| We weren’t sure what to expect from the headlining “Massey vs Knakal” during yesterday’s AREW lunch at Club 101. A head-to-head match? More like a match of heads, as Massey Knakal chair Bob Knakal and CEO Paul Massey discussed the genesis and evolution behind their successful 26-year partnership that started when they were new investment brokers at CBRE in the ‘80s. (For the record, Paul can count on one hand how many times they’ve squabbled. The above's really a fist bump.) One of the big steps was learning how to chase their strengths—Bob as the originator andspokesman, and Paul as the day-to-day manager and organizer(“He makes more lists than anyone else I know,” says Bob). Together, they formed Massey Knakal’s successful territory system, which paired with their landlord rep and building-sales-only platform, has given the firm a strategic advantage with clients. |
| The execs, in their first moderated discussion together, with AREW prez Debra Cole of Perkins+Will and moderator Ellen Albert, SVP of planning and design for Viacom/MTVN. The duo also discussed theirgrowth strategy, including the expansion of the Massey Knakal template into the outerborough areas and its newest venture, a retail leasing arm. Bob says going forward we have to look at the two Vs:value and volume. We’re clearly past bottom on the latter, but value actually dropped in ’10. Even so, expect to see some appreciation this year. He says they don’t believe the market will get materially better without enhanced fundamentals, and for that we need employment growth of 100,000 to 150,000 jobs per month just to keep up with the population increase. They’re optimistic, butcautiously so, he concluded. |
| We didn’t get the memo about red and black yesterday, but Cross Management’s Connie Klube, B.R. Fries’ & Associates’ Diane Cramer, Novo Arts’ Marlaina Deppe, and AXA Advisors’ Sheila Soufian did (all unplanned, they swear). A hot commodities tipfrom Marlaina: buy rubber. The West Village resident says she’sretreading all of her boots with tires this year. Maybe all of this red is enough to melt the snow. Not so fast—Diane wants some more of the white stuff before she heads up to Stratton Mountain for some skiing later this month. Note: she didn't say this too loud. |
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