Membership at the industry’s leading trade group, the Real Estate Board of New York, is at an all-time high, but outside of public view there is a constant turnover of its ranks.
This month, The Real Deal did a first-ever analysis of REBNY membership, comparing the Class of 2012 to the Class of 2011 to see who joined — and who dropped out — this year.
Using the trade group’s official handbooks from both years, TRD reviewed the membership status of individuals representing approximately 1,580 companies. (Individuals, not companies, make up the membership.)
The analysis found that real estate pros representing nearly 200 firms — the vast majority of the small ones — dropped their membership, and conversely individuals representing about 150 firms joined last year.
REBNY officials declined to verify the numbers, but said the group had a record 12,542 members at the end of 2011 — 465 more than in December 2010.
Below are some highlights of companies that are no longer represented in REBNY, and companies that have just signed on.
Joined
Ariel Property Advisors
Former Massey Knakal Realty Services partner Shimon Shkury, pictured, formed the commercial brokerage in January 2011. The firm focuses on multifamily sales in Northern Manhattan and the Bronx.
Avison Young
The fast-growing Canadian-based commercial service firm opened its first NYC office in August. Principal Gregory Kraut, a former agent with CBRE, is the sole broker locally, DOS records show.
Brookfield Financial Real Estate
This division of Brookfield Asset Management (see story on page 56) expanded its NYC office last year with the hiring of brokers Eric Anton and Ronald Solarz.
CWCapital LLC
The lender and loan-servicing firm is part of the larger CW Financial Services, which has taken a more public role in NYC since several of its securitized loans went into default, including $3 billion of debt on Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village.
Kian Realty
The Midtown-based, 100 percent-commission-model residential firm that Charles Doolan founded in June 2011 now has 49 agents and brokers, DOS figures show.
Savanna
The fast-growing real estate private equity firm Savanna, founded in 1992, is led by Christopher Schlank and Nicholas Bienstock. The firm acquired eight Manhattan office buildings for a total of $747 million over the past two years.
Transwestern
The national, privately held commercial firm opened its first NYC office in February 2011, and now has four brokers and agents, the DOS database showed.
Walker & Dunlop
The Bethesda, Md.-based real estate finance firm opened its NYC office, headed by Drew Anderman, in 2009 (note: correction appended). “We joined because REBNY is an important organization for our business in New York City,” Anderman said.
Toll Brothers
The 44-year-old national homebuilder based in Pennsylvania has greatly increased its stake in Manhattan by purchasing three sites for $196 million over the past 14 months, RCA data show.
Dropped
Archdiocese of New York
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York reportedly sold approximately $100 million worth of real estate during the boom years as parishes contracted, but that selling activity has slowed in recent years.
Archstone
One of the nation’s largest multifamily property owners, Archstone owns and manages 10 rental apartment buildings in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn, among the 434 properties it owns throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Great American Brokerage
Paul Fetscher, the president of the two-person, Long Island–based commercial firm, said he was doing more work outside of NYC now, and so decided to let his membership lapse. While he said REBNY was an effective advocate locally, “once you’ve moved off Manhattan island, their influence just isn’t there.”
Clarett Group
The development firm, which built such projects as the Costas Kondylis tower at 200 West End Avenue at 70th Street, closed its doors in March last year.
Hyline Safety Company
The owner of the Midtown-based safety consultant firm, Evan Lipstein, said that despite a good relationship with REBNY, it did not currently provide enough benefit for the cost of membership.
Peters Realty Group
The Manhattan-based boutique firm is headed by real estate attorney Michele Peters. She confirmed letting the company’s membership lapse, but declined to comment on why she didn’t renew.
Alice F. Mason Ltd.
Alice Mason, pictured, the legendary 79-year-old residential broker and dinner party host, is also no longer listed as a REBNY member. In 2008 she closed her Madison Avenue office, and in 2010, she told The Real Deal she was scaling back her business.
The Salvation Army
The nonprofit organization and landlord sold two valuable Manhattan buildings in 2010, including the 17-story former hotel at 18 Gramercy Park South for $60 million.
