Responsibilities
Earle S. Altman is retired, he served as Chairman and was a founding member of ABS Partners Real Estate. His responsibilities included overseeing the acquisitions, sales, management, leasing, and advisory groups. Within this capacity, Mr. Altman managed, leased and sold commercial and residential buildings in excess of $1 billion.
Experience
Mr. Altman has more than 50 years of experience in the real estate industry. Prior to founding ABS in 2000, Mr. Altman spent 40 years at Helmsley-Spear, Inc., serving as Senior Vice President and running its Sales and Leasing Divisions.
Awards and Affiliations
Mr. Altman has served as Chairman of the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association of New York, from which he has received several honors, a member of the Board of Governors of The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) as well as a three-time Chairman of its Sales Broker Committee and President of the Real Estate Society of Baruch College, where he presently serves as a member of the Advisory Board of its Newman Real Estate Institute and was recently honored as an “Alumni of Distinction.” Currently, Mr. Altman is on the New York City Advisory Board of the M&T Bank and has been a member of its Real Estate Loan Committee since 1989, serving as Co-Chairman of the Real Estate Council of Carnegie Hall and is a benefactor of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM).
Responsibilities
Gregg L. Schenker is President and Co-Managing Partner of ABS Partners Real Estate. His responsibilities include overseeing the company’s business activities, providing real estate and advisory services to the clients of the firm, long-term strategic planning for generational minded families, and organizing partnerships for the purpose of owning real estate. He is a partner in many real estate ventures owning office, hotel, retail, and multifamily properties.
Experience
Mr. Schenker has more than 30 years of experience working locally in the New York City commercial real estate industry. He began his real estate career by working at a New York City construction site in Fort Greene, Brooklyn during summer recess from college, literally learning the real estate business from the ground up. After college, his first job was with Helmsley, at the time the largest privately held real estate company in the country and a very fertile place for learning. While working at Helmsley alongside Earle Altman, a legendary veteran New York City Real Estate professional, Gregg learned the real estate business and attended the NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate. In 1999, after Helmsley began to unwind, he, along with partners Earle Altman, Dan Burack, Peter Burack, and Steven Hornstock, formed ABS.
Under the leadership of Gregg and the other ABS Partners, the ABS firm quickly became well known for its expertise in handling real estate matters for property owners and successfully organizing ventures to own real estate. Gregg consistently focused upon the benefits of long term investing, the conservative use of leverage, and the importance of maintaining well capitalized entities. Having fared well through many business cycles, the firm continues to participate in many of the early partnerships. Additionally, each year the firm organizes new partnerships with a growing base of investors, real estate holdings, and prominent clients who own real estate and utilize the services of the firm. Over the course of the past 10 years, the firm has steadily diversified its holdings with a concentration on the east coast of the United States.
The ABS Partners maxim is “we build partnerships that last” a guiding principle. With the influence provided by Gregg, the firm strives to perform well for its partners and clients by utilizing its key relationships, remaining flexible, employing a strong and positive work ethic, and building upon a foundation of integrity. Thanks to the support of friends, clients, and partners in the real estate community, those strong relationships, coupled with the reputation which has been established by the ABS team are the collective driving force behind the firm’s success.
Since 1999, ABS has grown from the initial group of 14 people to 80 real estate professionals located in the New York City headquarters and more than 250 employees in New York City. ABS maintains offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester and Florida.
Awards and Affiliations
Gregg is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York; a member and past Chairman of the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association of New York; Past Chairman and current Board Member of the Flatiron 23rd Street BID; Board Member of the Union Square Partnership; Board Member of the Real Estate Council of Carnegie Hall; Board member of the National Realty Club; former member of the Real Estate Board of New York Commercial Board of Directors and the Real Estate Board of New York Board of Governors; and member of the Real Estate Board of New York’s Sales Brokers and Midtown South Committees. Gregg served for approximately a decade as Chairman of the Board of Directors for a Not for Profit organization which provides housing for the Mentally Ill, ARMI or Association for the Rehabilitation of the Mentally Ill. Under Gregg’s leadership, the organization built two buildings in Manhattan to house the mentally ill and maintained scattered site housing units throughout New York City. With the passage of time and significant growth since Gregg’s service the organization is now ACMH or Association for Rehabilitative Case Management & Housing.
In 2008, Gregg was awarded the Young Real Estate Man of the Year Award at the Real Estate Board of New York’s annual black tie banquet. In 2012, he received the Community Service Award from the Flatiron 23rd Street Business Improvement District. In 2019, he received YMWREA’s Senior Professional of the Year Award and in 2021, he received REBNY’s Louis Smadbeck Memorial Broker Recognition Award.
