Skyline Views - The Farallon

Spring/Summer 2014
Skyline Views
Sudler Recognized at 2014
IREM Premier Awards Event
Sudler Property Management recently received the 2014
Management Company of the Year Award from the Chicago
Chapter of The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).
This is the fourth year that Sudler has earned the award,
having previously received it in 2006, 2007, and 2011.
Sudler is the only management company to achieve a fourtime distinction in this category in recent years.
In addition to the four Management Company of the Year
Awards, Sudler has earned two Technology and Design
Awards, one in 2010 and another in 2012; marking Sudler
as a six-time winner in the past seven years.
IREM provides education, resources and information to an
international membership of real estate management professionals. The 700 -member Chicago chapter holds an
annual Premier (Professional Real Estate Management Information Education Recognition) awards event to acknowledge
achievement in several categories. The Management Company of the Year award is presented to an organization that
demonstrates leadership and innovation in the real estate
management profession and exhibits high professional standards through education, experience, and ethical conduct.
At this year’s gala, Joseph Goldblatt, 2014 national president
of IREM, presented the award to Sudler. Goldblatt stated,
“Sudler has proven that the bottom line is much more than
money or portfolio size. They realize that the true bottom
line is the advancement of the real estate industry and the
professionals in it.”
Sudler President Steven Levy attributes winning the award
to several factors: a strong record of service to clients;
high property retention level; low corporate turnover;
unique accredited training programs; long-standing commitment to customer and community service; a progressive
cost saving insurance program; and a high level of accountability and pride in accomplishment.
Upon receiving the honor he thanked IREM and the selection
committee for recognizing Sudler. He also thanked his clients for their continued trust and support and his associates
for their continued heightened interest in pushing the envelope in terms of delivering five-star service at all times.
Now on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/sudlerchicago
Message from the President
Sudler has been tremendously successful in 2014 in terms of new accounts, client retention, employee retention, and service delivery. We
are stronger than ever. Our supervisory staff has significantly improved
this past year and our corporate office has increased its collaboration to
yield new initiatives, forward-thinking, and extreme customer focus.
Since 1927, Sudler has managed many of Chicago’s finest addresses.
Over the past nine decades, we have grown from a small management
firm to Chicago’s largest residential property management firm, exclusively serving condominium associations, cooperatives, and townhomes
located in the heart of Chicago. I would like to share some interesting
statistics with you:
• Sudler presently manages 105 residential communities.
• Our communities consist of 19,379 residences.
• There are 38,570 people living in our managed properties.
• Our staff attends 979 board of directors’ meetings each year.
• Sudler managers and supervisors support 665 board members.
• Sudler oversees more than 1,400 employees.
Our success is not about one person. It takes a unified team of hard-working and very dedicated professionals to maintain an exemplary reputation. We have the finest managers, accountants, administrative staff, and building staff in the industry. Their combined knowledge
and experience enables Sudler to provide the best and most cost-effective management services to our clients while protecting and enhancing the value of their homes.
As I have said in years past, I believe that we understand the market and our clients better
than anyone else. It is my fellow associates who make Sudler stand out among the competition. I extend my sincerest gratitude to each and every one of them. With their efforts, we
will continue to do everything we can to maintain an outstanding level of service.
I look forward to many more years of working with our great team and continuing to provide an opportunity for residents to “come home to excellence.” Sudler will remain,
FIRST IN SERVICE.
Steven P Levy, PCAM
President, Sudler Property Management
Welcome to Five Condo Associations...
Sudler recently acquired new management
contracts for five condominium associations,
adding to a portfolio that includes more than
100 high-rise, cooperative, and townhouse
properties. Recognized as a leader in their
field (see pg. 1 story), Sudler has been part
of the residential property management
industry in Chicago for more than 85 years.
