Yoko Ono and the Dakota
A Korean tourist waltzed into the usually tightly-secured Dakota through its service entrance last week to snap a few photos from the roof of John Lennon’s old haunt and was only caught after running into Yoko Ono herself while he rode the elevator down. According to the Post, Ono was merely startled by the incident, but residents are furious at the security breach. “They may fire the managing agent,” a source told the paper. (Douglas Elliman Property Management declined to comment). Another noted that Ono and Lennon, who was killed outside the building in 1980, are “the whole reason they have heightened security there, more than any other building.” Comments

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Douglas Elliman Property Management has been tapped to run the I.M. Pei-designed Centurion condominium at 33 West 56th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, the company told The Real Deal today. Elliman’s the Bracha Group is handling sales and marketing for the 17-story building, which was a joint venture of Antonio Development and Stillman Development International and was completed last June. Of the 48 one- to four-bedroom residences offered, 23 have sold and two are currently in contract, according to Streeteasy.com. TRD

From left: Howard Lorber chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman, Neil Binder, co-founder and principal at Bellmarc Companies, and John Janangelo, president of Bellmarc Property Management

Update (6:50 pm): Comments from Lorber and Binder added

Update (6:50 pm): Byline added

Douglas Elliman Property Management has acquired Bellmarc Property Management’s residential portfolio, the firms announced. In the deal, Elliman will assume management of 50 buildings, including 15 East 69th Street, 870 Fifth Avenue and CitySpire Center. “We are excited about the transition of this aspect of our business to Douglas Elliman Property Management, as it is a win-win for both companies,” said Neil Binder, principal of Bellmarc Property Management, an arm of Bellmarc Companies. “Douglas Elliman Property Management will be able to build on its impressive exiting portfolio of properties and Bellmarc will focus on enhancing its core business of residential brokerage.” Elliman boasts that it is Manhattan’s largest residential property manager. With the 50 additional buildings, Elliman’s portfolio will grow to 300 buildings. Douglas Elliman Property Management falls under the umbrella of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate.  [more]