Brokerage Lee & Associates has appointed Peter Braus, who most recently served as a managing director, as president of its New York City operation. In his new role, Braus will continue the firm’s work to position itself as a key middle-market commercial brokerage in the city, Lee & Associates said. Braus is succeeding James Wacht, who will step down as president and continue to serve as a managing principal and member of the firm’s executive team, the brokerage said. Braus, who co-founded Lee & Associates NYC in 2011, has more than 25 years of real estate ownership and brokerage experience.
Lee & Associates said Braus played a critical role in several high-profile transactions, including the sale of the Banking Hall at 108 Leonard St. to Jack Shainman Gallery and the 30,000-square-foot lease of commissary space to Union Square Hospitality at Terminal Warehouse. He also helped secure City Winery’s 32,000-square-foot flagship location at Pier 57 in a transaction that was recognized as the Real Estate Board of New York’s 2020 Retail Deal of the Year. In addition to appointing Braus as president, Lee & Associates NYC recently hired Todd Korren as a principal and executive managing director and director of leasing. In his role, Korren leads the day-to-day brokerage operation and recruitment, development and management of agents and staff, Lee said.