While New York City real estate agents need thick skin — enduring a cutthroat industry with infighting, mind games and, at times, harsh environs — there’s one jungle that most of them would not be prepared for: the Nicaraguan wilderness.
But one agent, Matthew Lenahan from the Corcoran Group, who specializes in the Harlem market and whose listings include units in the Soha 118 at 301 West 118th Street, will face a challenge unthinkable by most. He is among the cast members for the new season of “Survivor,” set to debut Sept. 15, during which contestants will face numerous mental and physical challenges in a bid to win a $1 million grand prize.
While Lenahan is taking hits on the official CBS Survivor fan page (“Anyone else think Matthew is a MAJOR [past contestant] Tyson [Apostol] WANNABE???” snarks one poster), his Corcoran colleagues have kinder words when talking about him.
“I think he’ll be amazing,” said Lior Politi, a Corcoran senior associate who works in Lenahan’s office. “He has a strong personality.”
“Strong personality” may be an understatement. Lenahan — who goes by the nickname “Sash” on the show — lists “extreme adventures, running [and] dating beautiful women” as his “hobbies” on his contestant bio, and said being “one of the youngest brokers ever on Wall Street” is a “personal claim to fame.”
In a taped interview for the show, Lenahan said that he has the female contestants “wrapped around my finger” while flashing an improbably white grin.
Lenahan did not respond to calls or e-mails from The Real Deal. According to a CBS spokesperson, contestants on the show are not permitted to comment to the press until right before the show airs.
Sandy Wilson, a senior vice president with Corcoran who also works in Lenahan’s office, called him a “terrific young man,” and described him as “hard-working” and “sweet.”
His experience braving New York’s urban jungle as a broker could also be an asset as he tries to beat out other contestants. “In New York City [as an agent], you have to be really aggressive, strategic,” said Jana Kolpen, an associate broker with Corcoran.