PROFILE OF THE WEEK: THE HUNTER REALTY ORGANIZATION, LLC.

Hunter Realty creates 'one-stop-shop' niche

Insight and anticipation are tow of the guiding principles that have contributed to the rapid success of The Hunter Realty Organization, LLC in little over two years. As long-term real estate veterans, each of the firm's principals has encountered virtually every discipline within the industry and brought an enormous range of individual talents and expertise to Hunter.

But what makes this company truly unique is how CEO Peter E. Sabesan, CFO Richard I. Selig, and COO James A. Pirot have recreated the concept of full-service by including a mix of services under one banner that are truly relevant to today's office tenants. Current divisions include Hunter Realty, the leasing and management division that is the cornerstone of the organization; Hunter New Media, dedicated to that category's specialized space needs; Hunter Construction for build-outs, design and construction management; and Hunter Maintenance Services.

"Peter and I started the business as exclusive tenant representatives, but once we located the space and the leases were signed, the relationships didn't just end there," says Selig. "We found this especially true with New Media companies, many of which were startups and lacked experience in dealing with contractors, office management, utilities, landlords, you name it. So he kept adding services to accommodate this new, younger market. Of course, the benefits were inherent for our more traditional clients, as well."

With professional backgrounds that include 20 years each with the Helmsley Organization, the principals of Hunter bring keen insight to any transaction from both the owner's and tenant's perspectives. Moreover, every assignment is viewed as a partnership, and worked on as a team. Upon reviewing a client's needs, a group is assigned to provide the appropriate services, with one of the principals always participating as Team Leader.

"We grew up together in the industry," points out Pirot about colleagues Sabesan and Selig. "Our ability to work as a team has a long history of success and that attitude is projected to the people we work for and to those who work for us. It also creates an environment where we efficiently bring complementary services together on behalf of the client.

"When Hunter Realty leases a space, Hunter Construction can immediately follow-up and build it. We are expediting the office process in a convenient 'one-stop shop' mode."

From the initial search for office space to the signing of the lease, followed by build-outs through office management, Hunter expedites the process throughout the life of the lease.

Together, Sabesan and Selig have leased in excess of 6 million square feet of office space in Manhattan. Founding Hunter Realty was a natural segue, having worked with each other for so many years at Helmsley. Today, they manage nine active brokers and are the leasing agents for two important Class-A buildings owned and managed by S.L. Green: 1412 Broadway and 1466 Broadway. Not long after startup, former Helmsley colleague Pirot joined Sabesan and Selig as the third principal and added, yet, another important dimension to the firm.

Shortly after opening the downtown office at 61 Broadway, the Internet market exploded and Hunter Realty was there to catch the sparks. The New Media Division was established to create stronger relationships with the members of this category at the very outset; not only aiding them in their search for space, but with contacts for capital and business plans. In addition, Hunter provides management services to ensure these businesses operate smoothly.

Whether leasing in the Apparel District or helping dot-com firms triple their office space, Hunter Realty and Hunter New Media react swiftly to the ever-changing needs of the real estate market.

Depending upon a client's requirements, Hunter Construction acts as construction manager or general contractor. Headed by James Pirot, Hunter's team of experienced professionals is capable of supervising and implementing a wide range of construction projects, from a small interior renovation through the redevelopment of a building's infrastructure.

Hunter Construction prides itself on serving clients not only on a fee basis, but also on the design and phasing of the actual project. From inception, Hunter's participation mirrors the commitment of a partner, working closely with owners, architects and engineers to produce "project tight" specifications and budget details. Hunter brings an extra measure of service and expertise to every project because of its past experience acting on behalf of building owners. "We are equally focused on the practicality and the economics," adds Pirot.

Recognizing that few areas of building management afford more opportunity for cost cutting than maintenance, Hunter started its own division to provide expert maintenance services 24-hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. As a part of a firm that includes asset and property management, Hunter Maintenance provides the services that tenants need and does so cost-effectively.

Hunter Maintenance provides such services as complete building maintenance, janitorial care, floor waxing, carpet cleaning, lavatory cleaning, exterminating, construction cleanup, wall washing, lighting maintenance, marble and stone restoration, wood furniture cleaning, and porter and matron services to commercial and institutional facilities throughout the tri-state area.

When asked what future plans are in store for the firm, the three principals concur the only guarantee is that there will always be changes predicated upon fluctuations in the office market. Selig believes that the niche-oriented Garment Center will be populated by many different industries and New Media will cease to be a separate category with specialized requirements, but will, instead, be regarded as just another office tenant. He also insists that the hallowed hubs of commerce south of Sixty-second Street will continue to flourish - and The Hunter Realty Organization, LLC will be there to provide whatever services are needed.