NewHavenBIZ

n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 2 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 25 P o w e r 2 5 R e a l E s t a t e Kerry Pease-Coble leased space at 25 Boston Post Road, in Madison, for an art training facility for children, teens and adults. e Geentys have been working togeth- er for more than 20 years. Kevin founded the company in 1986, aer more than a decade of brokerage and mentorship with the late Herb Pearce of the H. Pearce Company. Kevin began his commercial real estate career in 1969. Kristin joined the company as an agent in 2000 and became president six years later. She is now majority shareholder, making e Geenty Group one of the few women-owned commercial real estate firms in the country. Mendel M. Paris and Sim Levenhartz, Developers Real estate developers Mendel M. Paris and Sim Levenhartz plan to transform a blighted property in New Haven's West- ville neighborhood into a new, 245-unit apartment complex. e two men are principals of 50 Fitch LLC, which secured key city approvals this summer for redevel- oping the site, which includes acreage at 781 Whalley Ave. and 50 Fitch St. e developers have said that the long-vacant office building at the corner of Whalley and Fitch, and a building at 50 Fitch, would come down to make way for the residen- tial project. e complex is planned as a mix of townhomes and apartments ranging from three-bedrooms to studios. Amenities will include a courtyard with a pool, river house, yoga studio, gaming room, fitness center, business center and rooop deck. Parking totaling 106 spaces will be built into the complex's ground floor, along with a 16-space surface lot. Five percent of the apartments will be set aside for those making 50% of the area me- dian income. Plans call for the ground floor of the section to include 2,300 square feet of retail space, extending the Westville retail corridor south on Whalley Avenue. e apartment complex will include a public walkway along the West River, which hasn't been accessible. e develop- ers plan two new forms of public access, including a 288-square-foot viewing plat- form and a 700-foot waterfront walkway with furnishings and landscaping, docu- ments show. e viewing platform would include educational information about the West River's habitat and ecology. e developers' timeline for bringing the project to fruition is by summer 2024. Paris and Levenhartz are pursuing de- veloping other parcels around the region. In 2021, Levenhartz's Sim Lev Hold- ings LLC of New Haven purchased the long-vacant former Debonair Beach Motel site, at 295 Beach St., West Haven, for $1 million, with an eye toward rede- veloping it. Richard Ballou, Agent, Houlihan Lawrence Wareck D'Ostilio Richard "Ricky" Ballou has been instrumental in recent months in helping a childcare business find space to grow — including in space formerly occupied by a movie theater. Ballou joined Houlihan Lawrence Wareck D'Ostilio as an agent in late 2021, and is based in its Milford office. Ballou, a Wood- bridge native, started his career at the national commercial broker Marcus and Millichap in Los Angeles. His efforts garnered him "Salesperson of the Month" twice within his first year as he was able to list $20 million worth of properties in his first seven months. At his current firm, he specializes in commercial and investment properties, helping to represent buyers, sellers and landlords statewide. Ballou was involved in the $1.3 million August purchase of New Haven's Cine-4 theater, which attracted numerous inter- ested buyers, most of whom were eyeing demolition and redevelopment. e New Haven-based Friends Center for Children bought the 25 Flint St. prop- erty with plans to renovate the building. Ballou, who represented the Friends Center in the Cine-4 purchase, has said it was a unique opportunity to repurpose an old theater. Many theaters have struggled in the age of home streaming services. e Cine-4 site will be renovated and include the center's central office, librar- ies, screening room and teacher-training space. According to Ballou, the property appealed to the Friends School because of its existing structure, ample parking area and vast interior space. Plans call for turning some of the parking area into outdoor green space. is fall, Ballou also represented the Friends Center in its purchase of two more buildings in New Haven. e business bought properties in Westville at 881-883 Whalley Ave., for $1.99 million, to use for its expanding early-childhood educational programs. Bob Adnopoz, Broker, Colliers International During his 30-plus years in real estate, Bob Adnopoz has helped large institu- tions with their real estate growth and expansion goals. Adnopoz, a broker with Colliers International, has had clients ranging from major area landlords to universities and law firms. Yale University, Albertus Magnus College, the University of New Haven, Science Park, Wiggin & Dana, and the Hershey Company are just a sampling. During his career, Adnopoz has helped Yale University purchase strategic prop- erties for future