Leslie Harwood joined Newmark in 1993 as managing director specializing in tenant representation. Ms. Harwood represents many different types of firms in the Plaza District, confidently providing them with expert real estate services based on her more than 35 years of real estate experience.
Known for her creative and broad perspective of the leasing environment, Ms. Harwood’s expertise lies in her ability to bring to her clients an entire transactional team backed with the full resources of Newmark. She has developed an extensive network of some of the best professionals in the commercial real estate field.
Ms. Harwood has consistently negotiated for her clients’ substantially below-market rental rates. Tenants she has recently represented include AEA Investors; Antarctica Capital; the Center for Arts Education; Ceruzzi Properties; FILA Korea; Ingleside Investors; Petra Capital; Pro-Choice New York (formerly NARAL); Stralem and Company; and Young People’s Chorus. Ms. Harwood currently represents Success Academy, guiding them in the acquisition and leasing of charter schools throughout the metropolitan New York area.
In addition to her leasing and sales experience, Ms. Harwood has developed 2 million square feet of residential housing and retail in the New York metropolitan area, including 125 Hudson Street, 44th Street and Eighth Avenue, and has led the redevelopment of 1 million square feet in downtown Jersey City. She also heads a development team that is working on a 1 million-square-foot residential and retail project in downtown Boston.
Ms. Harwood also owes much of her real estate expertise to her involvement in Harwood Properties, a private real estate developer and manager based in Jersey City. A family business with deep roots in Jersey City that go back to the 1920s, Harwood Properties has developed a deep understanding of development and urban development. Its projects have included every major asset category, including parking facilities, office, retail, industrial and residential properties. The company currently focuses on investing in parking operations and development sites, with a particular emphasis on development and revitalization opportunities in urban, transit-oriented locations.
Ms. Harwood’s success has earned her the recognition of her peers. A longtime member (and former chairman) of the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association, she was named its 2017 Senior Professional of the Year for her commitment to the real estate industry. In 1993, Ms. Harwood was named Young Real Estate Person of the Year, an honor to hold both awards. Ms. Harwood’s other professional accolades include the Emma Lazarus Award for “Dynamic Women in Business,” which she received from the Associated Builders & Owners of Greater New York.
Additionally, Ms. Harwood was the guest of honor at the inaugural luncheon of the New Leadership Real Estate Cabinet of Israel Bonds. Her dedication to raising money for Israel later won her the Max Feld Industry Achievement Award from Israel Bonds. Ms. Harwood currently serves as co-chairman emeritus of the Real Estate New Leadership Division of Israel Bonds.
An active industry leader, Ms. Harwood serves on the Commercial Brokerage Midtown committee of the Real Estate Board of New York, Inc. (REBNY) and is a member of WX (Women Executives in Real Estate, New York). Recently, Ms. Harwood founded NOW (Network of Women), an organization dedicated to advocating and creating opportunities for women within Newmark, BGC Partners and Cantor Fitzgerald.
Ms. Harwood is also involved in many philanthropic causes, including Fountain House, which works on behalf of the mentally challenged, and Pro Choice New York. In 2007, she co-chaired the lunch for Planned Parenthood New York.
Ms. Harwood is a graduate of the University of Miami. She has three children and resides in New York City.