Aby Rosen’s RFR Realty today announced that it is starting a new division, RFR Retail, to highlight its increased focus on retail through new acquisitions and leasing deals.
Jordan Claffey, who was hired at the company last spring as vice president and director of retail leasing, will head up the new division. Claffey will be responsible for lease negotiations, marketing initiatives, business development and identifying potential acquisitions, according to a release. Previously, he served as Thor Equities’ vice president of leasing.
“Since Jordan joined, and with his leadership, we’ve enhanced the retail components of both the RFR website and and RFRSpace.com, which lists current availabilities. We’ve also enhanced our direct and electronic marketing campaign,” a spokesperson for RFR said in a statement. “By increasing RFR’s in-house marketing support and focusing on direct tenant relationships, we are well-positioned to service our retail assets.”
RFR’s retail holdings include 30 properties and over 500,000 square feet in Manhattan, as well as 80,000 square feet in Brooklyn associated with RFR and Kushner Cos.’ purchase of five Dumbo properties from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York. The company also has holdings in U.S. cities including Miami and Las Vegas, as well as key German cities.
Earlier this year, RFR closed on the purchase of 281 Park Avenue South, which has ground floor retail space, for $50 million. RFR also recently purchased the famous graffiti-covered building at 190 Bowery. — Tess Hofmann