Celebrating 50 Years of Innovation: Broll’s Legacy of Leadership in Real Estate

From managing a single block of six flats in Cape Town – Chas Bina Hof, Parow South – in 1975 to becoming Africa’s leading full-spectrum real estate services provider, Broll Property Group has come a long way. As it marks its 50th anniversary, Broll celebrates five decades of excellence, innovation, and leadership in the real estate sector. Throughout its journey, the company has set industry benchmarks while continuously evolving to meet the diverse needs of dynamic markets across the continent, each with its unique context, culture, and demands.


“Celebrating 50 years of Broll is truly a testament to a legacy of leadership in the real estate sector,” says Malcolm Horne, Group CEO of Broll Property Group. “Our success is a reflection of our dedicated teams and strong relationships. We are committed to preserving this legacy while continuing to lead and show the way forward.
 
Despite South Africa’s economic challenges, the company is optimistically well-positioned to capitalise on significant opportunities in real estate, driven by renewed investor confidence, strategic industry partnerships, and a dynamic market landscape. Last year, Broll joined forces with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to drive transformative change in South Africa’s construction sector, focusing on advancing gender equality and empowering women in construction (WiC). Aligned with CIDB’s ERWIC (Empowering Women in Construction) framework, this collaboration is committed to increasing female representation in leadership and specialised roles within the industry. The partnership aims to provide sustainable opportunities for women through training, mentorship, and networking while fostering the growth of women-owned businesses within the construction and property sectors. Broll and CIDB are dedicated to creating real economic opportunities and measuring success through tangible outcomes. Together, Broll and CIDB are exploring innovative ways to ensure that women play a central role in shaping the future of South Africa’s construction landscape, driving a diverse, inclusive, and excellence-driven industry.
 
In addition, Broll is a key strategic partner and host for the inaugural Public Works and Infrastructure Summit next month, representing Minister Dean Macpherson with the Council for the Built Environment (CBE). This summit underscores Broll’s leadership and commitment to supporting the built environment sector.
 
Broll Property Group delivers a comprehensive suite of services, including property and shopping centre management, auctions and sales, integrated facilities management, property broking, occupier services, and valuation and advisory services. With a diverse portfolio spanning 1,400 clients across Property Management, Integrated Facilities Management, and Occupier Services in both the private and public sectors, Broll oversees an impressive 62 million square meters of managed space. The group manages 17 listed funds and 449 shopping malls, solidifying its position as Africa’s largest mall management company.
 
Broll manages real estate assets valued at $3.7 billion, engages with 30,000 tenants, and collaborates with over 8,200 suppliers. As the preferred choice for listed funds in Africa, Broll leads the industry, consistently delivering asset performance 15% above the market average. The company continues to invest in over 2,500 skilled professionals, proprietary technologies, and operational systems to ensure service excellence. Broll’s commitment to innovation is evident in its adoption of cutting-edge technology. The company leads the revolution in real estate through its proprietary platform, b#, which offers real-time analytics, strategic insights, and operational efficiency, enabling clients to manage their portfolios better and respond to evolving market conditions.
 
“As we reflect on our 50-year journey of impact in the market, we are in awe of the legacy of leadership Broll has built, grounded in the pillars of innovation, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to professional services,” says Horne. “These principles will continue to guide us beyond 2025, ensuring that Broll remains a leader in real estate for generations to come.” A prime example of Broll’s impact is their recent appointment as the strategic partner to Grit Real Estate Income Group Ltd, supporting its ongoing efforts to optimise operations and enhance efficiencies. The London Stock Exchange and Stock Exchange of Mauritius-listed firm, a Mauritius-based Pan-African investment and management company, appointed Broll to manage Grit’s assets, valued at approximately USD 812 million. This collaboration is expected to deliver cost savings of around USD 1 million annually, allowing Grit to sharpen its focus on impact real estate development and asset management initiatives. Additionally, Grit will leverage Broll’s extensive database, regional footprint, systems, and expertise to accelerate vacancy absorption and strengthen portfolio rental collections. Grit Founder & Chief Executive Officer Bronwyn Knight said: “This partnership unlocks meaningful economies of scale and, importantly, finds a way for Grit to entirely focus on impact real estate development and asset management as part of its Grit 2.0 strategy.
 
Horne highlights Broll’s enduring impact: “Last year, Broll Nigeria celebrated 20 years of excellence, reinforcing our long-standing presence across the continent. Our teams manage Africa’s three largest government pension funds, demonstrating major institutions’ trust in us. Through the Broll Academy, we train thousands of real estate professionals, ensuring the next generation has the skills to thrive. For 50 years, we have structured markets, created jobs, empowered communities, and developed local talent, Which is our legacy. And as we look ahead, Broll remains committed to building successful businesses in developing markets by embedding ourselves into different contexts and mobilising professional real estate services that drive economic growth, create job opportunities, empower communities, and develop local talent across Africa.”
 
The company’s strategy emphasises the essential role of leadership in driving the adoption of next-generation technologies. While younger employees are generally more tech-savvy, Broll’s strategy is to activate all tiers of the business and its clients’ ecosystems to champion these changes. Malcolm notes that shifting mindsets within the leadership ranks is key to fostering an environment where technology is embraced as a strategic asset rather than viewed as a threat.
 
“Technology in real estate is not about replacing jobs but about enhancing efficiency and empowering the workforce,” Malcolm points out. He highlights smart facilities management systems as an example of a tech solution that has improved Broll’s operations. By allowing for better resource allocation and enhanced tenant experiences, these systems have streamlined processes and elevated service delivery across Broll’s portfolio.
 
Broll’s Founder & Chairman, Jonathan Broll, reflects on the company’s enduring success, saying, “This is how we’ve continued to leave a legacy of leadership: by prioritising the development of world-class leaders. We are hugely proud of the number of staff who have grown with the business over the years across Africa. Our commitment to promoting from within ensures that our legacy remains in the work we do and the leaders we cultivate for the future.”
 
As Africa’s economic potential grows, Broll is strategically positioned to lead the charge. “Together, Broll will embrace the future and remain at the forefront of this exciting, trailblazing journey,” says Broll. As the company celebrates its 50-year legacy, Broll is focused on its next chapter, leveraging technology and expert leadership to meet the evolving needs of the real estate industry. With a commitment to driving sustained growth, Broll continues to deliver exceptional value to clients across Africa.