Mr. Beard, Previously a Senior Director at RKF, Has Been Active in Brooklyn’s Retail Sector Since 2006
RIPCO Real Estate (RIPCO) today announced that Alex Beard has joined the firm as Managing Director. Mr. Beard, who has been active in Brooklyn for more than 12 years, will operate out of RIPCO’s office located at 32 Court Street in Downtown Brooklyn. Prior to joining RIPCO, Mr. Beard served as Senior Director at RKF, where he began his career in 2006; he has been a Brooklyn resident since 2001. RIPCO’s Brooklyn office, which also handles Queens and the Bronx, has grown significantly since opening in late 2017 and now houses 15 retail leasing salespeople.
“We have long admired Alex’s professionalism and extensive relationships. He is a well-respected and knowledgeable broker, someone that perfectly fits the profile of the top performer we are looking to bring into the fold,” said Mark Kaplan, Chief Operating Officer of RIPCO Real Estate. “The firm prides itself on our steadfast dedication to clients, which has resulted in longstanding relationships with both landlords and retailers. Alex shares in our philosophy and we are eager to watch him work closely with our Brooklyn office leaders, Jason Pennington and Andy Clemens, to further solidify RIPCO’s reputation as the strongest retail brokerage firm in the outer boroughs.”
Early during his tenure at RKF, Mr. Beard was instrumental in representing landlords and retailers in emerging Brooklyn neighborhoods like Boerum Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick and Williamsburg. His current client roster includes SEE Eyewear, OddFellows Ice Cream Co, Gooring Bros. Hat Co, and Nitehawk Cinema, to name a few. Some of Mr. Beard’s notable landlord transactions in Brooklyn include the leasing of 1,890 square feet at 160 Court Street to Rag & Bone, 1,050 square feet for SEE Eyewear at 156 Bedford Avenue and most recently, securing a 7,500 square foot lease for Odd Fellows Ice Cream at 379 Suydam Street where the Oddfellows will operate a production commissary, restaurant and bar. He also oversaw site selection, along with the purchase of a building and land, for Nitehawk Cinema at 136 Metropolitan Avenue, which was a game-changing addition to Williamsburg.
“RIPCO’s rapid and strategic growth in the boroughs, fantastic reputation and renowned company culture played vital roles in my move. I have collaborated with my new colleagues for some time and know that I am joining a team of experts who pride themselves on integrity and have expansive market knowledge. I am very excited to help contribute to this group.” said Mr. Beard. “Because of the talent, creativity and dedication of the people living and working there, market growth in the outer boroughs over the past 12 years has been nothing short of phenomenal.”
Mr. Beard earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from the University of Florida. He is a resident of Bedford-Stuyvesant, is a licensed salesperson in the state of New York and a member of International Council of Shopping Centers.
