FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (June 18, 2007) – Two Fort Lauderdale-based business partners and real estate professionals, collectively boasting over three decades of South Florida real estate experience, have agreed to open the state’s first southeastern franchise of Engel & Voelkers Florida. Albert M. Clark Jr., P.A., Realtor®/owner, and Michael Lichtenfeld, broker/owner, will manage an Engel & Voelkers real estate shop that will be launched in the Fort Lauderdale area later this year.
The location of the new, boutique-style Engel & Voelkers-branded shop, which will specialize in the sale of upscale residential properties ranging from exclusive waterfront homes to luxury oceanfront condominiums, will be announced later this summer.
Clark and Lichtenfeld, the leaders and licensed realtors of the Engel & Voelkers Florida Fort Lauderdale team, have handled residential and commercial real estate transactions in Fort Lauderdale, Greater Miami and the Palm Beach areas since 1979.
Clark, whose real estate career spans properties and limited partnerships in New York, California and Nevada, acquired the Engel & Voelkers Fort Lauderdale franchise following a successful career as sales manager for the Galleria Collection of Fine Homes in Fort Lauderdale. There he implemented sales and marketing strategies for a 39-story condominium representing total sales of more than $145 million. Prior to that position, Clark was sales manager of Divosta Homes Inc. in Palm Beach Gardens, managing communities of more than 600 new single family homes and town homes. From 1999-2001, he served as sales manager with Crestview Communities, Century Homebuilders and United Homes, Inc. in Broward County. The Builders Association of South Florida honored Clark with the Sales Manager of the Year Platinum Award in 2001.
Lichtenfeld is a former commercial airline pilot whose 40-year career spanned the world with Continental Airlines. At 23, he became the youngest Continental pilot to earn the coveted “Captain Wings,” logging more than 37,000 hours of flying during his distinguished career. Prior to retiring from the airline as the airline’s most senior pilot (Seniority #1), he became a REALTOR® as well as a licensed broker and has been involved in real estate for more than 13 years, acquiring contacts worldwide during his tenure.
“We are now in the process of selecting the perfect location for this new Engel & Voelkers property shop and hope to make that announcement very soon. With our backgrounds, contacts and experience, Mike and I look forward to a successful introduction of the Engel & Voelkers Florida brand to the Fort Lauderdale area,” said Clark. “We know that the high quality of customer service and worldwide selection of upscale residential properties that only Engel & Voelkers offers will be a welcome addition to this market.”
“Since announcing our entry into the Florida market earlier this year, we have been very eager to gain a strategic foothold in the state’s southeastern region,” said Timo Khammash, managing partner of Engel & Voelkers Florida, the statewide franchise operation which is based in Naples, FL. “With the expertise of Clark and Lichtenfeld leading the expansion into this very important area, we anticipate Fort Lauderdale be a vital and vibrant part of our growth.”
Engel & Voelkers Florida represents a highly respected and long-established real estate company that specializes in upscale properties worldwide. In addition to the new office serving the Fort Lauderdale area, additional franchise agreements and openings are planned for Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita, Celebration, Miami, Coral Gables and more.
Engel & Völkers, a longtime global leader in fine international estates, has recently expanded its global reach to the United States. The Florida headquarters is part of the Engel & Völkers Group’s growing portfolio of global locations that includes South Hampton, England, Ireland, Italy, Chile, Spain, Switzerland, South Africa and other locations. The Hamburg, Germany-based Engel & Völkers Group represents a worldwide brand with hundreds of real estate offices in 26 countries and five continents. A new Engel & Völkers Group property shop opens somewhere in the world every 100 hours.
For information about franchise opportunities, contact Khammash at (941) 544-2829 or go to www.engelvoelkers.com/
The Engel & Völkers Group
The Engel & Völkers Group was established more than 20 years ago in the western suburbs of Hamburg, Germany as a purely residential estate agency. Today the Engel & Völkers Group has achieved a leading position in the European market and a prominent position in the global luxury real estate market. Engel & Völkers provides real estate brokerage services for both buyers and sellers, focusing on upscale residential and commercial properties in top locations worldwide. Its proprietary buyer and seller system offers advanced technology that connects property shops throughout the world. Extensive training and support is provided for all franchises.
Engel & Völkers Group also publishes its own lifestyle and real estate magazine, known as Grund Genug in Europe and GG in English-speaking countries. It focuses on luxury living, exclusive destinations and famous artists, designers and business leaders plus features magnificent Engel & Völkers properties from around the world.
Engel & Voelkers Florida serves as the master franchise headquarters for Florida, providing statewide support to franchisees to ensure they have all of the necessary tools and services they require to develop, manage and grow successful real estate agencies within a clearly defined sub-market.
