Douglas Elliman veteran Jeffrey Rothstein collected a lifetime achievement award at the annual REBNY Residential Deal of the Year awards last night (Thursday).
Rothstein received his award from last year’s winner, Stephen Kliegerman of Terra Holdings Development Marketing. It was presented ahead of a gala dinner and dance at the swanky Pierre Hotel attended by the city’s top brokers and apartment developers.
The event was a celebration of 25-years of residential deal-making. A proclamation from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg declared October 24, 2013 REBNY Residential Brokerage Division Day. Presented by Miriam Harris, executive vice president of real estate transactions at New York City’s Economic Development Corporation, the proclamation praised the residential brokerage division for its efforts in the last 25 years to bolster New York City’s residential real estate market.
A total of ten professionals were honored for their work and professional achievements. Heather Stein of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales, took first prize in the residential sales category.
Suzan Kremer of Douglas Elliman along with co-brokers Daniela Kunen of Douglas Elliman and J. Roger Erickson of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. took second prize.
Lisa Larson of Warburg Realty Partnership, Ltd. was the third prize winner.
For rentals, the first prize went to Judith Oston and Donald Correia along with co-broker Lisa Rosenstein of Halstead Property.
The Rookie Salesperson of the Year Award was presented to Vincent Smith of Halstead Property, LLC for his impressive entry into New York City’s residential real estate sales market.
Smith is recognized by his colleagues for being results driven, customer-focused and financially-savvy when working with clients to make their real estate goals a reality. He has served in executive capacities for a number of Manhattan Fortune 50 companies including American Express, Pfizer and Citibank.
At what is the biggest event of the year for REBNY’s residential brokerage division, special acknowledgment was also given to previous winners whose creativity and skill helped them overcome obstacles in order to close deals for condos, co-ops, brownstones and penthouses during both the real estate industry’s boom and bust cycles over the last 25 years.
Jeffrey Rothstein, who took home The Henry Forster Award for lifetime achievement – which is presented to an individual who has a long-standing reputation for excellence in residential real estate – is a top-producing agent who’s peers note also displays outstanding ethical conduct in the profession and contributes to cultural, charitable and community organizations outside and within the industry.
Rothstein serves as the executive vice president and director of sales for Douglas Elliman’s West Side offices. He is noted for growing Douglas Elliman’s West Side sales force to approximately 300 sales associates and staff members with insightful leadership, and for increasing its overall sales volume to exceed $1 billion consistently for the past eight years.
Steven Spinola, REBNY president, said, “The Residential Deal of the Year Awards recognizes the industry’s cream of the crop. After presenting these awards for 25 years, we thought it was important to mark this significant anniversary by honoring the trailblazers who have had a special part in creating the vibrant and highly-desirable residential market in New York City.”
The gala raised money for The REBNY Residential Member in Need Fund, which gives financial grants to REBNY members facing hardship because of a physical illness or a family crisis. Over the last 25 years, the event has raised more than $2 million for various charities.
Award winners are chosen anonymously through a judging committee. Only members of firms who have not submitted deal entries are allowed to judge.