Personal Life
Gregg has been married to his wife Lisa for more than 20 years; they have two daughters, Emma, who is a graduate of Connecticut College, and Olivia, a student at Northwestern University. Together they live on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
When Gregg is not working, he enjoys reading, studying history, poetry, and famous quotes that have meaningful life-lessons. He has a passion for sailing, music, collecting contemporary art, and is a member of a number of clubs which offer intellectually stimulating lectures, concerts and social gatherings.
Responsibilities
Peter D. Burack is a Co-Managing Partner of ABS Partners Real Estate. He is responsible for acquisitions and asset management for the firm including analyzing and presenting the investment to investors, determining and executing the capital structure of the transactions and then managing and evaluating the portfolio as an asset manager.
Experience
In recent years, he has been involved in over 20 transactions with a value of over $300 million including the sale of major commercial office building and the financing and sale of several net leased properties. Since 2005 he has been responsible for over $200 million in financings for properties managed by the firm. Some examples of the real estate investments Mr. Burack has completed includes the acquisition of two midtown office buildings totaling over 350,000 square feet, the development of over 400 single family homes in Westchester and Long Island, the development of three Marriott hotels in Washington D.C. and the development of over 300 units in three rental apartment buildings in Manhattan. He also helped arrange to the net lease of 725,000 square feet of commercial space in Manhattan.
Mr. Burack also represents the ABS Partners in a joint venture with a residential development company. This joint venture currently has over $275 million in market rate and affordable housing under development in NYC. In addition, the joint venture is the Managing Partner of a $200 million equity fund from the NYC Pension Funds which is designated to invest in areas impacted by Superstorm Sandy. The fund currently has two multifamily projects under development and has purchased an existing multifamily building. Mr. Burack’s role is to advise, consult and structure acquisitions for the joint venture and then asset manage them on behalf of the Partners.
Over the past 30 years, he has been involved in the acquisition, financing and sale of properties including commercial office buildings, residential rental apartment buildings, hotels, shopping centers and raw land. Mr. Burack currently serves as the one of Managing Partners of Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club (cranwell.com), a 107-room resort hotel and 18-hole championship golf course in Lenox, Massachusetts and has been responsible for over $20 million of improvements to the property including the development of a 35,000 square foot spa in 2002.
From 1988 to 1993 he was a Vice President of Bessemer Trust Company where he managed and invested funds for its clients in real estate related matters.
Education
Mr. Burack holds a Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH and a Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School in Evanston, IL.
Responsibilities
Steven Hornstock is a Founder and Co-Managing Partner of ABS Partners Real Estate, LLC and is currently the Director of Investment Sales. In addition to his day-to-day co-management responsibilities, Mr. Hornstock oversees the investment sales and advisory group, and continues to source and acquire investment properties for clients of ABS.
Experience
Prior to the formation of ABS, Mr. Hornstock served as Director of Investment Sales at Helmsley-Spear, Inc. During his tenure at Helmsley-Spear, Mr. Hornstock focused on land use, property assemblage for future New York City development projects, as well as investment property acquisitions for the firm’s clients.
Preceding Helmsley-Spear, Mr. Hornstock was a Co-Founding Partner of Sutton East Associates, a New York City based residential development firm. While at Sutton East, he played an integral part in the acquisition and subsequent development of the Channel Club, a 39-story condominium at 455 East 86th Steet; and 279 Central Park West, a 20-story condominium at 88th Street.
Awards and Affiliations
Mr. Hornstock is a licensed real estate broker in the State of New York since 1976; and is an active member of the Sales Brokers Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), and currently serves as a director on the Commercial Board of Directors of REBNY.
Education
Mr. Hornstock received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts and completed the Real Estate certificate program at New York University.
Responsibilities
Jason Fein is a Partner of ABS Partners Real Estate where he focuses on acquisitions; investment syndication; investor relations; and asset management. In addition, he oversees the leasing and management for a number of NYC properties (commercial and multi-family). Daily, Mr. Fein and his partners guide business operations and strategic planning for the firm.
Experience
Mr. Fein joined ABS in 2007. Prior to joining ABS, Mr. Fein served as Chief Executive of Guidecraft Inc., an industry leader in the design, manufacture, importing and distribution of children’s educational toys and furniture. Under Mr. Fein’s twenty-one years of leadership, Guidecraft grew from a 9-member staff operating in a workshop in suburban NY to a multinational company, employing a staff of over 90 with offices in New York, Minnesota, Shanghai, China; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Bangkok, Thailand.
Awards and Affiliations
Mr. Fein is both a member of REBNY and the Cornell University Real Estate Council. He was also a Captain with the Hastings-on-Hudson Fire Department.
Education
Mr. Fein received both his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Professional Studies degrees from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.
