By Agent X
Most of the time Agent X likes to work alone, but I’ve had some partners through the years. I won’t name names, but there was one preferred lender on a building I worked with who just “got me.” Every joke I made was funny and he would come to the sales center at lunch and we’d play cards. It was all fun and games until I lost 100 bucks in a game of Texas Hold’em, but he’s still my favorite.
I’ve also had some cruddy partners. One fellow would come to every party with me and eat all the snacks, interrupt every conversation and just all around ruin my vibe. Agent X likes to eat, but knows to leave some for the other guests, and Agent X also knows how to pretend to listen. Trust, communication, bla, bla and bla. What you really need is someone who does what you say. Now that you know the secret to success, I’ll get into the reason you really read Agent X’s column.
The owner of the Fairmont Chicago hotel has pulled out of an agreement to buy 15 floors in the Aqua building. Talk about waiting until the last minute, since this cool-looking monster is almost finished being built.
Keller Williams’ River North office has closed down. Word is owner William O’Kane was going to shut down the office even if the market was hot – riiiight.
Speaking of partnerships, The Brixton Group has partnered up with Bravo’s “Top Design” winner, Matt Lorenz. Buyers of units in the company’s C/A23 space will get a $30,000 design allowance with the Chicago-based winner. Agent X has never seen this show, but will admit an addiction to “Project Runway.”
Speaking of reality TV, the DIY Network is filming an episode of its new series Project Xtreme, which visits dangerous construction sites, in Chicago. This episode, airing in the spring, focuses on the topping off of 1555 Wabash in the South Loop. Xtreme Ndeed.
Shaking and moving is Frank Pettinati, who left his post as associate principal and project director at Perkins & Will to become vice president of RTKL. Former senior VP of acquisitions at American Invsco Anthony Bergamino is now senior VP at NRC Realty Advisors LLC.
Parties! Vetro, formerly represented by Maher and now by Baird & Warner, showcased their new representation at a grand opening with a band, cocktails, massages and a drawing for Bears tickets. The $50,000 price cut and free parking should help Realtors shuffle in clients. Chieftain put up a huge sign across the street just in time to let everyone know they are planning to jump in on the neighborhood, and perhaps block some views.
Lennar hosted a Realtor appreciation day at Library Tower on Oct. 10. The 4 percent co-op got Realtors’ butts in the door for sure. Friday was for the suburbanites, when Lennar spread the love to all their suburban communities. Thanks to Peter at Concord Commons for the great Jimmy John’s!
CAR will be closing its branch at 2625 W. Peterson Ave. and is looking for a new location to combine that office with a Northwest Side outpost. Agent X has some suggestions if you want to give me a buzz.
Centrum has decided not to follow the Streeterville trend and sold off their plans to build the 40-story condo building. David Hovey has bought the site and plans on building an apartment building.
Busy weekend coming up! Grand Briar is staging an election-inspired party on Tuesday. Agent X has already made an election-day decision, but big bad editor has said I cannot reveal political affiliations. REIA is having a cocktail party for Chicago real estate legends Dan McLean, Judd Malkin and Wayne Moretti on Wednesday. If you don’t know who those people are you should quit the industry now. Jameson’s Crystal Ball is Thursday, as is Coldwell Banker’s forth-annual American Diabetes Fundraiser at the Sherman Ave. office in Evanston.
Lucy Tsitrin got jiggy with it on her birthday on Oct. 12, while Ryan Wynia did the hustle on Oct. 14.
Agent X Keepin’ the “real” in real estate
GOT GOSSIP? Submit it to Agent About Town atagentx@chicago.staging312.com.
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