Brooklyn's Progress
October/November 2005

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce announced Chris Havens of Two Trees Management Co. LLC as the new Co-chair for its Real Estate & Development (RED) Committee.  Havens joins Hank Auffarth of Citibank N.A. who served as its Chair since this Committee was formed several years ago.

The RED Committee is a group of Chamber Member volunteers from the real estate, development and finance communities that actively works together to identify borough-wide opportunities for business attraction and retention.

This Committee organizes the annual Building Brooklyn Awards to recognize new/renovation projects that have a positive impact on the borough’s economy and quality of life.  The Awards also honor one public and one private sector individual who have made significant contributions toward enhancing the business conditions and economic climate of Brooklyn.

The RED Committee regularly plans and presents various networking and educational activities throughout the year.  Its Members often register their commercial properties with the Chamber's real estate database to assist with finding tenants or buyers. Committee Members frequently share real estate news and research.

Kenneth Adams, President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, said, "Our real estate program is experiencing a rapid growth in the midst of Brooklyn’s remarkable economic renaissance.  Chris and Hank will help us tailor our program to the needs of our 200-plus real estate and development related members.”

Mr. Havens has a 25-year background in real estate, housing and land use. His career began at City Hall, managing legislative and land use affairs for a prominent City Council member, Robert Dryfoos.  Subsequently, he spent 9 years renovating 1,000 housing units in Crown Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Prospect Heights with the City of New York and directing a private company, BEC New Communities HDFC. 
 
Mr. Havens became a residential real estate broker 12 years ago, working for 5 years selling apartments in Manhattan. He then spent 4 ½ years with Insignia/ESG, one of the largest commercial real estate service companies in the world, specializing in office leasing in Downtown Brooklyn and Western Queens and the conversion of industrial properties to office space.
 
In 2002 he joined Two Trees Management Co. in DUMBO as Director of Leasing for their 2 million square foot commercial portfolio.
 
He holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from Hunter College, graduated from Macalester College in Minnesota and is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York.

Mr. Havens moved to Brooklyn in 2003 from Manhattan, returning his family to the borough in which his father and grandfather were raised.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Hank Auffarth, the RED Committee Members, and the Brooklyn Chamber to raise the bar of its Real Estate & Development program,” said Chris Havens.  “This summer, the committee has planned a series of four bus/walking tours to key areas in Brooklyn that will experience significant development over the years.  This is a great opportunity for real estate professionals to learn more about these exciting areas and their potential.  Each tour will feature an expert guide familiar with the various current and planned development of the area.”

To find out more about the Brooklyn Chamber's Real Estate & Development program, please call Mack Tham, Director of Real Estate & Development, at 718-875-1000 ext 142.  Information can also be accessed on the Chamber's Web site by clicking here.