Their primary focus is management of fine
residential properties along Chicago’s lakeshore and riverfront. Stated Sudler President
Steven Levy, “We welcome these new associations to the Sudler family and pledge a commitment to delivering superior service with
integrity and ingenuity.”
ONE EAST SCHILLER CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
ONE RIVER PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
Erected in the 1920s, One River Place is located on
Chicago’s riverfront in the heart of Kingsbury Park.
One of the first cast-in-place concrete structures
in Chicago, it originally served as headquarters for
mail-order giant Montgomery Wards. A bronze statue dubbed “The Spirit of Progress,” acquired from
the 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair, sits atop
the tower on the building’s northeast corner. In 1978
the building was named a national historic landmark.
After Wards’ bankruptcy in 2001, the portion of the
structure that had served as merchandise headquarters was converted into 241 loft condominiums, which
feature 12 to 15-foot-high ceilings and unit sizes from
710 to 2,300 square feet. Private balconies and an
open-air rooftop deck allow residents to capture riverfront and cityscape panoramas. Additional amenities
include a fitness center, 24-hour door staff, indoor
parking, and access to a scenic river walk. “We chose Sudler because we felt they had the right
people, experience, processes, and technology to
Located on the Gold Coast, just a two-block walk from
Lake Michigan, this 23-story high-rise was constructed in 1964. The structure comprises 78 units and
offers diverse layouts, including 1 to 3 bedrooms, a
standard master bedroom of 143 square feet, and
an average living space of 950 square feet. Featured
amenities include 24-hour door staff, on-site valet
parking, central air-conditioning, and a coin-operated
laundry facility. One East Schiller is also a pet-friendly
building. “We were impressed with the commitment expressed
by Steven Levy and all of the staff that we met.”
Pearl Greenstein, Condo Board President
manage our building. We were looking for fresh
viewpoints and new perspectives, and Sudler’s history
made them the right partner for that.”
Aaron Stine, Condo Board President
New Additions to Sudler’s Portfolio
1366 NORTH DEARBORN PARKWAY
6030 N. SHERIDAN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
This vintage fourteenstory building, completed in 1926, was
designed by architects
McNally & Quinn. The
tapestry brick and cutstone exterior invokes
Italian Renaissance
palazzo features, particularly in its three-story
stone base and rooftop
balustrade. Wood and
marble appointments
are featured throughout the building and
are especially prominent in the elaborately fashioned lobby.
There are three condos
per floor, including a
one-bedroom and two
three-bedroom, three-bath units. Originally a rental
building, the initial brochure emphasized the building’s fashionable location. In 1980 the building was
converted to condominiums. “We believe that Sudler has the right tools, the right
attitude, and the right professionals.”
Bob Friedlander, Condo Board President
This brick façade structure was initially erected
in 1951 as a 262-unit rental building, including
studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. In
2003 developers renovated the units and converted them into condominiums. Residents enjoy
its convenient location, which is easily accessible
to public transportation, steps away from Lake
Michigan, and walking distance to shopping,
neighborhood restaurants, and Loyola University‘s Lakeshore campus. The building features a
fitness room, on-site management, 24-hour door
staff, and indoor rental parking. “Sudler has competitive pricing, coupled with a
good reputation that was apparent to us from
feedback we received from other condo boards.”
Judith Gabeau, Condo Board President
LOFTS AT MUSEUM PARK
Built as new construction in 2004, this midrise structure
is located at 1305 S. Michigan, just blocks away from
the Museum Campus, Soldier Field, and Grant Park. The
development is part of a nationally acclaimed lakefront
neighborhood that blends diversity in condo and townhouse
architectural style with brick-paved streets, grand boulevards, and manicured parks. It features 202 loft-style condominiums with various floor plans and amenities, such as
floor to ceiling windows and spacious balconies. Additional
amenities include an exercise room, 24-hour door staff, and
heated indoor parking. “We wanted a company that was proactive rather than
reactive. After interviewing members of their management
team and listening to feedback from other condo boards,
it was clear that Sudler had an infrastructure to support a
proactive approach.”
