One of the Capital’s most well-known and respected leasing agents, Brendan Owen, is returning to the brokerage business by joining Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) to bolster its position in the Washington, D.C., market.
“We are expanding the firm with the best-in-class across all disciplines and our efforts are paying off,” said NGKF CEO Barry Gosin. “Brendan, and other execs of his caliber, recognize NGKF’s unique value proposition, not only for clients but for themselves.”
Mr. Owen hails from Vornado/Charles E. Smith, the D.C. division of Vornado Realty Trust, a fully integrated Real Estate Investment Trust (NYSE:VNO), where he cemented an impressive track record as Chief Leasing Officer. For seven years, he was responsible for the lease up of Vornado’s approximately 20-million-square-foot portfolio in the D.C. metropolitan region. Prior to that, Mr. Owen spent 17 years at CBRE successfully directing over 550 leasing transactions totaling more than 11 million square feet.
“NGKF offers the ideal platform for my return to the brokerage business, including its well-reputed leadership, powerhouse ranking in New York and its far-reaching resources through its parent, BGC Partners,” said Mr. Owen.
“Leaving Vornado was a difficult decision since the company provided fantastic opportunities to work on all sorts of complex and creative transactions,” Mr. Owen continued. “But, equally, NGKF offers fantastic opportunities for personal development. I’m excited to bolster the company’s presence in D.C., and leverage the NGKF platform, while collaborating with our talented brokers, capital markets team and corporate services advisors.”
Mr. Owen will oversee all asset services in the region for NGKF as Executive Vice President and will lead the company’s growth efforts on the agency side of the business. Mr. Gosin noted Mr. Owen’s hiring sends a message and is “a big coup” for NGKF; it is a model example of the firm’s commitment to the D.C. market by actively acquiring and recruiting talented professionals following its acquisition by BGC.
“With sights on building the agency representation business, we were looking for the market leader and found that in Brendan. The timing was perfect,” said Mr. Gosin. “We will now redouble our efforts to make NGKF a leader in the region.”
The company’s expansion is driven by a combination of strategy and opportunity, Mr. Gosin said. It was approximately a year ago when BGC Partners acquired the U.S. business of Newmark and the former assets of Grubb & Ellis to form Newmark Grubb Knight Frank. Early this year, BGC acquired regional powerhouses in the greater Philadelphia and Denver regions. In addition to the acquisitions, NGKF has hired more than 150 professionals across all disciplines.
Mr. Owen, a member of numerous real estate organizations, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. He will continue with Vornado through May 10, and starts immediately thereafter with NGKF.
About Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with its affiliates and London-based partner Knight Frank, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank employs more than 11,000 professionals, operating from more than 340 offices in established and emerging property markets on five continents.
With roots dating back to 1929, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank’s strong foundation makes it one of the most trusted names in commercial real estate. Its integrated services platform includes leasing advisory, global corporate services, investment sales and capital markets, consulting, program and project management, property and facilities management, and valuation services. A major force in the real estate marketplace, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank serves the local and global property requirements of tenants, landlords, investors and developers worldwide. For further information, visit www.newmarkkf.com.
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is a part of BGC Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: BGCP), a leading global brokerage company primarily servicing the wholesale financial and real estate markets. For further information, visit www.bgcpartners.com.