JLL has expanded its services in Ireland with the acquisition of Dublin-based specialist residential agency Guardian Property Asset Management.

JLL has expanded its services in Ireland with the acquisition of Dublin-based specialist residential agency Guardian Property Asset Management.

Founded by Conor O’Gallagher and Colm Byrne in 2009, Guardian has a 10-person team and transacted over €500 mln in the Dublin market over the last 12 months.

'JLL’s leading position in the commercial market in Ireland has grown rapidly over the past 50 years. This combination with Guardian Property Asset Management and expansion into the residential sector is therefore a logical next step for us and completes our 360 degree service offering,' commented John Moran, managing director of JLL Ireland.

Guy Grainger, JLL’s EMEA Management Board sponsor for Residential Services, added: 'We have seen exciting growth in our Residential business across the world’s major hub cities in recent years, driven by our ability to link international investment demand and supply, and a particularly vibrant market in central London. The close affinities between the real estate markets in the UK and Ireland make Dublin a natural next step for us in further expanding our residential capabilities.'

The acquisition takes immediate effect, with the Guardian team relocating into the JLL Dublin office later this month and a phased rebrand being completed by early 2016.