operated as Savills and the existing Beliving team will be retained with Orlando taking the position of head of residential, Savills Italy.

Angus Potterton, ceo, Savills Italy, said: “Savills has been operating in Italy for over 30 years and we have built a reputation as one of the leading real estate companies in the market. This acquisition means we can now provide our clients with a full service right across the real estate spectrum, from the buying and selling of residential property to operational capital markets and institutional investment.”

Popular location

Danilo Orlando, head of residential, Savills Italy, said, “We are extremely proud to begin a new chapter with Savills. This move is the natural evolution of the already-existing relation between our firms and will further strengthen our commitment to delivering outstanding real estate experience and exceptional value to our clients. We are thrilled about the opportunity to accelerate our growth plan, both in the new development and residential business lines, and expand our footprint further in Italy.” 

Justin Marking, head of global residential, Savills, said, “We have worked with Danilo and his team for a number of years, most recently in the successful sales and marketing of the magnificent former tobacco factory in Florence, and the country has always been a popular location for our international client base. Joining forces will help to increase our presence there and provide unrivalled access to both Italy’s major centres and wonderful countryside, as well as complementing our existing commercial business in Italy incredibly well.”