Bellmarc is jumping aboard the Coldwell Banker train and becoming a franchise member.
The two companies announced last week they will be partnering up to become Coldwell Banker Bellmarc with five office locations in Manhattan.
Bellmarc principal Neil Binder said he and co-owners Anthony DeGrotta and Larry Friedman envisioned growing their company through a partnership with Coldwell Banker.
“Our company history is rooted in providing professional service to our clients and customers throughout the many neighborhood offices we have in Manhattan,” said Binder, who will serve as president of Coldwell Banker Bellmarc Group. “We saw Coldwell Banker as a logical extension of our desire to be the best in the business.ˮ
Last November, Bellmarc announced it had acquired residential brokerage firm A.C. Lawrence, and that both companies would maintain their brand identities, while utilizing the capabilities and technology of the other.
The new partnership will be the first Coldwell Banker franchise in Manhattan since Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy shut its doors at the start of the recession in 2009 and some 200 agents from its five offices found themselves looking for new brokers.
In a statement, Budge Huskey, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, said the partnership with Bellmarc marked “a historic day for the Coldwell Banker brand.”
Huskey added, “We took great care in identifying the right company to award a Manhattan franchise. Throughout the process we were extremely impressed with Neil, Anthony and Larry and their shared vision for growing the Coldwell Banker brand and our Previews® luxury marketing program in this gateway city.”
Workers could be seen installing new blue awnings with “Coldwell Banker Bellmarc” printed on them at the new 48 West 22nd Street office on the day the companies announced the new venture.
Binder said he considered Coldwell Banker to be “the premier international real estate brand with incredible reachˮ into such Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
He added, “We are proud that they viewed us as a worthy partner in serving the Manhattan residential market.
“Larry, Anthony and I will continue to operate our company and we are enthused about the strategic growth plan we have in place. We are confident that our association with Coldwell Banker will allow us to better serve our agents, reach domestic and international consumers through the amazing resources and tremendous referral network offered by Coldwell Banker.”
