Tomer Fridman out at Compass

Abrupt split begs questions about business with Sally Forster Jones

Tomer Fridman, Compass Part Ways
Tomer Fridman (Ryan Lahiff, Getty)

Beverly Hills celebrity agent Tomer Fridman has parted ways with Compass, The Real Deal has learned.

Fridman’s split from the brokerage was announced internally to staff by Parker Beatty, the firm’s regional vice president of Southern California and Hawaii, according to an email reviewed by TRD.

Beatty said in the Friday evening email the departure was effective immediately and the decision “was not made lightly, but rather to ensure that our workplace is one that reflects the values and culture that Compass espouses and that you – our agents and employees – deserve.”

Compass declined comment. Fridman did not respond to requests for comment.

As of Monday afternoon, the agent’s license remains with Compass, according to California Department of Real Estate records.

Fridman was one of the firm’s top producers, closing over $840 million in deals in 2022 when he helmed the Fridman Group with his mother Isidora Fridman, who is also Israel Sotheby’s International Realty founding partner. The duo has worked with a star-studded roster of clients over the years, including Khloe Kardashian, boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, former BCBGMaxAzria Group chief creative officer Lubov Azria, Sylvester Stallone and Pamela Anderson.

 

Mega Team’s Future

Fridman’s departure raises the question of what’s to come for the Compass mega team Jones Fridman International, which he began building with Sally Forster Jones earlier this year. The group’s plan was to expand into other upscale real estate markets domestically.   

Forster Jones could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.

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The same day Fridman left Compass, he and Forster Jones announced on social media they had worked out the sale of the 21st-floor penthouse at the Beverly West luxury condo tower in Westwood. The over 8,200-square-foot unit at 1200 Club View Drive was sold off market and was last listed for $25.3 million.

Forster Jones, Fridman and Compass’ Amir Ensani represented Emaar Properties, while Forster Jones also represented the mystery buyer.

The two super agents combined their respective teams in April to create Jones Fridman International.

That move was followed up in June with Jones Fridman’s merger with Straser Silicon Valley’s seven-person team, giving the former an expanded footprint up north in markets such as Atherton, Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Following the most recent merger, the Jones Fridman team totaled 45 agents with $25 billion in combined career sales.

“The key for us is luxury,” Fridman told TRD at the time of the team’s Northern California merger. “We’re not just looking to expand. We’re looking to expand in key luxury markets in the country.”

Fridman and Forster Jones told TRD in June they were also eyeing New York, Miami, Nashville, Montecito, Orange County and Aspen as growth markets and were actively speaking with agents in those areas.

Friday’s news marks Fridman’s second departure from Compass.

He was there between 2017 and 2021 before leaving to go to Hilton & Hyland for a roughly three-month stint in 2021, according to DRE records. He returned to Compass that same year for his most recent term.

 

Reach the reporter at kari.hamanaka@therealdeal.com.

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