Monthly Archives: February 2010

THE MARKETING DIRECTORS BRINGS HOME THE GOLD WITH TOP HONORS AT THE 2010 NATIONALS

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NEW YORK, NY – The Marketing Directors, Inc. has once again made a mark at the International Builders’ Show (IBS), receiving Gold Awards in four categories from The National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC) of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The Manhattan-based sales/leasing and marketing firm received Gold Awards for “Community of the Year” and “Best Sales Center” for Crystal Point, an iconic 42-story, 269-home condominium building situated along the Hudson River in Jersey City, N.J. facing downtown Manhattan.

Gold Awards were also presented to The Marketing Directors’ Dawn Nassaney for “Sales Person of the Year” and Dara Commorata for “Rookie Sales Person of the Year.”  This year the company received a total of 17 awards at the prestigious competition.

“Much of this firm’s success is due to the expertise of our in-house team, a collection of the most talented professionals in the industry,” says Adrienne Albert, CEO of The Marketing Directors, Inc.  Last year, Ms. Albert was inducted into the National Sales and Marketing Council’s Hall of Fame as a Legend of Residential Marketing, the first woman in the Hall’s history.

“Our ability to discern what makes a superior sales and marketing person in conjunction with our comprehensive and finely tuned training program has given these individuals the tools needed to put forth winning projects that drive results for our clients.  As a result our sales and marketing professionals are continually recognized for their outstanding performance, and now Dawn and Dara join the long list of Marketing Directors who have received awards for sales excellence.“

Winners were chosen from among hundreds of submissions by a diverse panel of judges coming from a variety of regions and backgrounds with different levels of experience and expertise. Awards were presented during the well-attended 29th annual NationalsSM Awards Gala which was held in Las Vegas.

The NationalsSM – which originated as the MIRM Awards in 1982 – recognizes superior new home sales and marketing achievements. The nation’s largest competition, The NationalsSM award ceremony is held each year as part of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) annual International Builders’ Show (IBS).

About The Marketing Directors

The Marketing Directors is a full service marketing and sales/rental organization specializing in new homes and recognized as a national leader in high density residential development serving many of the industry’s most prominent developers across the United States and Canada since 1980.  The company is led by founder Adrienne Albert, who was inducted into the National Sales and Marketing Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Hall of Fame as a Legend of Residential Marketing in 2009 — the first woman to be inducted into the “Hall” in its 16-year history.  David Tufts leads The Marketing Directors, SE formed in 2007.  Jacqueline Urgo leads the NE operation. The Marketing Directors presently represents condominium and rental developers in markets such as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina and Mexico.  For more information, call 212-826-8822 or visit www.themarketingdirectorsinc.com

Crystal Point in Jersey City recognized on national stage

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January 31, 2010

Crystal Point in Jersey City recognized on national stage with prestigious ‘Community of the Year’ award

Crystal Point, Fisher Development Associates’ iconic 42-story condominium building on Jersey City’s Hudson River waterfront, was crowned with the prestigious Gold Award for “Community of the Year” during the 2010 National Association of Home Builder’s (NAHB) annual International Builders’ Show recently in Las Vegas, Nev.

Given by the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC), the celebrated achievement distinguishes the collection of 269 upscale residences and resort-style amenities located in the heart of this Hudson County city’s downtown district as the best new attached home community in North America.

Crystal Point was also recognized as a Gold Award winner for “Best Sales Center” and The Marketing Directors, Inc., the building’s marketing and exclusive sales agent, took home Silver Awards for Sales Person of the Year and Sales Rookie of the Year.

The awards were announced during the annual National Sales and Marketing Awards – called The Nationals – a yearly competition which recognizes innovation in new home design and marketing and sales efforts. Crystal Point was selected from among hundreds of submissions by a diverse panel of judges comprising marketing specialists, builders, architects, consultants and other industry professionals.

Lauded despite disadvantages in competition

“The Community of the Year award is a significant achievement for Crystal Point, especially when you consider the building went head-to-head with some of the most prestigious residential properties in North America and prevailed despite being located in the New York City market where high land prices, construction costs, and price-per-square foot levels put it at a disadvantage against its competitors,” says Adrienne Albert, CEO of The Marketing Directors, Inc.

“For example, 25 percent of the entries this year were Canadian where there aren’t difficult market conditions to overcome. Many others were located out west where sprawling, volume spaced homes can be introduced at much lower prices based on development costs than what we are confronted with in the New York Metro area.

The accolades for Crystal Point come as the building celebrates some of its most important milestones, the most significant being the arrival of the first-homeowners who are now residing in their upscale new condominium homes and enjoying its exciting urban lifestyle.

The noteworthy announcements do not end there, indicates says Brian Fisher, a principal of Fisher Development Associates. The unveiling of a new sales center and model homes located within the building at 2 Second St. after the New Year has spurred impressive sales interest as buyers marvel at the magnificent water views which stretch from downtown Manhattan all the way to the George Washington Bridge and imagine themselves living in this sought-after residential address.

Visitors to Crystal Point have been extremely impressed with the amount of ongoing activity at the building. In addition to professionally-decorated model homes, they can now see for themselves the elegant lobby and sparkling exterior and the state-of-the-art amenities are expected to open within a few weeks.

