The real estate industry lost a visionary leader this week with the passing of Clark Halstead. As a founder of Halstead Property, he was instrumental in its development and success. Prior to Halstead Property, Clark’s contributions included his pivotal role as a co-founder of Sotheby's International Realty, where he headed the Manhattan division and served as Director and Senior Vice President. Clark's influence also included his work with the residential division of The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., where he served as Governor on the Board of Governors and championed innovation and progress. His dedication and legacy will be remembered and celebrated. 

Several Brown Harris Stevens Agents and Executives, as well as real estate industry leaders, came together to share their memories of Clark. Here is what they had to say. 

“Clark is so much of who I am personally and professionally. He was a true mentor, role model, and most importantly, friend. I know he’s meant so much to so many people and to know that is comforting in this very sad time.”

- Chris Halstead, BHS Executive Sales Director, Connecticut
Nephew of Clark Halstead

  

“Clark was a remarkable individual whose career was marked by excellence, innovation, and a genuine passion for his work. Many at our company had the privilege of working with him and were deeply impacted by his leadership and vision. Even for those who didn’t work with him directly, his contributions and the respect he garnered speak volumes. His legacy will continue to inspire us, and our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him.”

- Bess Freedman, BHS CEO

  

“Clark Halstead was a true pioneer of the new residential brokerage model where property management and brokerage were no longer connected. Clark belongs with the group of founders including Alice Mason, Edward Lee Cave, and Barbara Corcoran. I first met Clark in 1985 when he was starting Halstead and was interested in leasing a west side, ground floor brokerage office from us. After the purchase of Brown Harris Stevens in 1995, Clark and I would get together once a year to talk shop. He knew and I knew that one day he would sell his firm, as the industry was quickly changing. When the time came that Clark wanted to sell, we moved quickly. Clark was always a great partner and outstanding person. We at Brown Harris Stevens, and the entire NYC brokerage industry, will miss him.”

- William Zeckendorf
Co-Founder, Brown Harris Stevens
Multi-Generational Real Estate Developer

  

“Without a doubt Clark was a beyond important leader in our industry. Along with our beloved Diane Ramirez, he built a great company which is now a welcomed and integral part of BHS. On a personal note, I began as Clark’s assistant at Sotheby’s and I learned so much from him. He will always be remembered and revered.”

- Hall Willkie, NYC President

  

“There are no words to express the deep sorrow I feel with the passing of my dear friend, business partner and mentor, Clark P. Halstead. He was a legend and trail blazer in our residential real estate industry. His illustrious career was renowned and he helped to bring us into the 21st Century through his sales and marketing acumen. His gentlemanly charm was felt by all. He will forever remain in my heart with true affection and gratitude.”

- Diane Ramirez, Former CEO & Founding Partner of Halstead

  

“I had the great fortune to be invited to join Clark’s original Upper West Side Office in the mid 1980’s. In addition to myself Clark recruited Ami Schulman, Joe Truglio, Christopher Wilson, Alejandra Aleman and Robby Browne among others, for what later became known the Wild West. From our very first day, we all understood that Clark was a true visionary in the world of real estate. He introduced us to computers, marketing and dressing for success. A little known fact, is that Clark was the model for the legendary “man in the Hathaway shirt advertisement”.

He was our mentor, with a great sense of humor, honesty and kindness. His goal was to grow the company and under his guidance we broke all records. Clark created a wonderful culture in our office, he imported the iconic London Taxi Cab so that we could take clients from showing to showing! It was in this office that Robby Browne and I made our first deal together as a team- 239 CPW 6B. Clark invited me to oversee the Upper West Side Office as a sales manager. Director of sales which I was honored. I then was blessed to work with Al Hughes and our beloved Diane Ramirez - what a treat that lasted five years. Clark’s influence stayed with us throughout our careers - Robby Browne always wore a shirt and tie. I am emotional writing this as both my mentor and partner are no longer with us. I am so fortunate to have had both in my life.”

- Maria Pashby, BHS Agent, East Side Office
Former Sales Director at Halstead

  

“I had the pleasure of working with and getting to know Clark when my firm was acquired by Halstead in 2004. The fact that he was a visionary about what a real estate company could be in New York - using marketing, technology, local storefront offices on major avenues - was well known. What I didn’t know about him until I met him is the word that keeps coming to mind when I think about Clark: Gentlemen. Clark truly embodied the idea of treating people well and leading by example - and that legacy permeated throughout Halstead. We truly cared for people and strove to do what was right- not to what was necessarily to our advantage. Clark set that standard. I am certain that Clark’s legacy lives on in all the lives he touched.”

