In trying to underline Louise Sunshine’s status as a luxury condo guru, The New York Observer once asked if she considers herself the intellectual godmother of developer Michael Shvo.
She waved off the designation, but conceded: “If he considers me his intellectual godmother, well, then, I’m flattered.”
Flattery not only landed Shvo a mention in the 2007 interview, but also preceded the firm landing Sunshine in a role overseeing all of its residential sales and marketing efforts.
The sales, marketing and development expert told The Real Deal her new post will be the first time she will be working under someone since she kicked off her career under Donald Trump.
“He is the most bespoke developer in the market today,” Sunshine said. “I think his ideas and his executions are beyond description and I wanted to be a part of that.”
Sunshine described her new post as a “last hurrah or swan song.”
“Louise is an institution unto herself,” Shvo wrote to his staff in an email announcing her arrival.
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Sunshine started her real estate career working for The Trump Organization, where she helped lead branding and marketing for high-profile projects like Trump Tower. She then went on to launch her own firm, The Sunshine Group, in 1986.
The company was the exclusive marketing and sales agent for major properties like Time Warner Center, One Beacon Court, Trump International Hotel and Tower NY, and 40 Bond. A merger with the Corcoran Group established the Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group. Sunshine continued to serve as Chairman Emeritus of the merged entity.
More recently, she served as strategic adviser for Miami-based real estate investor Fort Partner, advising on the development and sales of other projects, including the Surf Club Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences in Miami Beach, where she achieved over $1 billion in sales and sold for record price per square foot.
However, even while working in Florida, Sunshine told TRD that she’s often in New York. In her new role, she will be based in Bal Harbor, where she lives, and she plans to spend five days a month in New York and Los Angeles.