Fallon, Cushman & Wakefield Big Winners at CBA Awards

BOSTON—Thursday night’s 2012 Commercial Brokers Association Achievement Awards at the Intercontinental Hotel was a bit like watching some notable Oscar presentations of yore, as Cassidy Turley FHO co-founder Joseph P. Fallon played the part of long neglected director Martin Scorcese, who in 2007—like Fallon at the CBA Awards—finally got his due; and Cushman & Wakefield emulated 2004 star “Lord of the Rings” by picking up a slew of victories (including Investment Sale of the Year for the $615 million brokerage of Boston’s 100 Federal St.). And during the course of the evening, there were some surprises, a look back at those who had passed, and a short film on the history of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board—of which CBA is a key component—and a celebration of camaraderie in this highly competitive industry.

In addition to putting up gaudy numbers for the year (1.5 million sf of leasing, plus some notable investment sales), Fallon had mentored a half-dozen previous Broker of the Year Award winners and finally took home the gold himself for the first time in his 30-year career. “(Joe Fallon) is a true real estate market guru, a brokerage company leader, a longtime CBA advocate and a consistently loyal friend to many in the Greater Boston community,” began John Boyle, 2013 CBA president and Fallon protégé (and 2010 BOTY winner) before presenting the award. “Joe has held the company leadership reins of four separate companies, and year in and year out has been one of the most productive brokers, not only in this market, but in the nation, while simultaneously managing a forum with leadership capability which has allowed individuals within the firm to prosper and earn the Broker of the Year Award (six) times.”

Fallon accepted his award by stating, “It’s truly an honor for me, it’s very humbling, and I’m very appreciative of receiving this award tonight, because for years I’ve always felt that I had the respect of my co-workers, and to gain the respect and recognition of my peers in the CBA is truly very special for me.”

Cushman & Wakefield president Robert E. Griffin Jr. probably could have skipped a trip to the gym had he known the number of trips he would (happily) make to the stage as C&W garnered five of the seven major deal awards. In addition to the investment sales prize for selling 100 Federal St. (pictured above), C&W also picked up trophies for Retail (selling the Johnnie Foodmaster supermarket portfolio); Boston Office (Brown Brothers Harriman’s 411,000 sf lease at 50 Post Office Sq.); Creative Deal (Excel Orthopedics/Winchester Hospital) and Suburban Office (Green Mountain Coffee Roaster’s 590,000-sf lease in Burlington).

Richards Barry Joyce and Partners also had an impressive night in totaling three major deal awards, including Life Science Deal of the Year (Dana Farber’s 154,000-sf lease at Longwood Center); Industrial (the $15 million sale of 325 Turnpike Rd. in Southborough to Ken’s Foods); and Suburban (Green Mountain) on behalf of the Gutierrez Cos. as landlord. Cassidy Turley FHO also picked up two awards (Industrial and Creative) and CBRE/NE added a major citation for representing landlord Commonwealth Ventures in the Brown Brothers Harriman lease. CBRE Cambridge broker Adam Brinch also took home some hardware, as he was presented the Rising Star award by last year’s winner, Lauren Vecchione of Colliers International. Brinch was no stranger to the awards podium, having been part of the team that won the Life Science Deal of the Year honors in 2010.

Landlord of the Year went to Commonwealth Ventures, owners of properties that were involved in the two largest transactions in the city of Boston last year—the signing of Brown Brothers Harriman to their soon-to-be renovated property at 50 Post Office Square and the State Street Corp. lease at the One Channel Center build-to-suit in the Seaport District. Goodwin & Proctor bested a deep field of legal, architectural and construction management firms to bring home the Collaborating Professionals Award.

The evening was also marked by a bit of sadness, as Boyle called for a moment of silence to remember the passing of Bob Elder of Cabot, Cabot and Forbes, who developed Boston’s 60 State St. office building, the Ritz Carlton hotel addition, and other Boston landmarks, as well as suburban developer Roger Nordblom. Both industry icons passed in early 2013. The evening also featured a compelling short film on the history of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, now celebrating its 124th anniversary. The film featured many black and white photos of some of Boston’s CRE pioneers, and was narrated live by Boston veteran voice over guy Bob Giotta (whose name may not be familiar but whose voice was recognizable to all).

“I think it was a great night,” said Boyle following the festivities. “I think the CBA will continue it’s great history of being a leader not only in this market, but nationally. And I’m really happy for Joe Fallon.”

Griffin had praise for both Fallon and the victorious C&W crew, relaying how he asked his former colleague to autograph the CBA Awards program after the ceremony. Fallon signed the program, “To my favorite partner ever,” Griffin recounts. “Joe is an absolutely great real estate professional,” says Griffin, maintaining, “he should have won that award 20 years ago.” As to the productive results for C&W, whose Capital Markets Group handled $2.3 billion of volume in 2012, Griffin says that contingent and the C&W leasing professionals involved in the winning assignments are driven by a common goal. “I think we have a very deep bench of many talented people who know each other’s strengths and are able to bring those skills together for the benefit of the client,” says Griffin. “That’s who they are always working for, and it is gratifying to see them recognized for their (accomplishments) . . . They are the reason we had such a good year.”

(Editor’s Note: Upcoming issues of the Real Reporter will highlight the winning deals of 2012 from the CBA event.)