- Richard Grossman, Industry Executive
Former Halstead President

 
 

“Clark had a warmth of human spirit and creativity not many people have - a pied piper of sorts. As an industry innovator and influencer, he was a man of many "firsts". With imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, he was often flattered. For many years Clark was a pillar of our Manhattan real estate community and he has left an indelible mark.”

- John Wollberg, Industry Executive
Former Managing Director of Sales, Halstead

 
 

“A perfect gentleman and if you wanted to know anything about your deal or Residential Real Estate in general he knew the answer. He was smart a whip!”

-Alan Kersner, BHS COO, EVP, CFO

 
 

“Although his name was on the door, it was never about him. It was always about those who made up the Company. The staff who he always respected and noted were the ones who made everything work, it was about his partners the agents, the income producers. It was about providing them with cutting edge tools so they could compete at the highest level. It was about making the industry more collaborative and better. He was about family. He introduced so many initiatives to the industry, co-broking, computers, extraordinary marketing from the London taxis to radio shows and so many others. Simply, he made a difference. He was self-deprecating. He never took himself too seriously. He took the Company seriously because it supported so many. He viewed his responsibility to them as imperative. He made us better. He was honest with us, he supported us, he led with goodness and he left us with a drive to care and be better.”

- Michael Goldenberg, BHS Managing Consultant, West Side

  

“Clark created the idea for Halstead Real Estate on the back of a napkin (he pridefully told me) and pitched it to the head of an investment group over lunch in 1984. With their investment, he open the first office on Madison Ave and 82 street, expanded to the West Side in 1986 and then to SoHo in 1987. By the time I joined in early 1991, the company was recognized as one of the leaders in New York Real Estate. To my knowledge, he was the first to introduce computers to the industry. On a personal level, he gave me an opportunity at a difficult time in my life and it has turned into a thirty year career. As I often told him, I could never thank him enough!”

- Al Hughes, BHS Controller

  

“Clark Halstead was a friend, a mentor, an innovator and an inspiration for hundreds who choose a career in real estate. Clarks passion for sales and marketing led the way to numerous marketing concepts still in use today which were copied by all his competitors. Clark led with compassion, honesty, ethics and morals that created a culture of family in a large company unlike any brokerage firm in the city, a culture that continues to flourish setting what is now BHS apart from every other firm. Clark gave me an amazing opportunity 26 years ago this month and it is because of him and the family he built that I've called our firm home ever since. Clark you will always be Boss in my heart.”

- Steve Kliegerman, BHS Development Marketing President

“I joined Halstead in 1997 after Clark took time out of his busy schedule to interview one on one with me for an Agent role, which closed the deal for me and I have been here almost 30 years later. That was the way Clark ran the company and lived his life, a very genuine, humble and classy person. What a trailblazer who inspired everyone to be their best professionally and personally!”

- Eugene Cordano, BHS New Jersey President

  

“Clark was a legend and was a leader that changed NYC Real Estate forever. In 1985, he recruited a band of West Side brokers by sending us a telescope, symbolic of insight and foresight. He innovated and was the very first to automate using computers, prior we used index card listings and gave us a big edge. Most importantly, he created a loyal family atmosphere in a business that could sometimes be self-centered and ruthless. He was fair and kind, we always felt he had our backs. His legacy carries on to this day. To his testament, I remained with Halstead and now BHS for almost 40 years - that says it all about this great man.”

- Joseph Truglio, BHS West Side Agent

“A joyous, high moral and ethical human with a big attitude of gratitude. ‘The house that Clark built’ at Halstead felt more like a family than a firm. Culture was everything. He was inspirational and a class act. He was an incredible person down to earth tried to be like a friend more than a boss. He spent a lot of personal time with us eating and playing and his firm thrived from that. And so did we.”

- Amelia Gewirtz, BHS West Side Agent

  

“I first met Clark over 25 years ago when I was considering moving my business to Halstead. At the time, he insisted on meeting and having lunch with all new brokers. Right at that moment I met him I knew I found my home. Any leader that was running a large business that took time out of his day like that signaled class and a true leader! I will miss him.” 

- Andrew Phillips, BHS West Side Agent

  

“I am so saddened by the loss of my friend and mentor Clark Halstead and would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his family. I started my career at Halstead Property at its inception where we grew to be a big family and company. I have many cherished memories of Clark. Halstead was always a family to me and his loss leaves a huge hole in the fabulous company he built and was the heart and soul of. He was a great leader who built a company with his mentorship, praise and opportunity. Clark Halstead made a huge impact on me, Brown Harris Stevens, and the real estate industry. He will be sorely missed by me and his memory and impact will be felt by all who knew him.”

- Monica Podell, BHS East Side Agent