Responsibilities
James Caseley is an Executive Managing Director of ABS Partners Real Estate. He is responsible for the in-house review of rental conditions, supervising a portion of the brokerage team, and handling the leasing and management of a number of properties. Mr. Caseley specializes in repositioning commercial and industrial real estate to appeal to changing markets, particularly involving construction administration and lease negotiations. Utilizing knowledge from the extensive landlord representation, he has represented scores of commercial tenants in real estate transactions.
Experience
Mr. Caseley has 34 years experience in commercial real estate brokerage and management in New York City. Prior to joining ABS in 2005, Mr. Caseley served as Senior Managing Director at Newmark & Company Real Estate, Inc., where he was involved in the conversion of industrial loft buildings for office uses. In 1985, he opened Newmark’s Soho office, overseeing leasing in the local portfolio consisting of nearly 1,000,000 square feet. At the time, Mr. Caseley was a pioneer in the soon to emerge Soho Market. Over his career he has represented landlords in well over 20,000,000 sf of transactions.
Awards and Affiliations
Mr. Caseley is a member of REBNY, founding member and former Executive Committee member of the Village Alliance/8th Street BID, and the NoHo-NY BID. He has also served on the Clinton Land Use and Zoning Committee for Community Board #4 and is an active participant in REBNY committee meetings and a 2013 selectee to the REBNY Commercial Board of Directors.
Responsibilities
Richard Meyerson is Chief Financial Officer with ABS Partners Real Estate. He is responsible for all financial reporting including property analysis, project feasibility studies, financial statement preparation, and budgets.
In addition, Mr. Meyerson supports the brokers and senior management in lease analysis, deal structuring and financial modeling for acquisitions or sales, often using ARGUS. He is skilled in preparing financial modeling for acquisitions and dispositions, comparative lease analysis and new financing or refinancing of properties.
Experience
Mr. Meyerson has more than 35 of experience in the real estate industry. Before joining ABS Partners in 2005 he was a consultant providing financial analysis, portfolio evaluations, cash flow modeling, due diligence examinations and cost containment / control audits for lenders, purchasers, investors and institutions. Prior to that, Mr. Meyerson was the Chief Financial Officer for GVA Williams, for over 20 years, and was responsible for the finance and administration functions of approximately 120 properties with 20 million square feet of space.
Education
Mr. Meyerson is a graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and is also a Licensed Real Estate Broker.
Responsibilities
John Brod is particularly sought after for his focus on commercial office and retail tenant representation, agency services and lease negotiations. His experience covers tenant and owner representation throughout Manhattan and other major U.S. cities. Prior to ABS he was a founding partner of PBS Real Estate a leading boutique commercial real estate firm
Experience
Since beginning his career at Edward S. Gordon in 1980, Mr. Brod has personally facilitated several billion dollars’ worth of office and retail leases. In the past 15 years alone, he has been responsible for leasing more than 30 million square feet of office and retail space in several of the most innovative transactions in New York City. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for over one million square feet of commercial office and retail leasing agency assignments.
The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) nominated Mr. Brod for its “Most Ingenious Deal of the Year” award five times, beginning in 1995 for a 200,000-square-foot Stroock & Stroock & Lavan lease at 180 Maiden Lane, and again in 1999 for a 22,000-square-foot Donna Karan retail lease on at 655 Madison Avenue; 2005, for a 25,000-square-foot Ecko Times Square flagship transaction; 2006, for a 30,000-square-foot Abercrombie & Fitch lease at 720 Fifth Avenue; and 2007, for Hollister’s 42,000-square-foot lease at Soho flagship property 600 Broadway.
Mr. Brod was responsible for the Joe Fresh rollout in 2011 to 2012 consisting of over five locations and 60,000 square feet including Joe Fresh’s flagship at 510 Fifth Avenue.
In 2012, Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of 105 Wooster Street, one of the largest retail condominiums at 40,000 square feet in Soho, which is currently the home of Room & Board. That same year, Mr. Brod again represented Donna Karan in its lease renewal at 655 Madison, where the retail had resided since 1999. This was the largest retail transaction on Madison Avenue. In 2015 Mr. Brod was hired by its current owner to re-market 105 Wooster Street.
In 2013 to 2014, Mr. Brod was the sole broker in the sale of 120 West Broadway, a 14,000-square-foot retail condominium anchored by HSBC and Citibank; and the two-buildings 152/4 Spring Street, which was purchased by Acadia Realty Trust, a publicly traded REIT.
In 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for leasing 915 Broadway’s retail space to Ethan Allen for their flagship store. Also in 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of a 14,000 square foot development site at 579 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY. In 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of the Lord Balfour Hotel in South Beach, Florida to an international hotel group.
