Retail maven Faith Hope Consolo dies at 73
The real estate industry has lost one of its most outspoken and dedicated retail champions.
Faith Hope Consolo, the New York City real estate broker who was known as the "Queen of Retail," passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 23, at the age of 73. Consolo died of a heart attack in her home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Known for her outsized personality and passion for retail, Consolo was chairman of the retail leasing and sales division at Douglas Elliman, which she joined in 2005. Her clients included Alexis Bittar, Alice + Olivia, AYR, Benefit Cosmetics, Bond No. 9, Buccellati, Bulgari, Cartier, Bruno Magli, Christian Louboutin, Fendi, Fresh, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Zara, reported Women’s Wear Daily, which noted that her involvement with clients went beyond that of a typical broker to include branding strategies and consulting on a range of issues.
Prior to Douglas Elliman, Consolo was a vice chairman at the former Garrick-Aug Worldwide, where, over some 20 years, she rose to become one of New York City’s best-known — and most outspoken — retail brokers, with a luxury client list.
“Faith was a legend in New York commercial real estate especially the New York City retail stores and businesses,” Steven James, the president and CEO of Douglas Elliman in New York City said in a statement. “Many of her clients were long term ones, Ste. They believed in her to get the job done! And she did! She was a high-voltage character but deep down there was a heart that just wanted to be loved.”
Consolo maintained a high profile in the industry, and was often quoted in the press. She had leadership roles with the national Commercial Real Estate Women Network’s (CREW) New York chapter, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Association of Real Estate Women. According to her biography, Consolo was the sole retail consultant to the city’s Economic Development Corp. and was at the center of the revitalization of Times Square and Penn Station.
In a statement, the Real Estate Board of New York president John Banks said, “The industry will miss her talent, passion, and her love for New York City.”
Faith Hope Consolo, the New York City real estate broker who was known as the "Queen of Retail," passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 23, at the age of 73. Consolo died of a heart attack in her home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Known for her outsized personality and passion for retail, Consolo was chairman of the retail leasing and sales division at Douglas Elliman, which she joined in 2005. Her clients included Alexis Bittar, Alice + Olivia, AYR, Benefit Cosmetics, Bond No. 9, Buccellati, Bulgari, Cartier, Bruno Magli, Christian Louboutin, Fendi, Fresh, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Zara, reported Women’s Wear Daily, which noted that her involvement with clients went beyond that of a typical broker to include branding strategies and consulting on a range of issues.
Prior to Douglas Elliman, Consolo was a vice chairman at the former Garrick-Aug Worldwide, where, over some 20 years, she rose to become one of New York City’s best-known — and most outspoken — retail brokers, with a luxury client list.
“Faith was a legend in New York commercial real estate especially the New York City retail stores and businesses,” Steven James, the president and CEO of Douglas Elliman in New York City said in a statement. “Many of her clients were long term ones, Ste. They believed in her to get the job done! And she did! She was a high-voltage character but deep down there was a heart that just wanted to be loved.”
Consolo maintained a high profile in the industry, and was often quoted in the press. She had leadership roles with the national Commercial Real Estate Women Network’s (CREW) New York chapter, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Association of Real Estate Women. According to her biography, Consolo was the sole retail consultant to the city’s Economic Development Corp. and was at the center of the revitalization of Times Square and Penn Station.
In a statement, the Real Estate Board of New York president John Banks said, “The industry will miss her talent, passion, and her love for New York City.”