expansion. According to Adnopoz, he has enjoyed the challenge of researching and successfully negotiating the purchase of properties that weren't on the market, but fit with the university's growth plans. Adnopoz has performed a similar function for the University of New Haven, working with its administrators to plan and acquire properties that fit with its expansion plans. Adnopoz focuses on the sales and leas- ing of commercial and industrial proper- ties in Hartford, New Haven and Fairfield counties. He has helped find new locations for fast-food conglomerates like Wendy's and McDonalds. He has also served as a consultant and advisor to law firms in the area, helping them as they expanded their offices to new regions. He has also been a tenant representative for national, regional and local biotechnology and medical companies such as Laboratory Corporation of America. Adnopoz is active in the real estate industry and has had several leadership roles. He has served as president of the SIOR chapter of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, and as president of the Industrial and Office Brokers Association of Metropolitan New York. He is also active in the community, and has served on the boards of the New Haven Sym- phony Orchestra, New Haven YMCA and Columbus House homeless shelter. Nanette Pastore, President, Pearce Real Estate Nanette Pastore serves as the president of Pearce Real Estate Co. Inc., where she has worked for nearly three decades, ris- ing through the ranks to her current role. Pastore, who became president in 2019, is known for her knowledge, enthusiasm, and willingness to mentor others interested in making a career in the real estate industry. Pastore runs both the residential and commercial divisions and manages the firm's staff and daily operations. e firm has offices in North Haven, Wallingford, Guilford, New Haven, Branford, Clin- ton and Milford. In an expansion to the north, the firm also has a virtual commer- cial brokerage in Rocky Hill, where staff- ers will meet with clients by appointment. According to CEO Barbara Pearce, the firm has been in good hands with Pastore, as Pearce has been focused primarily on her current role as interim CEO at Con- necticut Hospice. In August, Pearce Real Estate garnered the 2022 "Best of Hamden" award in the real estate agency category. Each year, the award program honors companies that help make the town a great place to live, work and play. Under Pastore's leadership, the firm has been involved in several high-profile commercial deals in recent months. In October, the firm represented the seller in a $475,000 transaction involving property at 101 Gulf St., in Milford, home to a family air conditioning contracting business, J.P. Salmini Company, for 50 years. A local fencing company bought the property for its operations. In July, Pearce Real Estate represented the seller of a 6.5-acre parcel at 62 Carlson Road, Orange. ABF Freight System Inc. bought the parcel with two buildings for $3 million. Pastore has had leadership roles in the industry during her career. She previously served on the board of directors of the Connecticut Association of Realtors and New Haven Middlesex Association of Realtors as treasurer. Jed Backus, Broker & Owner, Backus Real Estate Jed Backus' active leadership role in the real estate industry is garnering him recognition. In October, Backus, a Guilford resident, was named the New Haven Middlesex Associa- tion of Realtors (NHMR) "Realtor of the Year" for 2022. e association formally recognized Backus, the organization's immediate past president, at its annual trade show at its Guilford headquarters. NHMR is the second largest association of Realtors in the state, with over 2,700 members. Backus, a Realtor with Backus Real Estate in Hamden, began his career in the industry in 2002. Dawn Calvo, CEO of NHMR, said Backus has been an asset to the organiza- tion, particularly as it has navigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Backus served as president of NHMR's board of directors for 2020 and 2021. "In the throes of the pandemic, Jed worked to ensure that the organiza- tion continued to serve as a guide and resource through virtual and online platforms," Calvo said. According to Calvo, Backus was always in close communication with state and national leaders to keep the organization's members informed on policy, safety and procedures. "Despite uncertain times, he took on this role without hesitation and pivoted quickly to meet the challenges of the past two years," Calvo said. "Jed possesses an exem- plary business ethic and commitment to professionalism in the real estate industry. He is a true asset to our association." Backus has worked on leasing, sales and consulting for local businesses as well as large national corporations and institutions. He helps clients with their commercial real estate needs and also oversees the activities of his company's residential services divi- sion. Backus is also known for providing mentorship to early-career agents.

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