Ultimate negotiator looks forward to new millenium

Real Estate Weekly, Sept 1, 1999

Charles L. Goldenberg, president and CEO of Sylvan Lawrence Company, Inc., is especially interested in the much heralded Millennium.

The year 2000, will mark his 45th year in the real estate industry - the last 25 years as president and CEO of Sylvan Lawrence Company.

Sylvan Lawrence, once one of New York's largest Downtown landlords, has sold through Goldenberg the last of its holdings. Its legendary era of ownership, which commenced in 1945, has ended with a concomitant wind down of its business.

It is indeed unusual for a highly successful, cash-rich enterprise to wind down. However, this unfortunate situation began shortly after Sylvan Lawrence's death on December 8, 1991, with massive litigation between family members. This litigation continues at this late date and has created an atmosphere which negatively impacted on business activities. The company, with an outstanding name, is considered a likely candidate for merger or acquisition.

Although Sylvan Lawrence Company, Inc. may be winding down, Charles L. Goldenberg is not!

Having spent his entire business life in real estate, he lives, dreams and breathes that subject. His expert advice is continually sought by investors, institutions, tenants, owners and major corporations both in the United States and abroad. He looks forward to many more productive years in real estate.

Goldenberg is the consummate professional who prides himself on the fact that his distinguished four and a half decade career has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars of profit for his clients.

When he is involved in a transaction, he participates in every aspect of it, leaving nothing to chance, to ensure its timely completion.

As one former associate fondly recited, "When Charles is in your corner on a deal. you can bet the bank it will close."

Goldenberg is a household name in sales, leasing and consulting. His understanding of the provisions of a commercial lease and a sales contract defy belief, as does his unique ability to resolve problems arising in any negotiation.

He has personally negotiated over $5 billion in transactions including the sale of 128 individual properties forming the Lawrence ownership interests. His most recent major transaction was the $387.5 million all-cash sale involving four buildings comprising over 3.3 million square feet of Manhattan office and retail space, representing the last of the Lawrence holdings, at 111 Eighth Avenue, 95 Wall, 99 Wall and 100 William Street.

Notable transactions have reached beyond Manhattan to other countries and states including London, Canada, Florida, Massachusetts and New Jersey. One of his recent major transactions involved the sale of Sable Park on 1-75 in the Tampa Bay, FL area. This high-end corporate office complex of 11 buildings contains 375,000 gross square feet, and is 98 percent occupied by such prime tenants as GTE, Chevron, Deutsche Credit, National Insurance Services, Prudential Insurance, State Farm Insurance, Warner Publication and the State of Florida. The $42.5 million deal included 243 acres of land that is ready for development.

In Manhattan, he recently concluded the sale of the long-term leasehold on 90 Washington Street for $32 million.

Goldenberg, as "the ultimate negotiator," has earned the respect of both clients and competitors alike. He is expert in valuation, sales, leasing, corporate requirements and management, with the unique ability to add value to any transaction and to secure all available advantages for clients.

Goldenberg's career began in 1955 when he joined Brown, Harris, Stevens, Inc., one of New York's oldest real estate brokerage and management organizations. In 1957, he earned the distinction of becoming the youngest officer in the firm's 88-year history. He quickly rose to the position of Senior Vice President and served as Director of Brown, Harris, Stevens' Financial District office.

In addition to holding a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from New York University, Goldenberg earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from New York Law School.

He has had numerous public speaking engagements at industry events and is a frequent contributor to a wide variety of business, real estate and news journals.

Goldenberg is a Governor of the Real Estate Board of New York, and was named "Teacher of the Year' while an Adjunct Professor of Real Estate at New York University.