Michael Miller, Condo Board President
Meet Virginia Major
Virginia Major has been a Sudler employee for nearly thirty years. She
did not set out to be a part of the property management industry, nor
did she think she would work at only one company for such an extended length of time. Her career began serendipitously shortly after
college. While seeking employment as a social worker, she agreed to
take a temporary position as assistant manager for one of Sudler’s clients. It did not take long for Sudler executives to recognize that Major
would be an asset to the company. Within a week, she was asked to
work full-time.
“Everyone wants to be associated with a company that has high
standards...Sudler has repeatedly proven that they are that kind
of company.”
Virginia Major
Five things to consider
before hiring a new
management company:
Since then, Major has never looked back. She’s worked as an assistant manager or manager for several Sudler clients. Currently, she is
property manager for the 630 N. State Parkway Condominium Association, where for the past ten years, she has enthusiastically worked
to ensure that building residents “come home to excellence.” Following
are some of Major’s comments about her professional life.
Why do you enjoy working for Sudler?
Everyone wants to be associated with a company that has high standards and maintains a good reputation in their field. Sudler has repeatedly proven that they are that kind of company. They are on the
forefront of technology use, they‘re pro-active when it comes to education for their employees, and they provide back-up for their property managers. For example, if I, as a building manager, am wrestling
with any given issue, I know I can seek assistance from the corporate
office. Not only will they be supportive, but they will do everything
possible to find a viable solution. I’m proud to be part of an organization like that.
What do you like most about your work?
•Knowledge base
I like the fact that no day is ever the same. There is variety in everything I do. And even though many managers shy away from it, I
especially love doing capital projects. I like the idea of improving a
building in a massive way. But more than all of that, I enjoy the residents. Throughout the years, I’ve met many remarkable people, and
it’s working with and for them that has made the job worthwhile.
•Leadership
Which of your work contributions has made you most proud?
•Added Value
•Commitment
•Responsiveness
If you would like Sudler Property
Management to provide a quote to
manage your property, please contact
Steven Levy at
312.706.2320 or
slevy@sudlerchicago.com
Maybe it comes from my social work training, but I’m most proud of
my ability to relate to the residents, not only when it comes to condo
issues, but when it comes to all of life’s issues. I see the residents on a
daily basis, and many of them talk to me about personal matters. They
come to trust me like a close family member. I try to honor that trust
with dignity, respect, and understanding.
What advice would you give board members?
Find a building manager that you trust. As professionals, building
managers know for the most part what needs to be done. But as
board members you need to believe that the manager you’ve chosen
will send you down the right path.
Join the Summer Festivities in Chicago
Chicago is a wonderful city in the summertime. There are celebrations and festivals galore. If you
wanted, you could spend every weekend tasting a new food, hearing some new music, or just enjoying
the atmosphere at any number of neighborhood festivals and citywide celebrations.
One of the most comprehensive listings of Chicago’s summer festivals is published annually in May by
the StreetWise organization. Chicago Magazine also offers a partial list in its events section. The City
of Chicago website is another resource. Then of course there’s the Google search engine. If you search
for “summer festivals Chicago 2014” you will get a lengthy list of sites that explore the summer festival scene. Here’s just a sampling of the variety of festivals the city has to offer this summer:
Fiesta Del Sol July 31–Aug.3 Loomis St. and Cermak
Sudler Property Management
The John Hancock Center
875 N. Michigan Ave., #3980
Chicago, IL 60611
312.751.0900
www.sudlerchicago.com
www.facebook.com/sudlerchicago
Ginza-Tokyo Holiday
Festival, Aug. 8–10 Midwest Buddhist Temple
435 W. Menomonee
Chicago Dancing Festival
August 20-25
Multiple City Locations
Chicago Fashion Fest
Aug. 23–24 Division Street from
Wolcott to Paulina