By Faith Hope Consolo
Chairman, Retail Leasing and Sales Division
Prudential Douglas Elliman

NEW YORK, NYManhattan is syn­onymous with bright lights, soar­ing skyscrapers and, of course, shopping. The city’s gilded avenues boast an array of retail landscapes, all lined with carefully positioned stores.  Placing superstar boutiques in key locations is the job of Faith Hope Consolo, the “queen of retail.” Consolo keeps her finger on the pulse of all that is luxe, en vogue, and everything on the cusp, observ­ing designers that span the globe. According to Consolo, commercial real estate is a specialty that requires a multifaceted balance of vision, creativity and focus.

“I have been fortunate enough to travel and study in other countries, including Paris, where I developed a better understanding of the in­ternational ‘fashion culture.’  The time I spent abroad also gave me a unique view of economic markets,” said Consolo. “When I returned to New York, I quickly realized that the breadth of knowledge I pos­sessed about the fashion industry was a major advantage for me in the business.”

Consolo, chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Retail Leasing and Sales Division, works with high-profile retailers from Europe, Asia, and the U.S., from their first store through their expansions into multiple metropolitan areas. Since joining Prudential Douglas Elliman in January 2005, she has completed numerous deals totaling multi-mil­lions of dollars for some of the most recognized names in retail. Her knowledge, reputation, and taste define her impeccable reputation, along with her unmatched ability to revitalize and sculpt retail corridors across the nation.

Consolo’s relationships with prominent retail players, culled from her extensive travels and experience, afford her an understanding of the wants and needs of consumers.  She has become an expert in every major market, from Manhattan, Chicago, Los Angeles and Palm Beach to Paris, Milan, Seoul, and London.  She manages the 50 Prudential Commercial Services retail offices nationwide and serves as an adviser to international organizations–it is certainly no exaggeration to assert that Consolo “tells the world where to shop.” 

“It is no mistake that jewelers have converged on Madison Ave., and that foreign retailers have found a home in Soho. Shops along New York’s gilded avenues are carefully positioned to maximize their po­tential,” said Consolo, who works closely with designers, accessory gurus, joailliers, fragrance frontrun­ners, hoteliers, restaurateurs, not to mention the landlord and develop­ments czars.

Consolo was a speaker at the Luxury Institute’s Paris confer­ence, “Conversations with Leaders in Luxury,” as well as a consultant to The Luxury Marketing Council and Luxury Institute. Some of the prominent retailers she has brought to Manhattan include Cartier, Ver­sace, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Giorgio Armani, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, Bruno Magli, Christian Louboutin, Fogal, Salvatore Fer­ragamo, Bond No. 9, Calypso, Fresh, Lockes, Miguelina, Niwaka, Paul Smith, Sermoneta, Tous, Wempe, Wolford, and Zara.

Continually lauded for the speed and accuracy with which she ascer­tains market information, Consolo is constantly researching the ever-changing markets. Through writ­ing, researching, webcasting and interviewing for both television and online podcasts, she ensures that the world has access to imperative information. In addition to writing her own eponymous retail report, she authors a column for the Luxury Briefing, which is read by members of the worldwide luxury scene, and writes for Nota Bene-NB Pulse, a premium service offering luxury travel and retail overviews. Consolo is also a regular contributor to the New York Sun, the New York Times and The Real Deal, among many others–journalists look to her for both retail insight and new and noteworthy information.

Demonstrating fervent devotion to her business, Consolo carefully tracks retail trends, such as new neighborhoods and emerging com­panies. She possesses the ability to envision a smaller stretch of retail space and its potential relationship to the larger surrounding area.

“I love to walk around various New York City neighborhoods to understand the nuances of the many retail landscapes,” she said.  “The retail sector is constantly undergo­ing transformation, so it is very important for me to continually raise my awareness of trends and trendsetters.”

A monthly lecturer at various academic institutions and real estate academies, Consolo takes her role as a mentor very seriously, offering support and guidance to anyone who asks. She is also a founding member of the Association of Real Estate Women, recognizing the im­portance of making her profession more welcoming to females. As a recently appointed director of the New York Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women, she demon­strates even more confidence in the increasingly visible role of women in the field. She has also taken on an active role in encouraging high school students to consider pursuing a career in real estate.

“Being able to share my love of retail and real estate with others is a great thrill for me,” said Consolo.  “If I am able to shape one career in the way my mentors have shaped mine, I will be satisfied.”

One of the first women to break into a traditionally male-dominated business, Consolo has proven herself time and again. Her colleagues laud her perseverance and determination to see a deal through completion, while her clients admire her loyalty and extensive market knowledge. After more than 20 years in the business, it has never been more true that, “To find the best in retail, you need Faith.”