We’re a team of power players! Several of The Agency’s own were named to The Hollywood Reporter’s L.A. Power Broker List (comprising just 35 agents!) and nominated for The Hollywood Reporter’s 3rd Annual Los Angeles Power Broker Awards.
The awards ceremony was hosted by The Agency’s CEO and Founder Mauricio Umansky and took place Wednesday evening at the iconic 1920s Castillo del Lago estate in the Hollywood Hills. The night included a sit-down dinner followed by an awards presentation honoring the powerhouse agents on The Hollywood Reporter’s L.A. Power Broker List. Read on for a rundown of The Agency team members who made the cut.
Mauricio Umansky, Paul Lester and Santiago Arana. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
The Hollywood Reporter’s L.A. Power Broker List
Known for their clear communication and hard-won market experience, Paul and Aileen have achieved more than $250 million in annual sales and repped A-List clients—such as Get Out producer and heir to the Hamm’s Beer fortune Edward Hamm Jr. in his purchase of a $91 million Malibu home from video game mogul Jonathan Burton (as reported by WSJ). Visit THR’s article for Aileen and Paul’s perspective on the current market.
As founders of the award-winning Grauman + Rosenfeld group, Jon and Adam are among the industry’s most successful and productive teams. The pair, who appear alongside the Umanskys on Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills, achieved $567 million in sales over 12 months. Visit THR’s article for Grauman’s insight on buyer movements and “the next real estate boom.”
This dynamic duo has “become champions of L.A.’s upscale condo market, handling the purchase of a $21 million penthouse at The Century, the biggest condo sale of the past 12 months,” notes THR. James and David are also leading sales (along with The Agency Development Group) of the $2.5 billion Century Plaza development. James and David are even sharing their industry knowledge with aspiring real estate moguls, having just launched their first real estate course titled The 1% Blueprint.
“We also broke the record of the highest-priced condominium sale per square foot in Los Angeles with the sale of Residence 902 at Pendry Residences West Hollywood,” David told THR.
“Real estate is a family affair for us, and one of the best things about being a real estate agent is getting to help other families find their dream home,” Mauricio said in an interview with THR. He leads The Umansky Team, which includes his sister Sharon Umansky-Benton, father Eduardo Umansky and daughters Alexia Umansky and Farrah Brittany. “We genuinely have a great time and love supporting each other. It’s great to have a group of people you trust to bounce ideas off of and talk through deals with.”
In addition to record breaking deals, Mauricio is now competing on the 32nd season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. He also wrote his first book this year, The Dealmaker: How to Succeed in Business & Life Through Dedication, Determination & Disruption. Mauricio’s current listings (along with The Agency’s James Harris & David Parnes) include The Reserve in Holmby Hills, listed for $85 million.
Plus “with The Agency’s Netflix reality show ‘Buying Beverly Hills’ renewed for a second season, the Umanskys continue to make real estate a feel-good affair,” notes THR.
“Santiago Arana, who led The Agency’s expansion to South Florida last year, had a banner year with $513 million in sales, including co-selling Ben Affleck’s home in Pacific Palisades for $28.5 million,” notes THR.
“One of the greatest things about the high-end areas of the L.A. market,” Santiago explained to the publication, “is that, with every recession or down market, we’re the last to fall and the first to bounce back. I have no doubt in the near future that L.A. real estate will be on fire again.” Santiago is currently co-listing a Mediterranean-style home owned by ex-couple Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello in Beverly Hills that’s on the market for $15.95 million, as reported by Forbes.
From Left: Jon Grauman, Matt Altman, Adam Rosenfeld and Santiago Arana. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
The Awards Ceremony
Wednesday evening’s events kicked off with sunset hour cocktails, followed by a gourmet dinner hosted in Madonna’s former home and an awards ceremony led by Mauricio—who was also named winner of THR’s Media Maverick Award.
(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
“It was an honor to host and toast all these incredible agents,” said Mauricio. “It’s inspiring to see their success and work alongside them in this industry. They’re focused, driven and also just really good people. Big congrats to all the honorees, this was a beautiful night!”
Read on to see the teams and agents who won or were nominated for separate standout awards.
Media Maverick Award
Mauricio Umansky – WINNER
Stratospheric Sale Of the Year
Aileen Comora & Paul Lester – NOMINEES
Condo Sale of the Year
James Harris, David Parnes – WINNERS, $21M sale at The Century
Leo Medeiros, Bridget Reeves – NOMINEES
Celebrity Property Portfolio
Santiago Arana – NOMINEE
James Harris of Bond Street Partners, won Condo Sale of the Year for their $21 million sale at The Century, accepted the award on behalf of himself and partner David. “The Hollywood Reporter was the first list David and I made in 2016,” Harris said at the event. “And I remember just thinking to myself, that’s it. I’ve made it. We’re done. We’re great. This is the best thing ever. And it’s the one list that gets published every year that has a sentimental value to us and that we always want to make.”
(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
Congratulations to all our nominees and winners!
For more information about The Hollywood Reporter’s 3rd Annual Power Broker Awards, visit HollywoodReporter.com.
