Stu Morden serves clients throughout New York City and specializes in retail leasing transactions, most often in Manhattan. He has lived in New York all his life and has an intimate knowledge of the retail marketplace. Mr. Morden joined Newmark Knight Frank Retail in 1997. His most notable achievement since joining the firm was representing Whole Foods Market on its flagship store installation at 250 Seventh Avenue – a transaction that was chosen as the Most Creative Retail Deal of the Year for 2000 by the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). He has worked closely with Columbia University and Barnard College, bringing the West End Café, Liberty House, Nussbaum & Wu Bakery and Ollie’s Chinese Restaurant to University owned properties. He has also represented T. Anthony Leather on Park Avenue, Jeffrey Stein Salons (7 stores), Bruno Ravioli (3 stores), Starbucks (3 stores), Sovereign Bank, Bank of America (2 locations), Duane Reade (3 stores), Mainland and Cesca Restaurants, McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Lenscrafters and numerous other local, national and regional tenants throughout his 20-year history in retail leasing. Currently, Mr. Morden is the exclusive broker for Clarett Group, one of the most highly respected developers in New York City. He is handling 26,000 square feet at their 200 West End development, due to open in the Fall of 2007. Previously, Mr. Morden fully leased Clarett Group’s Opus Condominium; bringing national tenants - Bank of America and Lenscrafters into the fold. Mr. Morden also is handling a 165,000 square-foot retail project in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx that is attracting the attention of "Big Box" users from all over the country. In addition, Mr. Morden is making a reputation for working well with Coop/Condo Boards, successfully navigating deals with 658 Amsterdam Avenue, 2681 Broadway, 2341 Broadway, 661 Amsterdam Avenue, 283 Amsterdam Avenue and 700 Columbus Avenue, all Board operated buildings. On the ownership side, Mr. Morden serves as leasing agent at four Upper West Side buildings of Roxann Management and has attracted tenants such as Gabriella’s Restaurant, LaBrea Card and Gift Shop, Kosher Marketplace, Sovereign Bank and Bank of America to Mr. Katz’s properties. Prior to joining Newmark Knight Frank Retail, Mr. Morden was an independent leasing broker for seven years and represented tenants such as Starbucks, Jeffrey Stein Salons, Bruno Ravioli and T. Anthony. Previously, he headed the Upper West Side retail leasing division at Austin K. Haldenstein Realty from 1986 to 1989. Mr. Morden is a member of REBNY and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and is a nationally rated chess player; a game he feels has prepared him well for his real estate career. Mr. Morden earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College.