Rubicon’s UWS storefront office opens its doors

Rubicon Property’s first storefront office, at 451 Columbus Avenue, is now open. The brokerage has officially made the move into the 500-square-foot office between 81st and 82nd streets, though “finishing touches won’t be in place for a few weeks,” Jason Haber, co-founder of Rubicon, told The Real Deal.

In addition to serving as home base to Rubicon’s 14 agents, the new space will offer walking tours, lectures, book signings, live musical performances, wine tastings, and other special events, Haber said. Rubicon, which launched in September 2010, donates a portion of its fee from every sale to a local non-profit charity:water that provides safe drinking water in developing countries.

Unfortunately, Haber added, “Riley [Haber’s dog pictured above] is not a licensed real estate salesperson so he isn’t able to take on any walk-in clients.” But Riley will be a key member of the Rubicon team. “While he can’t take commissions, he does take treats from the window,” Haber said. — Guelda Voien