Founded in 2013, our market leading, multi-disciplinary advisory team provide total property solutions throughout the entire commercial real estate lifecycle.
With over 130 years combined experience and dedicated business lines, we pride ourselves on our Director led service which ensures every client benefits from our wealth of industry experience and technical expertise. Our knowledge, agility, innovation and team ethic makes us unique and sets us apart from our competitors.
Entrepreneurial in our approach, Realest offers insight and creativity in providing bespoke advice and integrated solutions for landlords, investors, developers, occupiers and various public sector bodies both locally and nationally. Our reputation is built on delivering a first-class service, creating value for our clients and driving success.
...I just wanted to thank you all for your tremendous work in achieving the reverse premium especially having access to all info, draft and negotiate remotely. A fantastic result and so please pass on my thanks to your teams
Andrew S Garard
Meggitt PLC
Our Ethos
Understanding your needs
Proactive probing for value added opportunities
Developing trusted relationships through innovation and client first advice
Fostering our Director-led team ethic to provide advantageous, timely and informed real estate decisions
Market leading deal and consultancy execution
Realest Property Cycle
What Goes Around Comes Around
The Realest Story
2013
2013
Realest is formed by Stuart Cook, former Senior Director and Head of Office at BNP Paribas Real Estate, Southampton
2015
The business is expanded and fully established with the joining of Robert Haynes, Steven Williams and David Ferriman, all previously Senior Directors at BNP Paribas Real Estate, Southampton
2017
Realest moves to new offices at Vanbrugh House, Hedge End, Southampton
2019
Winner of Industrial Agents Society “Deal of the Year 250,000 sq ft+ for Prospero Ansty, Coventry - Meggitt PLC - 480,000 sq ft HQ Acquisition
2020
Adrian Whitfield joins Realest from Lambert Smith Hampton as Head of Industrial & Logistics Agency
2020
Guy Jones joins the business from Hellier Langston as an expansion to the Lease Advisory department
2020
Simon Nicholls is recruited as a Consultant to the Building Surveying department, joining from JLL where he was Head of Building Consultancy
2021
Further expansion of the Building Surveying team when Ben Johnson joins as a Consultant to the Building Surveying department, joining from CBRE
2022
Stuart Cook retires and is retained by Realest as a Consultant
2022
Simon Nicholls becomes a permanent Director of the business
2022
Winner of CoStar Office Award for Most Active Single Branch Agency (sq ft and number) – South Coast Market
2023
Winner of CoStar Office Award for Most Active Single Branch Agency (sq ft and number) – South Coast Market
2023
Runner Up (3rd) of CoStar Industrial Award for Most Active Single Branch Agency (sq ft) – South East Market
2023
Realest moves to a new office at 1632 Parkway, Solent Business Park
2024
Winner of CoStar Office Award for Most Active Single Branch Agency (sq ft and number) – South Coast Market
2024
Winner of CoStar Industrial Award for Most Active Single Branch Agency (sq ft) – South East Market
2024
Winner of CoStar Impact Award – ‘Lease of the Year’ South East 2024 for our acquisition of 75,000 sq ft offices for a retained client
2024
Winner of ‘Property Deal of the Year’ at South Coast Property Awards 2024 for the agency double disposals of Units 1 & 2 Strategic Park, Southampton (a combined total of 127,049 sq ft). Our building consultancy team also project managed the refurbishment of both units
2025
Winner of the CoStar 2025 Annual Award for the 4th year in a row for the South Coast Office Market “Most Active Single Branch Agency” for sq ft transacted.
2025
Lauren Udall joins Realest’s Agency team from Keygrove Chartered Surveyors as Director of Business Space
"This was a complex acquisition with multiple stakeholders to manage, our time line was tight and we had to adopt innovative ways to achieve a design build and lease back vehicle to meet our goals, Realest formed an integral part of the acquisition team and drawing on their extensive knowledge and negotiation skills were key to the success of the project to this stage."
Jonathan JonesGroup Property Director, Meggitt PLC
"Realest have acted for TVBC on various professional projects in the
past, from purchase advice (Stuart Cook), building structures advice
(Rob Haynes). Adrian before moving across to Realest successfully
undertook the letting of a 50,000 sq ft new build warehouse on
behalf of the Council’s rejuvenation partnership on the Walworth
business park."
Simon EllisTest Valley Borough Council
“Adrian has acted for several of the funds on our various industrial holdings on the south coast and
has consistently secured improved lease terms,
whilst minimising void periods.”
Matt BeevorCBRE Investment Management
“Craigard have worked with Steve and
Adrian for a number of years now, their
hands on approach, coupled with extensive
market knowledge continues to provide
successful results.”
David FosterCraigard
"Rob was introduced to me shortly after a large fire at one of our industrial estates in Southampton. Rob assumed total responsibility for the project, not only with the construction side but also with liaison with loss adjustors, insurers and the tenants. The rebuild was completed on time and to the agreed budget and, as a result, Rob has helped us with other construction and dilapidation matters elsewhere within our portfolio.
We are using Rob on future matters and would have no hesitation in recommending him to other clients."
Simon BerryBerwen
"We have worked with Rob for 14 years and he has completed numerous dilapidation inspections and subsequent negotiations on our behalf; at the last count he has completed 12 terminal dilapidations for us. We have always found Rob to be knowledgeable, professional and very approachable. The way he tackles issues has, we are sure, helped to achieve some fantastic outcomes for us.
We would have no hesitation in recommending Rob and will be using him going forward."
Nick GouldenGoulden Properties
"Both Adrian and Steve have acted for us in a thoroughly professional manner for several years on disposals and acquisitions. I would take pleasure in recommending their services to others"
Tom LampardLokn’Store
“Adrian and his Realest colleagues have always provided an excellent coordinated team approach resulting in successful agency and lease advisory solutions.”
Matthew DoyleValeo Capital
“Adrian has acted for the fund for several years on our estate in Hedge End both securing new tenants and lease renewals on improved terms.”
Will KellyLegal & General
“Forelle Estates would have no hesitation in recommending Adrian and Steve who are well known throughout the market locally and we also have an excellent working relationship with Robert Haynes who has successfully project managed several property refurbishments on our behalf.”
Andy GoodridgeForelle Estates
“Steve and Adrian have worked for me on our South Coast projects and their knowledge and expertise in the Solent and wider South Coast market is second to none. I would have no hesitation in recommending Steve, Adrian and the Realest team.”
David McGouganDevelopment Director : South East, Panattoni
“The lease for my property ended at the beginning of April 2020. Despite trying to find new tenants for several months beforehand, we had no success as at the end of May. It was of course a difficult time with the onslaught of the pandemic and lockdown and all of the associated restrictions. Following advice from my solicitors I appointed another party, Realest and Adrian Whitfield, as joint agents at the end of May. Their proactivity, a website which included internal and external aerial drone footage and a 3D virtual tour which I understand was relatively unknown outside London, resulted in not only finding a tenant at our desired rental, but also with no rent free period and a completion executed by the end of July. This was quite a result. I would recommend Realest on the strength of my experience.”
Andrew CooperBarrelmaker Properties
"Very impressed with your genuine customer care."
Dr Stephen RoweManaging Director, DEKRA
“Great letting & turnaround on Units 3 & 4 Lower William Street, Southampton. Best rent on the estate, no void period & no money spent on a refurb, a 10/10 result.”
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Property Marketing Specialists