Retail Mega Broker Faith Hope Consolo Passes Away
Real Estate In-Depth | December 26, 2018
NEW YORK CITY—Longtime Manhattan retail real estate mega broker Faith Hope Consolo, who was known in some circles as the “Queen of Retail,” died on Sunday, Dec. 23rd at her home here, according to multiple press reports.
Consolo, who was the chairperson of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group, was 69 years old. In October 2017, Consolo was a panelist at the 11th “Global Real Estate Summit & Expo” presented by the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors and the Staten Island Board of Realtors at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel.
A number of published reports stated that the cause of her death was a heart attack.
Prior to joining Douglas Elliman Real Estate in 2005, Consolo served as chairman of Garrick-Aug Worldwide, Ltd., the international division she founded in 1987 after opening the firm’s Paris office.
On Dec. 24, Steve James, president and CEO of Douglas Elliman , distributed an e-mail to Douglas Elliman’s New York office which read:
“It is with enormous sadness that I announce that Faith died suddenly on Sunday morning. Faith was a legend in New York commercial real estate especially the NYC retail stores and businesses. Many of her clients were long term ones. 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. We will all miss Faith.”
Her vast experience in the retail sector produced an extensive client base that included such top-tier fashion, jewelry and beauty firms such as Alexis Bittar, Alice + Olivia, AYR, Benefit Cosmetics, Bond No. 9, Buccellati, Bulgari, CADAR, Cartier, Bruno Magli, Christian Louboutin, Fendi, Ferragamo Fogal, Fresh, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Michael Boris, Paul Morelli, Perrin Paris, Peter Millar/Richemont Group, Robert Clergerie, Robert Marc, The Daily Edited, Thierry Rabotin, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, as well as globally based mass merchandiser Zara.
Other major achievements of Consolo included being the sole retail consultant to the Economic Development Corporation and at the center of the revitalization of Times Square and Penn Station. She has also been a key player in Fifth Avenue’s return as the “Luxury Walk” and Madison Avenue’s once again achieving its glitter as the “Golden Mile.”
Consolo had leadership roles with the Commercial Real Estate Women network, Association of Real Estate Women and International Council of Shopping Centers. A recent recipient of Mercy College’s Trustee’s Medal, she has also actively helped such causes as the New York City Opera, Citymeals-on-Wheels, The American Heart Association, Women in Need, Dress for Success and the Association of Real Estate Women Charitable Fund.
In addition to the many awards she received over the years, Douglas Elliman Real Estate presented her with Top Retail and Commercial GCI honors every year since joining the firm in 2005. She was given Chairman’s Club status every year since 2006 and received consecutive Pinnacle Club Awards from 2009 to 2012. Honored every year from 2006 as “Top Retail and Commercial Agent – GCI,” she received the coveted Diamond Award in 2011 and was given “Legend” status the following year.