Robert Burton began his real estate career at Massey Knakal Realty Services in 1997 and spearheaded Massey Knakal’s expansion from Midtown to Downtown. With his sales team’s assistance, Robert was named the top non-partner salesperson in the company in 2008, and was named the 2011 winner of the annual Richard B. Clark PIER Award Representing Overall Values. To date, Robert has closed nearly $600 million worth of sales.
The team’s recent noteworthy sales have included the sales of 200 Lafayette Street for $50,000,000, The Tristar Portfolio for $50,000,000, 224 Mulberry for $ 26,000,000, 156 Prince Street for $7,800,000, 290 Mulberry Street for $25,000,000,155 Spring Street for $31,500,000, the Norman Portfolio for $29,000,000, the sale of 142-144 Greene Street to Paul Smith for $27,250,000, the sale of 224 Mulberry Street for $23,000,000, and the sale of 231 Bowery to The New Museum of Contemporary Art for $18,600,000.
Some of his clients include the Archdiocese of New York, the Zaccaro Family, Aurora Capital, Thor Equities, The National Theatre for the Handicapped, Beck Street Capital, Centaur Properties, Contrarian Capital, Crescent Heights, Daroma Restaurant Equipment, Edison Properties, Makkos Equities, the New Museum of Contemporary Art, Red Brick Properties, Regal Investments, Rigby Management, and Stonehenge Partners.
Currently Robert and his team are listing properties for sale with an aggregate sales price of over $200,000,000. The key to his success is a team approach. Robert’s team must be knowledgeable on all aspects of their listings, so when they are speaking with a client, a buyer, or a broker, they can relay up to the minute information. When a seller hires Robert’s team, he or she is not getting the expertise of one broker, but an entire team with the backing of the top brokerage firm in the industry.
Robert oversees the team's operations, client interaction, and negotiations with buyers. His team supports the execution of their listings and the generation of new business. They also facilitate cooperation with the outside brokerage community and conduct the majority of property tours. Together, they underwrite property valuations, provide market analysis and comparable sales information, and prepare marketing materials. Collectively they handle all aspects of the sale process from underwriting to closing.
Robert has been fortunate to receive several distinctions over his 14 year career at Massey Knakal Realty Services. He received the 2000 and the 2006 Louis Brause Award for Outstanding Business Development and Goodwill Promotion. He won the 2006 Richard Marcinko Award for Exhibiting Tenacity, Loyalty and Single-Mindedness of Purpose in the Pursuit of Excellence. In 2008 he won the John H. Holler Non-Partner Top Salesman of the Year Award.
Robert’s involvement in the real estate community is diverse. He is a regular guest lecturer on real estate at Esther Muller’s continuing education programs, and is also a source of information for publications including the New York Times, New York Post, New York Magazine, Real Estate Weekly, and the Mann Report. For the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), Robert was appointed to its lower Manhattan Office Building Committee, as well as its Downtown Residential Brokerage Committee.
Additionally, Robert is involved in the not-for-profit world. He serves as a board member of Opening Act, which brings free quality after school acting programs to 10 of the most underserved local high schools.
Robert is a graduate of the University of Santa Clara and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He served in the Air National Guard in Van Nuys, California after basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where he was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal.
Robert’s previous work experience includes more than five years at the Wall Street firm L.F. Rothschild, Unterberg, Towbin in its marketing department where he coordinated special events, conferences and road shows. Mr. Burton has also been a professional actor for more than 40 years. He is an active member of the Screen Actors Guild, the Actors Equity Association and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He has an extensive list of star and guest star television roles including TRILOGY OF TERROR, DYNASTY, PRAY FOR THE WILDCATS, BLACK WIDOW, VEGA$, NURSE and CANNON. His film roles include COMA, WON TON TON and BULLITT and he starred in a number of daytime television contract roles including ANOTHER WORLD, RYAN'S HOPE, AS THE WORLD TURNS, TEXAS and ONE LIFE TO LIVE.
Robert is now an author. His book, “7 Days To Your Next Job”, is available on his website www.robertburton.com
Robert is a tournament bass fisherman and an avid traveler. In 2007, he went to China and South America; in 2008 to Russia and India; and in 2009 to Greece and Egypt. Over Christmas 2011 he spent 10 days in Israel touring the Holy Land. He is a licensed private pilot and is currently studying for his instrument and seaplane ratings.
Robert is a 35 year resident of Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood. He can be reached in the Manhattan office at 212.696.2500 x7770, or by email at
rburton@masseyknakal.com