Five Real Estate Women Share the Best Spots in Town

Five women in real estate reveal the best spots in town.

VERONICA MAINETTI

Title: Managing director, US activities, Sorgente Group (sorgentegroup.com)
How she got her start: Mainetti came to New York to pursue a master’s degree in architectural design. At the same time, the Sorgente Group’s investors were looking to expand and diversify their presence in New York’s real estate market. Mainetti took the job, spearheading the company’s plan to further develop US operations.
All in the family: “My great-grandfather, Luigi, used to build load-bearing frames for skyscrapers in New York City, and my grandfather was a mechanical engineer who specialized in commercial buildings. My father’s passion started with ground-up development, which 20 years later, led him to form the Sorgente Group. Our company specializes in the development and management of real estate funds—funds that are mainly invested in historic and trophy properties.”
Favorite spot: 32–34 Greene Street. “It’s my favorite spot because it’s the site of my first restoration project in New York. I have a great passion for cast-iron buildings. What better place to admire them than Greene Street, which has the biggest concentration of cast-iron buildings in the world?”
Her focus: Historic and trophy buildings. “I truly believe that properties that have historical and architectural value maintain their worth regardless of where the economy stands.”
Why New York: “The collection of such incredible styles and types of architecture. You can’t find it anywhere else in the world.”
Most memorable deal: “Closing the last acquisition of the Flatiron Building. It made the Sorgente Group the majority owners of one of the mostrecognized landmarks in the world.”

SUZANNE MACKENZIE

Title: Director of client services, O’Connor Capital Partners (oconnorcp.com); Director of marketing, advertising and public relations, Manhattan House (manhattanhouse.com)
How she got her start: MacKenzie was a CPA at Arthur Andersen LLP when she first met Jerry O’Connor, the founder of O’Connor Capital Partners and one of her then clients. He was looking for someone with a background in real estate and finance to helm client services at his firm. “Jerry took a chance and hired me at O’Connor 11 years ago.”
Favorite spot: Betel, a new West Village Thai restaurant. “Betel is undiscovered. It’s brand new, under the radar and brings great Thai food to a city that needs more of it.”
Why New York: “The heritage inherent in real estate in New York. I am inspired by being part of this and by working with iconic buildings and properties with signifi cant history, architecture and design.”
Most memorable deal: The Manhattan House. “It’s an iconic, landmarked, luxury residential condominium on the Upper East Side. It was originally designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate architect Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, the visionary behind Lever House and 9 West 57th Street. We have re-engineered residences and amenity spaces to combine the building’s Modernist heritage with contemporary living.”

DOTTIE HERMAN

Title: President and CEO, Prudential Douglas Elliman (prudentialelliman.com)
How she got her start: Herman originally set out to be a financial planner, but while in school to get certified, she started selling real estate on the side.By the time her certifi cation was complete, her boss was selling his company to Merrill Lynch, and Herman—with her background in real estate and finance—took advantage of the opportunity and applied for a position with Merrill. She got it. Merrill Lynch eventually sold the company to Prudential. When Prudential decided to franchise it, Herman bought the company’s Long Island locations.
Favorite spot: “Cipriani. When I started to run Douglas Elliman, my partner, Howard Lorber, and I went to Harry Cipriani on Fifth all the time. I love the atmosphere, I love the food, I love the crowd—I just feel comfortable there. It feels like home with an edge.”
Why New York: “It’s one of few cities that is truly international. Here, you deal with people not only from the United States, but from all over the world.”
Outlook: Positive. “I think we’ve pretty much hit bottom, give or take. New York is going to move forward. We may not have the same appreciation that we had in the boom years, but it’s impossible for anything to appreciate that much every single year. What makes New York [unique] is that it’s got a buzz, it’s safe and it’s clean. People want to be here. As long as that continues, it will always be in demand.”
Most memorable deal: Opening the Hamptons office of Douglas Elliman. “We built it one brick at a time. I didn’t buy a company, I built this one from scratch. That offi ce is the reason I’m in New York City. It was my stepping stone.”