Mary Ann Tighe, Steven Spinola, Leonard Litwin, Burt Resnick and Scott Stringer, Photo by Steve Friedman
Leonard Litwin and Burton Resnick, two industry giants, now have something else in common: both of their names will forever be connected to rooms at The Real Estate Board of New York.
REBNY dedicated a classroom and a conference room in their midtown office at 570 Lexington Avenue to celebrate the careers of these two standouts of the New York City real estate industry.
Litwin, REBNY’s Secretary since 1991, became a member in 1980 and was elected to the Board of Governors in 1985.
Resnick first became a member of the Board of Governors in 1979, and has served as Chairman of the Board from 1989 to 1991 and 2001 to 2003.
“The real estate industry can never appropriately thank these two extraordinary gentlemen for all they have done for their colleagues and their city,” Steven Spinola, REBNY President, said at the dedication. “REBNY offers a small attempt at a thank you through our dedication of two rooms named in their honor.”
“I also want to thank all of the contributors whose donations made these rooms possible,” he added. “Their kindness is a true testament to how influential these men have been for real estate.”
Photos by Steve Friedman
More than 100 people came out to join in the dedication ceremony including several public officials: Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Carolyn Maloney, Scott Stringer, Manhattan borough president, and Christine Quinn, speaker of the City Council. Also in attendance was Mary Ann Tighe, chair of REBNY, and other real estate leaders such as Leonard Boxer, Leslie Wohlman Himmel, Samuel Lindenbaum, Stephen Ross, Bill Rudin, and Hal Fetner.
Attendees congratulated both men and saw a slide show of their memorable moments throughout the years.
The Leonard Litwin Classroom is a state-of-the-art teaching facility in the Bernard H. Mendik Real Estate Education Center on the lower level at REBNY.
“Being around Litwin is like living in a classroom. He has all the qualities that people in the real estate industry should strive to have and that they would want to have,” said Gary Jacob of Glenwood Management.
Litwin thanked everyone and was very impressed by the room’s theme of Central Park.
“I was surprised and thrilled to see the beautiful scenery on either side of the room,” Litwin said. “One of the greatest reasons why I really want to thank you is that the Litwin name will go down forever and a day with the Real Estate Board of New York.”
The Burton P. Resnick Conference Room, which was beautifully renovated and displays photos and awards, is adjacent to REBNY’s reception area on the second floor.
“I am just thrilled to be associated for a long time with my silent partner,” said Resnick, referring to Litwin, at the dedication. “I am also thrilled to join the leaders of this industry with having our names on a room, joining Harry [Helmsley], Seymour [Durst] and Bernie [Mendik]. Now my friend Lenny and I are in that category.”
“Lenny Litwin doesn’t just build buildings,” Mr. Spinola said. “He builds homes that people are proud to live in. He builds new neighborhoods that add to the desirability and livability of our great city.”
“Burt Resnick understands the issues facing every aspect of our industry,” he added. “He has had the guts to openly take on corrupt labor practices, higher taxes and inappropriate behavior in our industry.”
Stringer described the duo as “outstanding New Yorkers” and said, “These two young men are just getting started. They have so much more to contribute to the city.”
The architect of the project was Joan Popkin, ASD of JDP Interior Design of Chappaqua, New York. She also designed the Bernard H. Mendik Board Room.
