C&W's French Retires After Nearly 70 Years

NEW YORK CITY—Bertram F. French, whose tenure at Cushman & Wakefield began in 1947, will work his last day on Monday, ending a storied 67-year career with the firm.

French, one of the most successful brokerage professionals in commercial real estate, is retiring from the firm as vice chairman He began his career post World War II in a role handling office duties and later joined the brokerage ranks in the firm's Downtown Manhattan office. At that time, C&W had two office locations at 281 Madison Ave. and 21 West St. The firm in 1960 would begin a national expansion, establishing offices throughout the U.S. and worldwide.

“Bert worked hard and displayed professionalism and great loyalty to the firm throughout his entire career, and it's something that I always admired about him,” says C&W EVP Robert F.R. Ballard, who is a close friend and colleague of French having worked at C&W for more than 45 years. “He's had a fabulous career and will always be known around C&W and in the industry as one of the most respected names in commercial real estate.”

French was involved in some of Manhattan's most significant office leases and building sales. Some of his most notable transactions include handling the New York Telephone Company's 1.3-million-square-foot lease at 1095 Ave. of the Americas, the assembling of land and development of a 1-million-square-foot office building for Continental Insurance Corp.'s headquarters at 180 Maiden Lane and the land acquisition and leasing of the 1-million-square-foot One Seaport Plaza.

One of his most recognizable transactions was representing Dean Witter in a 1-million-square-foot, 20-year lease at 2 World Trade Center. The transaction was said to be valued at $800 million. Dean Witter had offices throughout the Wall Street area, and the transaction allowed them to consolidate into 24 floors in the World Trade Center, becoming the major tenant in the building.

French was recognized for his work through several industry awards, including the 2001 Louis Smadbeck Memorial Broker Recognition Award, which honors a brokerage professional whose career distinctions include personal and professional integrity, long-term leadership, and prominence in the brokerage community. He served as the Real Estate Board of New York Chairperson from 1980 through 1982 and sat on the Board's Executive Committee. Additional honors included the Keystone Award from the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies in 2000, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the health and well being of New Yorkers from diverse faiths and walks of life, and the Man of the Year Award from Talbot Perkins Children's Services.