In 2016 Mr. Brod represented both seller and purchaser for 10 Sullivan Street a retail condominium; and 66 Third Avenue a 35,000 sf building currently leased to Loews Theatre ($32 MM). Additionally Mr. Brod represented the buyer in a land assemblage of five buildings on 92nd Street and Third Avenue ($111 MM). Mr. Brod also completed five deals on behalf of Hickey Freeman and Samuelsohn, a luxury menswear manufacturer for two showrooms and four retail stores, two in New York City and two outside the city.
In 2017-18 Mr. Brod was appointed exclusive leasing agent for two Plaza District Buildings; 770 Lexington Avenue and 145 East 57th Street. The 770 project was successfully completed with the transformation and leasing of former retail multi-story space to one of the nation’s leading hospital groups; and to Verizon. At 145 East 57th , still a work in process, this Plaza District Building is being leased to leading private equity and family offices.
In 2018 Mr. Brod represented Merchants Hospitality in their purchase of The Z Hotel ($32.5 MM) a 100 room Hotel in Long Island City, NY.
In 2019 Mr. Brod was responsible for bringing a portfolio of commercial and residential properties consisting of over 37 properties and 200 tenants into ABS for both management and leasing. On behalf of Fedcap’s Easterseals group, Mr. Brod completed a long term 15,000 sf lease at L+M Development Partners’ newly constructed project on Story Avenue in the Bronx.
In 2019-20 Ethan Allen hired Mr. Brod as exclusive agent to sublease their 13,000 sf flagship at 915 Broadway. The assignment was successfully concluded in April 2020, during a citywide shutdown due to Covid-19. The lessee, Charles Schwab, completed a new direct lease at a longer term than Ethan Allen’s, this enabled Ethan Allen to mitigate 100% of their remaining lease liability.
Accolades and Affiliations
In August 2005, Real Estate Weekly named Mr. Brod as one of its “Top Deal Makers” in its 50th Anniversary edition. He was ranked among New York City’s “Top Brokers” several times by CoStar Group based on 2007, 2012, 2013 and 2015 retail leasing volume.
Mr. Brod serves on the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis advisory board at The George Washington University School of Business, where he also received a B.A. degree.
Mr. Brod is currently on the Plaza District and Sales Committees for Rebny.
Prior to joining the real estate industry Mr. Brod was President of Hammarplast USA a division of Perstorp AB; and Senior Consultant for Cegmark International a consultancy and management firm.
Responsibilities
Alan S. Cohen is responsible for developing and implementing strategies for lines of brokerage activity within ABS Partners which includes Landlord representation, Tenant representation, Investment Sales, advisory and Property Management.
Experience
Mr. Cohen is the Founder of Brighton Advisors LLC and brings a solid background in real estate to the ABS Partners Investment sales team. He has completed over $900 million dollars in investment sales and has represented Landlords and tenants in leasing activity throughout his career.
Over the last 9 years, he has been involved in the acquisition, financing and sale of properties including commercial office buildings, residential rental apartment buildings, hotels, shopping centers and development sites in New York City.
Awards & Affiliations
Mr. Cohen serves on the Executive Committee of ABS Partners, the Board of JCCA of Westchester as well on the Board of Governors of Brae Burn Country Club. Alan is also an active member of the Sales Brokers Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY).
Responsibilities
Richard Meyerson is Chief Financial Officer with ABS Partners Real Estate. He is responsible for all financial reporting including property analysis, project feasibility studies, financial statement preparation, and budgets.
In addition, Mr. Meyerson supports the brokers and senior management in lease analysis, deal structuring and financial modeling for acquisitions or sales, often using ARGUS. He is skilled in preparing financial modeling for acquisitions and dispositions, comparative lease analysis and new financing or refinancing of properties.
Experience
Mr. Meyerson has more than 35 of experience in the real estate industry. Before joining ABS Partners in 2005 he was a consultant providing financial analysis, portfolio evaluations, cash flow modeling, due diligence examinations and cost containment / control audits for lenders, purchasers, investors and institutions. Prior to that, Mr. Meyerson was the Chief Financial Officer for GVA Williams, for over 20 years, and was responsible for the finance and administration functions of approximately 120 properties with 20 million square feet of space.
Education
Mr. Meyerson is a graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and is also a Licensed Real Estate Broker.
Responsibilities
Steven Hornstock is a Founder and Co-Managing Partner of ABS Partners Real Estate, LLC and is currently the Director of Investment Sales. In addition to his day-to-day co-management responsibilities, Mr. Hornstock oversees the investment sales and advisory group, and continues to source and acquire investment properties for clients of ABS.
Experience
Prior to the formation of ABS, Mr. Hornstock served as Director of Investment Sales at Helmsley-Spear, Inc. During his tenure at Helmsley-Spear, Mr. Hornstock focused on land use, property assemblage for future New York City development projects, as well as investment property acquisitions for the firm’s clients.
