At first glance, it's easy to understand why Brenda S. Powers is among the most successful brokers in the New York City real estate market. Take her professional track record as an example. For the past ten years, she has maintained a consistent position as one of the top brokers in sales volume in New York City, achieving some of the highest paid prices per square foot for high end properties. Then there's her personality—a most attractive blend of vivacity, openness and energy overlaid with a sophisticated European charm. Add to all this a reputation for integrity and discretion, an encyclopedic knowledge of real estate, and a finely honed talent for negotiation, and you have the encapsulated version of this consummate sales professional. But it goes much deeper than that. Ask Brenda to what she attributes her success, and she immediately reflects on what she terms her “global perspective.” She was born in Winnipeg, Canada, but had the opportunity to travel the world as her father was a Foreign Affairs diplomat for the Swiss government. From Africa to South America, from the United States to Europe, Brenda has lived in Rabat, Bordeaux, London, Sierra Leone, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo…the list goes on. So it's no wonder that she speaks five languages. This exposure to different customs coupled with her sensitivity to cultural preferences has allowed her to develop an unerring instinct for matching property to purchaser. In addition, this cosmopolitan upbringing has engendered a comfort level with clients that include the glitterati of the world—from celebrities and heads of state to Wall Street moguls and captains of industry. Brenda is also quick to acknowledge the role her mentor—her partner, Elizabeth Lee Sample—has played, and still does throughout her career. This association together with her innate marketing savvy and gift for PR has inspired her to produce rich and creative marketing materials for her clients—beautiful brochures, compelling ads—everything that will showcase her properties to their best advantage. Another key to Brenda's success is her rare understanding of today's luxury residential market, its clientele, and the tangible elements it comprises—the imported finishes, the fine craftsmanship, the rare and exotic materials. Somewhat of a visionary, she has her finger on the pulse of future trends and future needs, enabling her to search out the most sought after and “hottest” deals of the day. Together with her partner of 14 years, Elizabeth Lee Sample, an example of her considerable real estate accomplishments includes the following: - She represented the purchaser of the largest residential sale at The Plaza in New York City—a triplex and duplex combined to create a residence of approximately 10,000 square feet on the corner of 5th Avenue and Central Park South. - In 2007, she was responsible for $60,000,000 in closed or under contract transactions at Time Warner Center. - She has the distinction of selling what was then the most important residential sale in the history of New York City real estate. This triplex penthouse at the Pierre Hotel, 795 Fifth Avenue, was also the highest price paid for a coop in the 20th century. - She was the exclusive broker for the sellers (a prominent South American family) in the sale of a 15,000 square foot penthouse to a major celebrity. The famous Galleria Quadruplex was on the market for 15 years and was sold in six months. - She was the exclusive agent for 25-27 Beekman Place, a 40-foot-wide single-family townhouse converted into seven luxurious pre-war condominium apartments with terraces overlooking the East River. - She was the exclusive representative for the European American Bank in the disposition of the Montauk Marina Resort & Yacht Club in Long Island, New York. - She was the exclusive representative on the sale of The Pines Resort in the Catskills. - She represented the owners of Brown Harris Stevens in the leasing of the headquarters office located in the famous Bank Building at 27 Main Street in East Hampton. Brenda holds a Bachelors Degree from the Academy of Bordeaux in France and graduated from the Centre International de Glion in Switzerland with a degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. Her interests and hobbies cover the gamut from the stock market and horseback riding, to spinning and cooking. Walking her golden retriever on Georgica in Wainscott is one of her greatest pleasures. A fascinating and eclectic background, international education and a passionate dedication to every aspect of the real estate business has positioned Brenda S. Powers as one of the movers and shakers of New York real estate today.
