STAMFORD, CT – William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty today announced that the firm’s President and CEO, Paul Breunich, was recently invited to join Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC at the podium for the ringing of the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The event took place on December 29th, 2015, and marked the Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s 40th anniversary, a milestone in the luxury residential real estate brokerage business.
Breunich along with President and CEO of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty Patricia Petersen were the only two Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate representatives asked to be honorary guests at the bell ringing event, as the two companies were among the brand’s original members and supporters. Sotheby’s International Realty was originally founded in 1976 by the renowned Sotheby’s Auction House—the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange—and adopted an affiliate model in 2004, with William Pitt and Julia B. Fee as well as Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty joining as two of the brand’s first affiliates. The two were invited in recognition of the early and continued momentum they helped to provide in Sotheby’s International Realty achieving its vision of becoming the preeminent luxury real estate brand in the world.
“I was truly honored to be a part of this monumental brand event,” said Breunich. “Ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange was a once-in-a-lifetime-experience, and a perfect way to bring in the New Year. I couldn’t be prouder to be standing among such a talented and professional group. The brand has come so far over the past 40 years, and I am humbled to be associated with Sotheby’s International Realty’s unparalleled growth, capabilities, network and services in the luxury residential real estate industry.”
"I am very proud of the journey we have taken together with our global luxury real estate network to bring the brand where it is today," said Phillip White, President and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC. "The Sotheby's International Realty brokerage network was built to connect the finest independent residential real estate companies to the most prestigious and discerning clientele in the world. We are honored to be celebrating this milestone by ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange."
To mark the event, Philip White additionally appeared on CNBC’s Closing Bell to discuss the luxury real estate market.
About William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty
Founded in 1949, William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty manages a $3.3-billion-plus portfolio with more than 1,000 sales associates in 29 brokerages spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Westchester County, New York. William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty is the largest Sotheby's International Realty(R) affiliate globally and the 28th-largest real estate company by sales volume in the United States. A full-service real estate firm headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty provides ancillary services including commercial services through its affiliation with Building and Land Technology, a second-generation development company based in Stamford, Connecticut; William Pitt Insurance Services; and an award-winning global relocation division. For more information, visit the website at williampitt.com. Sotheby's International Realty's worldwide network includes approximately 18,000 sales associates located in approximately 825 offices throughout 61 countries and territories.