Preceding Helmsley-Spear, Mr. Hornstock was a Co-Founding Partner of Sutton East Associates, a New York City based residential development firm. While at Sutton East, he played an integral part in the acquisition and subsequent development of the Channel Club, a 39-story condominium at 455 East 86th Steet; and 279 Central Park West, a 20-story condominium at 88th Street.
Awards and Affiliations
Mr. Hornstock is a licensed real estate broker in the State of New York since 1976; and is an active member of the Sales Brokers Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), and currently serves as a director on the Commercial Board of Directors of REBNY.
Education
Mr. Hornstock received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts and completed the Real Estate certificate program at New York University.
Responsibilities
John Brod is particularly sought after for his focus on commercial office and retail tenant representation, agency services and lease negotiations. His experience covers tenant and owner representation throughout Manhattan and other major U.S. cities. Prior to ABS he was a founding partner of PBS Real Estate a leading boutique commercial real estate firm
Experience
Since beginning his career at Edward S. Gordon in 1980, Mr. Brod has personally facilitated several billion dollars’ worth of office and retail leases. In the past 15 years alone, he has been responsible for leasing more than 30 million square feet of office and retail space in several of the most innovative transactions in New York City. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for over one million square feet of commercial office and retail leasing agency assignments.
The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) nominated Mr. Brod for its “Most Ingenious Deal of the Year” award five times, beginning in 1995 for a 200,000-square-foot Stroock & Stroock & Lavan lease at 180 Maiden Lane, and again in 1999 for a 22,000-square-foot Donna Karan retail lease on at 655 Madison Avenue; 2005, for a 25,000-square-foot Ecko Times Square flagship transaction; 2006, for a 30,000-square-foot Abercrombie & Fitch lease at 720 Fifth Avenue; and 2007, for Hollister’s 42,000-square-foot lease at Soho flagship property 600 Broadway.
Mr. Brod was responsible for the Joe Fresh rollout in 2011 to 2012 consisting of over five locations and 60,000 square feet including Joe Fresh’s flagship at 510 Fifth Avenue.
In 2012, Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of 105 Wooster Street, one of the largest retail condominiums at 40,000 square feet in Soho, which is currently the home of Room & Board. That same year, Mr. Brod again represented Donna Karan in its lease renewal at 655 Madison, where the retail had resided since 1999. This was the largest retail transaction on Madison Avenue. In 2015 Mr. Brod was hired by its current owner to re-market 105 Wooster Street.
In 2013 to 2014, Mr. Brod was the sole broker in the sale of 120 West Broadway, a 14,000-square-foot retail condominium anchored by HSBC and Citibank; and the two-buildings 152/4 Spring Street, which was purchased by Acadia Realty Trust, a publicly traded REIT.
In 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for leasing 915 Broadway’s retail space to Ethan Allen for their flagship store. Also in 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of a 14,000 square foot development site at 579 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY. In 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of the Lord Balfour Hotel in South Beach, Florida to an international hotel group.
In 2016 Mr. Brod represented both seller and purchaser for 10 Sullivan Street a retail condominium; and 66 Third Avenue a 35,000 sf building currently leased to Loews Theatre ($32 MM). Additionally Mr. Brod represented the buyer in a land assemblage of five buildings on 92nd Street and Third Avenue ($111 MM). Mr. Brod also completed five deals on behalf of Hickey Freeman and Samuelsohn, a luxury menswear manufacturer for two showrooms and four retail stores, two in New York City and two outside the city.
In 2017-18 Mr. Brod was appointed exclusive leasing agent for two Plaza District Buildings; 770 Lexington Avenue and 145 East 57th Street. The 770 project was successfully completed with the transformation and leasing of former retail multi-story space to one of the nation’s leading hospital groups; and to Verizon. At 145 East 57th , still a work in process, this Plaza District Building is being leased to leading private equity and family offices.
In 2018 Mr. Brod represented Merchants Hospitality in their purchase of The Z Hotel ($32.5 MM) a 100 room Hotel in Long Island City, NY.
In 2019 Mr. Brod was responsible for bringing a portfolio of commercial and residential properties consisting of over 37 properties and 200 tenants into ABS for both management and leasing. On behalf of Fedcap’s Easterseals group, Mr. Brod completed a long term 15,000 sf lease at L+M Development Partners’ newly constructed project on Story Avenue in the Bronx.
In 2019-20 Ethan Allen hired Mr. Brod as exclusive agent to sublease their 13,000 sf flagship at 915 Broadway. The assignment was successfully concluded in April 2020, during a citywide shutdown due to Covid-19. The lessee, Charles Schwab, completed a new direct lease at a longer term than Ethan Allen’s, this enabled Ethan Allen to mitigate 100% of their remaining lease liability.
