Prior to joining C&W, McConnell was a senior vice president at CB Richard Ellis and Insignia/ESG. He established a hotel practice in 1998 and had a client roster including Trump International Hotels and CP Hotels. Fitzpatrick opened and managed the Garden City Hotel on Long Island and worked on transactions included the sales of the Huntington Hilton, Gorham Hotel and the Castle at Tarrytown.

"For us, it's a newly formed national practice," Bruce Mosler, C&W's head of US operations, tells GlobeSt.com. "This is a long-term play. They bring tremendous energy and will complement our hospitality appraisal service." He notes that with the new hotel investment focus, the firm can provide clients with a full-service hotel industry concentration.

CBRE issued a statement regarding the pair's move to Cushman.