Garrick-Aug merges into Century 21 Kevin B. Brown
Just 14 months after the retail brokerage shop was sold to investors, Garrick-Aug Store Leasing is being merged into Century 21 Kevin B. Brown & Associates, the New York Post reported. The company was set to move last month from 360 Lexington Avenue into the Century 21 Kevin B. Brown offices at 575 Madison Avenue.
Craigslist to charge brokers for rental listings
Starting Mar. 1, Craigslist.org will charge a $10 fee for each rental listing posted to the broker apartment categories on the New York City portal of the popular Web site. The fee applies only to the Big Apple, and applies to both fee and no-fee apartments.
Jamestown partner starts own firm
After 13 years as one of the general partners of Jamestown, Steve Zoukis left to start his own business, Cityfeet.com reported. His new company will pursue real estate investment and development. Zoukis will continue with Jamestown, but as a limited partner. The American operations will be headed by Jeff Ackemann, Matt Bronfman, and Lee Wright, who have been managing directors responsible for day-to-day operations.
Sotheby’s acquires Westchester firm
Sotheby’s International Realty announced the acquisition of Scarsdale-based Julia B. Fee. That firm’s eight Westchester offices will now operate as Sotheby’s.
Zillow.com launches property value tool
Former Expedia chief Richard Barton’s residential home valuation tool Zillow.com, which uses a computer program to determine property values, was launched last month. New York-based PropertyShark.com also announced last month that it launched a beta version of its new home sale-price maps.
Trulia.com launches in New York City
Listings search service Trulia.com launched last month in New York City. The San Francisco-based spider culls listings from many of the boroughs’ brokerages and also provides market data.
PropertyRover.com launches consumer version
PropertyRover Inc. has launched a consumer version of its residential real estate search engine, called PropertyRover.com, the company announced last month. The Web spider, which is targeted to New York City homebuyers, is being offered in addition to Web-based business tools offered by PropertyRover.com for Manhattan-based residential brokerage firms.
Japanese real estate firm to re-enter US market
Mitsui Fudosan America Inc., the American subsidiary of Japan’s largest real estate company, appointed Graham Bond chief operating officer. Bond will work with the executive team to engineer the resurgence of the company in the American market. He had been at Morgan Stanley.
South Street Seaport owner opens new city office
Chicago-based General Growth Properties Inc., owner and manager of the South Street Seaport, announced that it has opened a New York office at Wall Street Plaza, 88 Pine Street. The Pine Street office staffs a full team of General Growth management, marketing, and leasing personnel for the company’s New York and New Jersey properties.
GuardHill becomes mortgage bank
GuardHill Financial Corp. announced that it has become a mortgage bank. The firm can now issue same-day commitments and close mortgage loans without relying on other institutions.
Brown Raysman expands construction law practice
Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner LLP announced last month that it has expanded its construction law practice with 15 attorneys from New York-based Ross & Cohen LLP. The firm now has more than 30 attorneys working in construction law.
Trump Mortgage launches with nationwide focus
Donald Trump has launched Trump Mortgage, with headquarters at 40 Wall Street. The new venture has a national focus, said CEO E.J. Ridings, with the firm handling financing for both commercial and residential properties.
Neil Rubler launches investment firm
New York real estate industry executive Neil Rubler announced the formation of Vantage Properties LLC, a private real estate development firm based in New York. Vantage made its first acquisition — Delano Village in Harlem — in partnership with Apollo Real Estate Advisors in January.