As a founding principal of Madison Retail Group, Stephen J. Stephanou has had extensive experience in tenant and landlord representation, along with varied background in retail real estate development and contract negotiations for owners, developers and retailers across the country.
Since the formation of Madison Retail Group, Mr. Stephanou has represented international retailers in the U.S., including Jean Paul Gaultier, Façonnable, Jil Sander, Jack Wills, Sabo, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Breuer. Originally designated by Nordstrom to explore flagship opportunities in Manhattan, he is now developing a Nordstrom Rack program for New York City. He represented Nordstrom Rack for its first Manhattan store on Union Square, which will open in Spring 2010.
Additionally, since the formation of Madison Retail Group, his clients have also included Cole Haan, Coach, Tiffany & Co., Eileen Fisher, Wilson’s Leather, and Hastens, to name a few. Along with Virginia Pittarelli, he has represented the retail brands of retail brands of Liz Claiborne, including Kate Spade, Lucky Brand Jeans, and Juicy Couture.
On the agency side, Stephen has represented and leased retail properties on behalf of Lend Lease Real Estate Investments in Texas and California; Equitable Life Insurance in San Diego: Brookfield Properties, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Walton Street Capital in New York; as well as DRA Advisors in addition to individual landlords in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. He also represented Morgan Stanley with several retail properties in New York and San Francisco, including bringing Barneys to 48 Stockton Street, its second West Coast flagship. He is also the exclusive representative for retail space being developed at the New York Marriott Hotel on Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
Prior to Madison Retail Group, Mr. Stephanou was Senior Vice President of retail development in the New York office of Lend Lease Real Estate Investments, Inc., previously The Yarmouth Group.
Mr. Stephanou began his career as a real estate attorney in Los Angeles, later joining Federated Department Stores as in-house counsel. After eight years with Federated, he joined Macy’s as Group Vice President of Real Estate.
He is a licensed Real Estate Broker in New York, an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Retail Stores Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York.
Mr. Stephanou graduated with honors from the University of California at Los Angeles and received his Juris Doctor from Loyola University of Los Angeles, where he was a member of the Law Review.