Accolades and Affiliations
In August 2005, Real Estate Weekly named Mr. Brod as one of its “Top Deal Makers” in its 50th Anniversary edition. He was ranked among New York City’s “Top Brokers” several times by CoStar Group based on 2007, 2012, 2013 and 2015 retail leasing volume.
Mr. Brod serves on the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis advisory board at The George Washington University School of Business, where he also received a B.A. degree.
Mr. Brod is currently on the Plaza District and Sales Committees for Rebny.
Prior to joining the real estate industry Mr. Brod was President of Hammarplast USA a division of Perstorp AB; and Senior Consultant for Cegmark International a consultancy and management firm.
Responsibilities
Alan S. Cohen is responsible for developing and implementing strategies for lines of brokerage activity within ABS Partners which includes Landlord representation, Tenant representation, Investment Sales, advisory and Property Management.
Experience
Mr. Cohen is the Founder of Brighton Advisors LLC and brings a solid background in real estate to the ABS Partners Investment sales team. He has completed over $900 million dollars in investment sales and has represented Landlords and tenants in leasing activity throughout his career.
Over the last 9 years, he has been involved in the acquisition, financing and sale of properties including commercial office buildings, residential rental apartment buildings, hotels, shopping centers and development sites in New York City.
Awards & Affiliations
Mr. Cohen serves on the Executive Committee of ABS Partners, the Board of JCCA of Westchester as well on the Board of Governors of Brae Burn Country Club. Alan is also an active member of the Sales Brokers Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY).
Responsibilities
Jason Fein is a Partner of ABS Partners Real Estate where he focuses on acquisitions; investment syndication; investor relations; and asset management. In addition, he oversees the leasing and management for a number of NYC properties (commercial and multi-family). Daily, Mr. Fein and his partners guide business operations and strategic planning for the firm.
Experience
Mr. Fein joined ABS in 2007. Prior to joining ABS, Mr. Fein served as Chief Executive of Guidecraft Inc., an industry leader in the design, manufacture, importing and distribution of children’s educational toys and furniture. Under Mr. Fein’s twenty-one years of leadership, Guidecraft grew from a 9-member staff operating in a workshop in suburban NY to a multinational company, employing a staff of over 90 with offices in New York, Minnesota, Shanghai, China; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Bangkok, Thailand.
Awards and Affiliations
Mr. Fein is both a member of REBNY and the Cornell University Real Estate Council. He was also a Captain with the Hastings-on-Hudson Fire Department.
Education
Mr. Fein received both his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Professional Studies degrees from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.
Responsibilities
John Brod is particularly sought after for his focus on commercial office and retail tenant representation, agency services and lease negotiations. His experience covers tenant and owner representation throughout Manhattan and other major U.S. cities. Prior to ABS he was a founding partner of PBS Real Estate a leading boutique commercial real estate firm.
Experience
Since beginning his career at Edward S. Gordon in 1980, Mr. Brod has personally facilitated several billion dollars’ worth of office and retail leases. In the past 15 years alone, he has been responsible for leasing more than 30 million square feet of office and retail space in several of the most innovative transactions in New York City. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for over one million square feet of commercial office and retail leasing agency assignments.
The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) nominated Mr. Brod for its “Most Ingenious Deal of the Year” award five times, beginning in 1995 for a 200,000-square-foot Stroock & Stroock & Lavan lease at 180 Maiden Lane, and again in 1999 for a 22,000-square-foot Donna Karan retail lease on at 655 Madison Avenue; 2005, for a 25,000-square-foot Ecko Times Square flagship transaction; 2006, for a 30,000-square-foot Abercrombie & Fitch lease at 720 Fifth Avenue; and 2007, for Hollister’s 42,000-square-foot lease at Soho flagship property 600 Broadway.
Mr. Brod was responsible for the Joe Fresh rollout in 2011 to 2012 consisting of over five locations and 60,000 square feet including Joe Fresh’s flagship at 510 Fifth Avenue.
In 2012, Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of 105 Wooster Street, one of the largest retail condominiums at 40,000 square feet in Soho, which is currently the home of Room & Board. That same year, Mr. Brod again represented Donna Karan in its lease renewal at 655 Madison, where the retail had resided since 1999. This was the largest retail transaction on Madison Avenue. In 2015 Mr. Brod was hired by its current owner to re-market 105 Wooster Street.
In 2013 to 2014, Mr. Brod was the sole broker in the sale of 120 West Broadway, a 14,000-square-foot retail condominium anchored by HSBC and Citibank; and the two-buildings 152/4 Spring Street, which was purchased by Acadia Realty Trust, a publicly traded REIT.
