SAN FRANCISCO—GlobeSt.com has learned that Karen Hoke, a senior vice president with Colliers International who built a national reputation representing some of the world's largest luxury retailers, developers, property owners, restaurateurs, and most-recognized merchants in both San Francisco and New York, has died after a brief illness, officials of the brokerage firm have revealed. She was 57 years old.
Hoke's experience spanned 25 years and included all phases of retail brokerage, including leasing, tenant and landlord representation, and project consulting. Over the past 12 years, she and her team of retail specialists in the firm's San Francisco office have been responsible for a significant amount of the retail transactions in Union Square, Mid-Market, the Financial District and SOMA.
Some of Hoke's recent high-profile tenant transactions involved a three-level part retail showroom and part coffee and champagne lounge for Nespresso; Graff Diamond's first California store on Post Street; and a high-profile ground-floor location on Maiden Lane for the iconic French footwear maker Christian Louboutin.
Hoke also worked with many of the largest and most recognized institutional owners, investors and developers of retail properties in the nation, as well as many outstanding independent landlords and tenants, too numerous to name individually.
“Her reputation went far beyond simple brokerage and included serving as a team leader specializing in retail properties,” says Colliers' Alan Collenette, managing director of the firm's San Francisco office. “Along with her team, she partnered with her clients on every level and was involved in their business activities from start to finish. She was considered a leading professional to her clients, an inspiring leader to her team, and a great friend to her many co-workers.”
Born in Canada, Hoke began her professional career in New York City where she was a partner at the Industria Studio, an acclaimed fashion institute. She then transitioned to the commercial real estate industry, where she became adept at site selection, financial modeling, real estate analysis and lease negotiations. In 1997, she relocated to San Francisco where she and a partner formed Johnson Hoke Ltd., a real estate brokerage and consulting firm, which was acquired by Colliers in 2011.
Active in a variety of professional, civic and charitable organizations, Hoke was a key stakeholder in the Union Square Business Improvement District Beautification Program and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Colliers officials tell GlobeSt.com that a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 3:30-7 p.m. at the Park Grill in Le Meridien, San Francisco. They could not provide additional comments or details at this time.
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