Mr Robert Futterman
Robert K. Futterman is the President of Futterman Realty. He is one of the most recognized names in the commercial real estate industry in New York. He has demonstrated expertise in leasing vertical multitenant retail projects and revitalizing commercial neighborhoods.
| Mr Robert Futterman | |
|---|---|
 Robert_Futterman.jpg Robert Futterman | |
| Born | 1958/12/14 Jericho, New York |
| 🏡 Residence | New York, New York |
| 🏳️ Nationality | American |
| Other names | Robert K. Futterman |
| 🎓 Alma mater | University of Maryland |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| RobertFutterma3 | |
| Robert-Futterman-108653125112497 | |
| robertkfutterman | |
Early Life[edit]
Born in Jericho, New York on December 14, 1958. His father was a manufacturer and a businessman named Louis Futterman. His mother, Rosalie Futterman, was a painter. Futterman was raised on Long Island and moved to Maryland for his college degree.
Education[edit]
Robert Futterman attended the University of Maryland. He wanted to work in the music industry after graduating. Futterman wanted to get in the business of concert promotion. He developed an interest in the field after working as a promoter during his university. Futterman even represented his university in negotiations for a concert. He was discouraged from pursuing a career in the music industry because it was rapidly changing. No one was certain about the industry’s future. MTV had just been founded and people thought that the concert industry would go under. Disillusioned, Futterman dropped out of college and moved to California.
Career[edit]
In California, Robert Futterman decided to sell ice cream at one of the country’s largest beaches, Zuma Beach. The job was not satisfying for someone who was a natural salesperson with limitless potential. In 1983, an unsatisfied Futterman returned to New York. Here he started working as a Canvasser at Garrick-Aug[1], a leading real estate firm, that specialized in commercial real estate. This is how Futterman got his start in the real estate business for what was going to be a long and illustrious career.
As a canvasser, Robert Futterman would walk around New York, searching for retail spaces that landlords would be interested in leasing out. For this work, Futterman earned $250 per week. With the first few months, Futterman had generated 200 leads for Garrick-Aug. Impressed by his capabilities, he was promoted to salesman. In this position, he was able to put his natural talents to good use[2]. A people’s person and a salesman, Futterman closed 18 deals in his first year. He quickly earned the admiration of his colleagues. Many tried to recreate his success but only a few were successful. In 1993, Futterman was promoted as the managing director of Garrick-Aug, in this role, he oversaw the firm’s New York City operations.
The time spent at Garrick-Aug prepared him for the next step of his journey, this time going solo[3]. His solo journey gave him the freedom to conduct business on his own rules. He started to work with landlords and tenants. His farsightedness proved to be an asset. He focused on developing long-term relationships with tenants and landlords. This is how he was successfully able to lease out multitenant retail spaces. Futterman is the top choice for developers and landlords. Some of the biggest companies that he has worked with include Taconic Investment Partners, The Carlyle Group, Forest City Ratner Companies, Fisher Brothers, RFR Realty, Glenwood Management, Hines, Apollo Real Estate Advisors, Vornado Realty Trust, Milstein Properties, Morgan Stanley, SJP Properties, and MetLife.
As a result of his longstanding relationship with developers, he has been able to secure the role of leasing agent for some of the biggest retail projects in Manhattan. He is often credited with revitalizing the Grand Central Terminal, despite significant criticism that retail spaces were not a viable option for GCT. His relationships with some of the biggest retailers have secured him the spot for the most sought-after leasing agent.
He worked managed to get Rockefeller Center two big tenants, Anthropologie and Brasserie Ruhlmann. Futterman was also consulted for the Time Warner Center at the Columbus Circle, where he played a crucial role in its success. For this project, he leased out 347,000 square feet of property to retailers like Williams-Sonoma, Sephora, and Hugo Boss. Other notable retailers that Futterman has represented include, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, J. Crew, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Guess, Urban Outfitters, GAP, Forever 21, Tourneau, Anthropologie, Adidas, and Apple Computers[3].
For Apple Computers, he helped the company secure its retail space in the General Motors Building, playing a role in the iconic glass building of Apple’s flagship store in Midtown Manhattan. Notably, Futterman is also credited with breathing life into entire New York neighbourhoods, including Union Square South, SoHo, 34th Street/Herald Square, Times Square, Meatpacking District, and Columbus Circle.
Robert Futterman has been in the business since 1983 and since then he has been personally involved in transactions that have exceeded $10 billion[4].
Public Advisory[edit]
Robert Futterman’s successes in the retail real estate industry have earned him respect as a trusted advisor. He has advised the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the development of the World Trade Center. The Metropolitan Authority brought him on as an advisor for the revamp of the Grand Central Terminal. He is also frequently requested to give lectures about the industry. He has spoken at the Columbia Graduate School of Business, NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association, and the Urban Land Institute.
Awards[edit]
Robert Futterman has earned several awards, including:
- 2010 The Deal That Most Benefits Manhattan (REBNY): brokering the deal for the Upper East Side’s first new grocery store in thirty years, the Fairway Like No Other Market
- 2009 Most Creative Retail Deal of the Year (REBNY): leasing a large retail space at The Times Square Building for a multi-level entertainment area
- 2005 Most Creative Retail Deal of the Year (REBNY): brokering the deal between Apple Computers for their flagship store at the General Motors Building.
- 2001 Retail Deal of the Year (REBNY): securing a lease for Ethan Allen’s flagship store at 101 West End Avenue
