Compass Launches Office Leasing Division, Hires Former Colliers Broker James Emden
The brokerage shake-up continues, with Colliers International broker James Emden decamping for Compass.
Emden is leading the tech-forward brokerage's nascent office leasing division, Commercial Observer reports, and has taken the role of vice chairman.
“I loved what [Compass was] doing and felt that I could benefit them on the commercial side by using the experience and younger generation there and merging them together,” Emden told CO. “They’ve built a wonderful machine so far and they continue to grow. I’m just tapping into that.”
Emden's major deals include brokering Charter Communications' 137K SF lease at 2485 Second Ave. and Tikehau Capital's deal for nearly 10K SF at 412 West 15th St.
Previously a residential firm only, Compass moved into the commercial world last summer. It hired former Eastern Consolidated Managing Director Adelaide Polsinelli to launch its investment sales division in August. Fellow Eastern alum Robin Abrams and her team — known as Abrams Retail Strategies — joined Compass the same month.
