Brown Harris Stevens

Image courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales, LLC is a luxury residential real estate firm based in New York City with offices in the Hamptons, Palm Beach, and Miami.

Headquarters: 445 Park Avenue New York City

Founded in: 1873

Founded by: Charles Stelle Brown

Brown Harris Stevens Q&A

Where does Brown Harris Stevens operate?

Brown Harris Stevens has offices in New York City, The Hamptons, Palm Beach, and Miami.

What is Brown Harris Stevens known for?

Brown Harris Stevens is known for brokering high-end residential properties in New York City. It has brokered a number of high-profile sales, including the sale of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' 14-room co-op to billionaire David Koch, and David Rockefeller's Upper East Side townhouse. As with many major brokerages, BHS has made news as it changed hands over the years. It was purchased by real estate investor Harry Helmsley in 1965 and sold by Leona Helmsley in 1995 to Arthur and William Zeckendorf and Kent Swig. This group went on to form Terra Holdings, of which BHS is a subsidiary. Under their leadership the firm purchased Halstead Properties in 2001 and several boutique firms since.

Who runs Brown Harris Stevens?

The firm is led by CEO Bess Freedman and president Hall Willkie. It is a subsidiary of Terra Holdings, whose principals include David A. Burris, Kent Swig, Arthur and William Zeckendorf, and the principals of Allied Partners.

Want to learn more about Brown Harris Stevens?

Check out our Top Stories below for TRD’s most up-to-date coverage of Brown Harris Stevens.

Brown Harris Stevens Top Stories

August 1, 2019—Fresh off a $370 million funding round, Compass has hired Brown Harris Stevens’ top Downtown broker.

July 11, 2019—Brown Harris Stevens’ chief technology officer and head of communications are out amid an internal shakeup at the luxury brokerage.

May 16, 2019—Brown Harris Stevens agents woke up Thursday to an explosive email from the firm's top brass: Ignore the rumors. Your brokerage is not for sale.

February 19, 2019—BHS names Pablo Marvel as CMO

February 19, 2019—The Closing: Bess Freedman

The Latest

Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman (iStock)

BHS gives employees Election Day off

by Erin Hudson | September 14, 2020 04:00PM

Brown Harris Stevens is giving its staff no excuse not to cast their ballots come Nov. 3. CEO Bess Freedman announced in a memo on Monday that BHS employees will not have to report...

BHS gives employees Election Day off

From left: Chris Poore, Kathryn Steinberg, Armin Allen and Caroline Guthrie (Getty, BHS)

Sotheby’s Chris Poore jumps to BHS

by E.B. Solomont | August 24, 2020 07:30AM

Chris Poore is bringing his A-list rolodex to Brown Harris Stevens. On Friday, the firm said Poore and Eyal Dagan, his husband and business partner, will join the residential firm after six years at...

Sotheby’s Chris Poore jumps to BHS