In 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for leasing 915 Broadway’s retail space to Ethan Allen for their flagship store. Also in 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of a 14,000 square foot development site at 579 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY. In 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of the Lord Balfour Hotel in South Beach, Florida to an international hotel group.
In 2016 Mr. Brod represented both seller and purchaser for 10 Sullivan Street a retail condominium; and 66 Third Avenue a 35,000 sf building currently leased to Loews Theatre ($32 MM). Additionally Mr. Brod represented the buyer in a land assemblage of five buildings on 92nd Street and Third Avenue ($111 MM). Mr. Brod also completed five deals on behalf of Hickey Freeman and Samuelsohn, a luxury menswear manufacturer for two showrooms and four retail stores, two in New York City and two outside the city.
In 2017-18 Mr. Brod was appointed exclusive leasing agent for two Plaza District Buildings; 770 Lexington Avenue and 145 East 57th Street. The 770 project was successfully completed with the transformation and leasing of former retail multi-story space to one of the nation’s leading hospital groups; and to Verizon. At 145 East 57th , still a work in process, this Plaza District Building is being leased to leading private equity and family offices.
In 2018 Mr. Brod represented Merchants Hospitality in their purchase of The Z Hotel ($32.5 MM) a 100 room Hotel in Long Island City, NY.
So far in 2019: Mr. Brod has been responsible for bringing a portfolio of commercial and residential properties consisting of over 37 properties and 200 tenants into ABS for both management and leasing. On behalf of Fedcap’s Easterseals group, Mr. Brod completed a long term 15,000 sf lease at L+M Development Partners’ newly constructed project on Story Avenue in the Bronx.
Accolades and Affiliations
In August 2005, Real Estate Weekly named Mr. Brod as one of its “Top Deal Makers” in its 50th Anniversary edition. He was ranked among New York City’s “Top Brokers” several times by CoStar Group based on 2007, 2012, 2013 and 2015 retail leasing volume.
Mr. Brod serves on the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis advisory board at The George Washington University School of Business, where he also received a B.A. degree.
Mr. Brod is currently on the Plaza District and Sales Committees for Rebny.
Prior to joining the real estate industry Mr. Brod was President of Hammarplast USA a division of Perstorp AB; and Senior Consultant for Cegmark International a consultancy and management firm.
Responsibilities
Jason Fein is a Partner of ABS Partners Real Estate where he focuses on acquisitions; investment syndication; investor relations; and asset management. In addition, he oversees the leasing and management for a number of NYC properties (commercial and multi-family). Daily, Mr. Fein and his partners guide business operations and strategic planning for the firm.
Experience
Mr. Fein joined ABS in 2007. Prior to joining ABS, Mr. Fein served as Chief Executive of Guidecraft Inc., an industry leader in the design, manufacture, importing and distribution of children’s educational toys and furniture. Under Mr. Fein’s twenty-one years of leadership, Guidecraft grew from a 9-member staff operating in a workshop in suburban NY to a multinational company, employing a staff of over 90 with offices in New York, Minnesota, Shanghai, China; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Bangkok, Thailand.
Awards and Affiliations
Mr. Fein is both a member of REBNY and the Cornell University Real Estate Council. He was also a Captain with the Hastings-on-Hudson Fire Department.
Education
Mr. Fein received both his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Professional Studies degrees from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.
Responsibilities
James Caseley is an Executive Managing Director of ABS Partners Real Estate. He is responsible for the in-house review of rental conditions, supervising a portion of the brokerage team, and handling the leasing and management of a number of properties. Mr. Caseley specializes in repositioning commercial and industrial real estate to appeal to changing markets, particularly involving construction administration and lease negotiations. Utilizing knowledge from the extensive landlord representation, he has represented scores of commercial tenants in real estate transactions.
Experience
Mr. Caseley has 34 years experience in commercial real estate brokerage and management in New York City. Prior to joining ABS in 2005, Mr. Caseley served as Senior Managing Director at Newmark & Company Real Estate, Inc., where he was involved in the conversion of industrial loft buildings for office uses. In 1985, he opened Newmark’s Soho office, overseeing leasing in the local portfolio consisting of nearly 1,000,000 square feet. At the time, Mr. Caseley was a pioneer in the soon to emerge Soho Market. Over his career he has represented landlords in well over 20,000,000 sf of transactions.
Awards and Affiliations
Mr. Caseley is a member of REBNY, founding member and former Executive Committee member of the Village Alliance/8th Street BID, and the NoHo-NY BID. He has also served on the Clinton Land Use and Zoning Committee for Community Board #4 and is an active participant in REBNY committee meetings and a 2013 selectee to the REBNY Commercial Board of Directors.
