Douglas Elliman Launches New Division To Target Global Sports & Entertainment Community
Former sports and entertainment agent, Darren Weiner, spearheads innovative concept - with charitable component - to set new precedent in the real estate industry
May 11, 2015, 12:08 ET
NEW YORK, May 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Douglas Elliman Real Estate announces the launch of Douglas Elliman Sports & Entertainment, a new nationwide entity with global reach that will provide an elite level of real estate brokerage services for clients within the sports and entertainment industries, as well as ultra-high net worth parties. This highly specialized division, which has a charitable component, is the first of its kind to be created within a major real estate company. The division's presence under one cohesive brand has a global reach that is not bounded by states' or nations' borders.
Darren Weiner will shape the new group as its Managing Director, leveraging his existing client base which he built over the course of 20 years of representing professional athletes, coaches, broadcasters, sports team owners and celebrities in over 30 countries and across six continents. Weiner is a licensed real estate broker in several states including New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, Rhode Island and Utah.
The launch of Douglas Elliman Sports & Entertainment builds on the company's extensive history of working with professional athletes and celebrities, as well as its reputation for tending to their unique needs over the course of multiple transactions. During this year's NBA season, the firm partnered with the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden to brand the arena's most iconic 'real estate' as Douglas Elliman Celebrity Row.
"After many years of navigating celebrities and athletes through the specific needs associated with their real estate transactions, the formalization of a highly-specialized Sports & Entertainment division was a natural extension of our brand," said Dottie Herman, President& CEO of Douglas Elliman. "The addition of the network, experience and professionalism that Darren Weiner and the team of experts he's bringing to the division will further strengthen the power of the Douglas Elliman platform—resulting in an entirely new capability in the real estate industry. We look forward to their continued success."
In addition to the industry expertise these agents will bring the Sports & Entertainment division, they are also prepared to aptly service the global conditions of the current real estate landscape. Having lived in many key markets around the world, this multinational group includes native Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Farsi and Portuguese speakers.
Douglas Elliman Sports & Entertainment offers residential, and in select instances, commercial capabilities for buying, selling, and leasing property around the world. In addition to the division's client base of potential buyers and tenants, Douglas Elliman Sports & Entertainment also maintains deep relationships with owners of high-value real estate to serve as inventory providers.
"Douglas Elliman's Sports & Entertainment division marks an important milestone in the evolution of our business model," said Howard M. Lorber, Chairman of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. "Backed by our global alliance with Knight Frank Residential, spanning 55 countries, we are able to leverage the strength of our network and quickly adapt to the unique needs of our clients; executing the same level of service in each of our markets worldwide."
"Douglas Elliman Sports & Entertainment creates a real estate brokerage division specifically designed around public figures and high net worth clients' needs," said Weiner. "Our background in sports, entertainment and real estate makes our clients feel comfortable and protected. They can enjoy a personalized level of service along with the benefits of the extensive national platform and global network of Douglas Elliman."
Douglas Elliman Sports & Entertainment is also highlighted by its unique social responsibility platform geared toward helping those with life threatening diseases, primarily cancers. Weiner, who survived adult leukemia, credits his treatment success to an anonymous bone marrow donor, and contributes a significant portion of transactions within his division to various charitable organizations that support similar initiatives.
"I was given a second chance at life as a result of the ultimate kindness and generosity of a complete stranger, as well as countless others," said Weiner. "For that reason, and because I understand the challenges and suffering of those affected by cancer on the most personal level, it is immensely important for me give back in this way. I am fortunate to have found a partner like Douglas Elliman that feels the same and joins me in supporting these initiatives."
About Douglas Elliman Real Estate:
Established in 1911, Douglas Elliman Real Estate is the largest brokerage in the New York Metropolitan area with over 80 offices in New York City, Long Island, the Hamptons, and Westchester/Putnam across a network of over 5,700 agents. Consistently ranked among the top four residential real estate companies nationwide since 2007, Douglas Elliman has a significant presence in South Florida, Beverly Hills, Connecticut, and Aspen. Moreover, Douglas Elliman has a strategic international global alliance with London-based Knight Frank LLP for residential business in the worldwide luxury markets spanning 55 countries and six continents. The company also controls a portfolio of real estate services, including Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, Manhattan's largest residential property manager, Douglas Elliman Property Management, DE Commercial, and DE Title. For more information on Douglas Elliman as well as expert commentary on emerging trends in the real estate industry, please visit www.elliman.com.
SOURCE Douglas Elliman Real Estate