Savitt launches Savitt Partners: A full-service commercial R.E. firm

Bob Savitt has launched Savitt Partners, a full-service commercial real estate firm. Savitt Partners will continue to oversee the leasing and management of its own assets, as well as provide a complete menu of brokerage and management services to tenants and other quality bottom-line focused owners. "We have honed our skills through the aggressive positioning and management of nearly two million s/f of commercial space and have the knowledge and experience necessary to provide top-tier service for tenants and owners, particularly in the current challenging market," said Savitt, whose property acquisitions have included 11 West 19th St., 218 West 40th St., 130 Prince St. and 525 Seventh Ave. "We have made and will continue to make a substantial investment in Savitt Partners and its people in order to assure an environment where the best talent can focus exclusively on delivering outstanding service and counsel." Savitt Partners' 15-member team operates out of its new 8,000 s/f offices in Midtown. "Our experience in acquiring and managing assets provides us with the deeper understanding and perspective that our owner and investor clients especially value," said Savitt. "At the same time, this experience gives us the knowledge to get the most out of opportunities in today's tumultuous market for our tenant clients." Michael Dubin will direct Savitt Partners' brokerage services division. Prior to joining Savitt Partners, Dubin was an executive managing director at Murray Hill Properties, where he was involved in many high-profile leasing and investment sales transactions, representing clients in the legal, construction, financial services, corporate and healthcare industries. His multi-disciplined background has enabled him to transcend traditional brokerage practice approaches and develop some of the industry's most creative real estate solutions for clients such as Ohrenstein & Brown, LLP, RC Dolner LLC, Glocap, Continuum Health Partners, Lenox Hill Hospital, Gemological Institute of America and the Animal Medical Center. Most recently, he was instrumental in the sale of 320 East 53rd St. and repositioning the garage and retail component at 400 West 55th St., which was later leased to the NYC Veterinary Specialists & Cancer Treatment Center. "We are dedicated to building a company with the infrastructure, systems and talent to support its brokers, management team and partners in a collegial, professional environment, that enables them to bring the industry's highest standards to their customers," Dubin said. "Today's marketplace poses new challenges for real estate professionals, and Savitt Partners is a platform from which energetic, entrepreneurial and dedicated professionals can launch and sustain their careers." Dubin said that Savitt Partners' brokerage division is built and will continue to grow around a core team of professionals. The team already includes executive vice president Marc Schoen, who over the past decade has been responsible for numerous significant transactions in the corporate, fashion and creative services sectors. Among his most recent deals are those on behalf of such well known firms as Epoch Films, Vilebrequin Swimwear and Baron & Baron, Inc. "We will not be rushing to add brokerage professionals, but will be taking our time to find those who share our philosophy for building long term relationships over short term gains, and are willing to adhere to the very highest standards in all their dealings," Dubin said. "I have no doubt that there are many great brokers who want to make their home in a boutique shop where their voices can and will influence the evolution of the company." In addition to the brokerage services division, Savitt Partners is also expanding its asset management department to serve a select number of owners. This division is directed by the firm's chief financial officer James Raso. Raso brings more than two decades of real estate finance experience. Prior to joining Savitt Partners, he was director of asset management and senior VP for SL Green Realty (formerly Reckson Associates Realty Corp), where he was responsible for the REIT's 24 million-s/f portfolio. "Savitt Partners is the natural outgrowth of work I have been involved in for more than two decades," said Savitt. "With the market shifting so dramatically and in unforeseen directions, now, more than ever, there is demand for a full-service real estate firm dedicated to performance excellence and the very highest standards of integrity."