Responsibilities
John Brod is particularly sought after for his focus on commercial office and retail tenant representation, agency services and lease negotiations. His experience covers tenant and owner representation throughout Manhattan and other major U.S. cities. Prior to ABS he was a founding partner of PBS Real Estate a leading boutique commercial real estate firm
Experience
Since beginning his career at Edward S. Gordon in 1980, Mr. Brod has personally facilitated several billion dollars’ worth of office and retail leases. In the past 15 years alone, he has been responsible for leasing more than 30 million square feet of office and retail space in several of the most innovative transactions in New York City. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for over one million square feet of commercial office and retail leasing agency assignments.
The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) nominated Mr. Brod for its “Most Ingenious Deal of the Year” award five times, beginning in 1995 for a 200,000-square-foot Stroock & Stroock & Lavan lease at 180 Maiden Lane, and again in 1999 for a 22,000-square-foot Donna Karan retail lease on at 655 Madison Avenue; 2005, for a 25,000-square-foot Ecko Times Square flagship transaction; 2006, for a 30,000-square-foot Abercrombie & Fitch lease at 720 Fifth Avenue; and 2007, for Hollister’s 42,000-square-foot lease at Soho flagship property 600 Broadway.
Mr. Brod was responsible for the Joe Fresh rollout in 2011 to 2012 consisting of over five locations and 60,000 square feet including Joe Fresh’s flagship at 510 Fifth Avenue.
In 2012, Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of 105 Wooster Street, one of the largest retail condominiums at 40,000 square feet in Soho, which is currently the home of Room & Board. That same year, Mr. Brod again represented Donna Karan in its lease renewal at 655 Madison, where the retail had resided since 1999. This was the largest retail transaction on Madison Avenue. In 2015 Mr. Brod was hired by its current owner to re-market 105 Wooster Street.
In 2013 to 2014, Mr. Brod was the sole broker in the sale of 120 West Broadway, a 14,000-square-foot retail condominium anchored by HSBC and Citibank; and the two-buildings 152/4 Spring Street, which was purchased by Acadia Realty Trust, a publicly traded REIT.
In 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for leasing 915 Broadway’s retail space to Ethan Allen for their flagship store. Also in 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of a 14,000 square foot development site at 579 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY. In 2015 Mr. Brod was responsible for the sale of the Lord Balfour Hotel in South Beach, Florida to an international hotel group.
In 2016 Mr. Brod represented both seller and purchaser for 10 Sullivan Street a retail condominium; and 66 Third Avenue a 35,000 sf building currently leased to Loews Theatre ($32 MM). Additionally Mr. Brod represented the buyer in a land assemblage of five buildings on 92nd Street and Third Avenue ($111 MM). Mr. Brod also completed five deals on behalf of Hickey Freeman and Samuelsohn, a luxury menswear manufacturer for two showrooms and four retail stores, two in New York City and two outside the city.
In 2017-18 Mr. Brod was appointed exclusive leasing agent for two Plaza District Buildings; 770 Lexington Avenue and 145 East 57th Street. The 770 project was successfully completed with the transformation and leasing of former retail multi-story space to one of the nation’s leading hospital groups; and to Verizon. At 145 East 57th , still a work in process, this Plaza District Building is being leased to leading private equity and family offices.
In 2018 Mr. Brod represented Merchants Hospitality in their purchase of The Z Hotel ($32.5 MM) a 100 room Hotel in Long Island City, NY.
In 2019 Mr. Brod was responsible for bringing a portfolio of commercial and residential properties consisting of over 37 properties and 200 tenants into ABS for both management and leasing. On behalf of Fedcap’s Easterseals group, Mr. Brod completed a long term 15,000 sf lease at L+M Development Partners’ newly constructed project on Story Avenue in the Bronx.
In 2019-20 Ethan Allen hired Mr. Brod as exclusive agent to sublease their 13,000 sf flagship at 915 Broadway. The assignment was successfully concluded in April 2020, during a citywide shutdown due to Covid-19. The lessee, Charles Schwab, completed a new direct lease at a longer term than Ethan Allen’s, this enabled Ethan Allen to mitigate 100% of their remaining lease liability.
Accolades and Affiliations
In August 2005, Real Estate Weekly named Mr. Brod as one of its “Top Deal Makers” in its 50th Anniversary edition. He was ranked among New York City’s “Top Brokers” several times by CoStar Group based on 2007, 2012, 2013 and 2015 retail leasing volume.
Mr. Brod serves on the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis advisory board at The George Washington University School of Business, where he also received a B.A. degree.
Mr. Brod is currently on the Plaza District and Sales Committees for Rebny.
Prior to joining the real estate industry Mr. Brod was President of Hammarplast USA a division of Perstorp AB; and Senior Consultant for Cegmark International a consultancy and management firm.