As a 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 US, including Jean Paul Gaultier, Faconnable, Jil Sander, Thomas Sabo, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Breuer. In addition, Nordstrom has designated him as its representative in locating a flagship location in Manhattan. He is also developing a Nordstrom Rack program for Manhattan and the outer boroughs of New York City.
His clients have also included Cole Haan, Coach, Tiffany & Co., Eileen Fisher, Wilson’s Leather, and Hastens, to name a few. He is working across the country for the rollout of Paperchase, a division of Borders Books, as well as the 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, Walton Street Capital in New York, Jones Lang LaSalle, and DRA Advisors in addition to individual landlords in New York 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 new San Francisco 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.