Waterfront setting, and more

Crystal Point features a crystalline-style glass exterior and has been designed to maximize the building’s waterfront setting and views of the ever changing Manhattan skyline. Inside, one-, two-and three bedroom homes will range from 800 to 1,817 square-feet and offer an array of premium finishes. Residents will also benefit from free on-site parking.

“‘Features will include kitchens with Italian Pedini wood and glass cabinetry, sparkling quarlzite counters, under-cabinet task lighting, full height pantries, islands with breakfast bars and a full Jenn-Air appliance suite,” Ms. Albert points out.

“Floor-to-ceiling windows will drench the homes in natural light and many of the residences will offer river front balconies. Each residence will also have SMART home technology capabilities and a washer and dryer.”

Homes at Crystal Point are made even more attractive thanks to a 30-year tax abatement that has been granted to the building. Residences are priced from the low-$500,000s.

Crystal Point’s superb amenities include the Crystal Spa with a thermal bath, sauna, steam and treatment rooms. Residents will also enjoy a yoga/aerobics room, state-of-the-art fitness center, lounge with flat screen televisions, game room with billiard and poker tables, children’s play room and a screening room within the Crystal Club.

“An outdoor deck overlooking the Hudson River will feature a lap pool, hot tub, private cabanas and lounge chair seating, as well as a BBQ and dining area, fire pits and a children’s play area.” Ms. Albert says. “The building will also offer a professional concierge, valet parking and lobby level restaurant.”

“The layouts of the homes themselves often create large square rooms and sprawling living spaces that are open, airy and extremely functional.”

Crystal Point is conveniently located between the Paulus Hook and Newport sections of Jersey City and steps from PATH trains at both Exchange Place and Newport with direct access into New York City and a Light Rail station.

For additional information on Crystal Point, please call (201) 433-7778 or visit www.crystalpointcondos. com.

Crystal Clear: Developer has no doubt what’s drawing buyers to Jersey City tower

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January 27, 2010

Crystal Clear: Developer has no doubt what’s drawing buyers to Jersey City tower

By John Majeski

Dubbed the “crown jewel” of Jersey City’s waterfront, Crystal Point is a glass-exterior, 42-story condominium project on Second Street.

The eye-catching structure is hard to miss.

“It’s a real luxury building and really at one of the most unbelievable locations,” said Brian Fisher, a principal of Fisher Development Associates, Crystal’s Point’s developer.

Hard to argue with that. This mix of 269 one-, two-and three-bedroom units is surrounded by water on two sides: the Hudson River on one and Avalon Cove on the other. The banks of the Hudson River overlooking Manhattan are less than 25 feet away from the building.

Making use of floor-to-ceiling glass, every unit is said to have a view. Within sight are Manhattan, the Verrazano and George Washington bridges and Jersey City.

Units range in size from 800 to 1,817 s/f. Prices begin in the “high fours” and run up to $1.7 million, Fisher said. Construction finished at the end of the year during the down market, but was started two years ago — when the economy was a lot stronger than now. Fisher admitted that prices had to be adjusted, but added that all is well.

“Prices since we first opened have been raised,” he said. “We see that demand is strong. Our sales pace is speeding up … because of the quality of the finishes. It’s a striking looking building, and it’s got the most unbelievable views.”

Fisher Development Associates is running and managing the property where people are now moving in. About half of the units are under contract, Fisher said last week.

Crystal Point has attracted “all types” of buyers so far, Fisher said, including those who work in Manhattan but want more bang for their buck across the river. The Exchange Place PATH station is nearby, as are the Light Rail, the ferry and various major highways.

“You can commute in a matter of minutes,” Fisher said of Manhattan. “You get a nice lifestyle for really about half of the cost. That’s a big incentive to moving to Jersey City. It has a lot of restaurants, lots of attractions.”

The New York City-based Gruzen Samton LLP handled the project’s design.

Residents can expect a high-end lifestyle at Crystal Point. There is concierge service, including valet parking for free as well as the Crystal Club, an amenities floor with spa, outdoor pool and hot tub, a fitness area, and game room with billiards tables. The building also features a lounge with catering kitchen, media room, children’s play areas and cabanas.

Fisher also discussed their “virtual concierge system” called CrystaLife where services can be accessed from a cell phone or computer.

Inside the units, there are washers and dryers, high-end kitchen appliances, wide plank maple floors, concealed heating and air-conditioning, imported touches in the kitchens and bathrooms, glass-enclosed showers.
A good number of the condos have balconies or terraces.

Fisher said officials are negotiating with a restaurant tenant, too.

Fisher Development, based in Purchase, New York, is no stranger to Jersey City. They have also done Liberty Towers, a 648-unit rental; Liberty Terrace, a 119-unit condo building; and nearby in Hoboken, the 300-unit rental Hudson Park.

“The market for us is great,” Fisher said. “That proves the quality of the development. People see the value here…. The market is soft, but they’re able to get a great value.”

The company is currently looking for other projects in Jersey City and elsewhere. “We like the area. We think the area is still good. The [next] project we do will be a rental. The rental market is doing pretty well. For us, the condo market is doing well. It’s not doing what it was doing years ago, but it’s about adjusting to more appropriate levels.”

Crystal Point is FHA-approved, Fisher pointed out.
“It’s a great opportunity to buy with all incentives the federal government is providing,” he said. “People see great value here.”