Grotto merges with Colliers ABR, Inc.

In a move that brings added leadership and expertise to its already formidable real estate talent base, Colliers ABR, line, has announced that the three principals of J. Grotto & Associates -- Joseph A. Grotto and his sons Joseph Jr. and John -- have joined the, company. The two senior Grottos are partners in the firm.

The 18-year-old Grotto firm, which specialized in commercial real estate brokerage and consulting, closed its New York office on Feb. 1.

"This is a wonderful fit for our company because the Grotto family not only brings us exceptional real estate knowledge and experience, but they personify the same commitment to honesty, integrity and professionalism that has characterized our firm since its inception," stated Colliers ABR Chairman Mark Boisi.

The senior Grotto, who has been named a Colliers vice chairman, began his real estate career at Brown Harris Stevens (BHS) in the late 1950's and ultimately served as president of that firm from 1972 to 1986, before leaving to form J. Grotto & Associates. Ironically, he is now being reunited with his long-time BHS partner, Colliers ABR vice chairman Stephen J. Riker.

A graduate of Princeton University, where he earned a B.A. in Economics, Grotto, who brokered the million-SF lease to Ebasco Industries in 1969 that paved the way for the construction of 1 Penn Plaza and has leased or sold over 10 million SF of real estate during his career, is one of the industry's most honored executives.

In addition to the "Young Man of the Year Award" (1970), "Realty Man of the Year" (1983) and the "Louis Smadbeck Broker Recognition Award" (1993), Grotto was also the co-winner of the 1972 REBNY "Most Ingenious Deal of the Year" award, and together with his son Joseph Jr., won the 1994 REBNY "Robert T. Lawrence Memorial Award," the first father and son team ever to be so honored.

Joseph Grotto, Jr. who will serve as a senior managing director at Colliers ABR, also began his real estate career at Brown Harris Stevens, where he acted as broker/consultant to such prominent clients as Sumitomi Bank, the NYC Transit Authority, Burson-Marsteller, Inc. and Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn. At J. Grotto & Associates, which he co-founded, he was responsible for over a million SF of leasing transactions and well over $100 million worth of sales and consulting assignments. He graduated Denison University in Granville, Ohio, with a BA in Economics.

John C. Grotto, who has been named a director at Colliers ABR, is a retail and office leasing specialist who has successfully served as both a tenant's representation as well as a landlord's exclusive leasing agent.

Among his clients are New York Life Insurance Company, SK Global, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, The Andy Warhol Foundation, the Walt Disney Motion Picture Group and The Catholic Archdiocese of New York. He is a graduate of Ithaca College.

A member of REBNY as well as a former governor and chairman of many of its committees, the senior Grotto is also a former vice president and governor of the Princeton Club of New York, a former director of the American Savings Bank, former director of the East Side Association and served as vice president and director of the Realty Foundation of New York for a quarter century.

Both Joseph Jr. and John Grotto are members of REBNY and the Young Men's/Women's Real Estate Association of New York.