Inside Our Global Network: Meet Steven Joseph of CBIZ Gibraltar

Every firm in the Exis Global network brings unique expertise to occupier clients around the world. This edition of Inside Our Global Network features Steven Joseph, Founder of CBIZ Gibraltar Real Estate Services, a Chicago-based advisory firm dedicated exclusively to tenant representation. 

Since 1998, Steven and his team have helped occupiers navigate complex real estate decisions with conflict-free advice and an integrated service model.

At a Glance

Founded in 1998, CBIZ Gibraltar Real Estate Services was built on a simple philosophy: represent occupiers on a 100% conflict-free basis. Shortly after its inception, the firm joined CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE: CBZ), giving clients access to the resources of a national professional services organization while maintaining the focus and responsiveness of a boutique advisory firm.

Headquartered in Chicago, the team serves clients across the United States, completing major transactions in cities including Washington, D.C., Boston, New York City, Denver, Minneapolis, and Providence. Their client base spans local businesses, national corporations, nonprofit organizations, financial and insurance firms, legal and professional services, technology companies, government entities, and research organizations.

Beyond Brokerage

CBIZ Gibraltar takes an integrated approach to occupier advisory services, providing clients with a single point of accountability throughout the real estate process.

Core capabilities include:

Workplace Solutions, including programming, design, construction, furniture procurement, and move management
Portfolio management and lease administration
Tax and operating expense (OpEx) audits
Tax incentive consulting through CBIZ’s in-house incentives team
Gibraltar Navigator, a proprietary client portal that compares market alternatives and financial scenarios in real time

Beyond these services, clients consistently value the firm’s conflict-free business model. CBIZ Gibraltar represents tenants exclusively, ensuring every recommendation is made solely in the client’s best interest. The team also prides itself on senior-level involvement throughout every engagement, combining rigorous financial modelling, integrated workplace solutions, and transparent project delivery without relying on multiple external vendors.

Inside the Firm

Experience, collaboration, and consistency define the CBIZ Gibraltar team.

Many team members have worked together for more than a decade, allowing projects to move efficiently while providing clients with consistent advice from start to finish. Rather than handing work off to junior brokers, senior professionals remain actively involved throughout each engagement.

Steven believes the firm’s greatest differentiator is its structure: a conflict-free, senior-led, and fully integrated advisory model that combines boutique client service with the resources of the CBIZ (NYSE) platform and the global Exis network of tenant-only advisors.

Making an Impact

Recent projects showcase the firm’s ability to deliver strategic, measurable results for occupier clients.

Leading Financial Services Firm | Chicago

CBIZ Gibraltar negotiated the relocation of a leading financial services firm’s 205,000-square-foot Chicago headquarters into a redeveloped CBD office tower. The transaction became Chicago’s largest office lease of 2025 and secured a $40 million tenant improvement allowance, significant free rent, and prominent building signage.

National Technology Company

By leveraging a credible relocation strategy, the team helped a national technology company reduce its office footprint from 153,000 to 53,000 square feet while lowering overall real estate expenses by more than 70%, all without disrupting employees or changing locations.

Professional Services Organization | New York

The firm also consolidated three separate New York offices into a single 150,000-square-foot headquarters, negotiating a turnkey build-out valued at approximately $300 per square foot, along with more than a year of free rent.

Local Lens

While Chicago has experienced elevated office vacancy in recent years, Steven sees encouraging momentum.

Demand for premier office space continues to strengthen across both the downtown core and suburban markets, while declining sublease inventory is helping stabilize market conditions. For occupiers, today’s environment presents an opportunity to secure greater flexibility, attractive lease concessions, and strategic long-term real estate solutions.

CBIZ Gibraltar’s combination of conflict-free representation, integrated expertise, and national reach reflects the strength of the firms that make up the Exis Global network.

We’re pleased to have Steven Joseph share more about CBIZ Gibraltar, its approach to occupier advisory, and the work happening across its markets. Through Inside Our Global Network, we’ll continue introducing the people, firms, and local expertise that make our global partnership unique.

Stay tuned for the next edition.