This week we spotlight Barbara Fox, Founder of Fox Residential Group, who recently joined BHS’ East Side Office along with her accomplished team. A celebrated industry leader and recipient of the Henry Forster Lifetime Achievement and Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Awards, Barbara brings decades of experience. In her Spotlight interview, she offers her top business tips for real estate success, weighs in on the Upper East Side market, reveals her favorite NYC dining spots, discusses where she sees the greatest value in the city right now, and much more.
After a long career founding and running Fox Residential Group, you have decided to have yourself and your team align yourself for the next chapter of your career with BHS. Why BHS?
There comes a time when you want to simplify your life and free yourself of some heavy-duty responsibility. I never intend to stop working – doing deals is still so fun and fulfilling – but the responsibilities of owning a company can be daunting, and I’ve done it for 37 years. I chose BHS because it has many of the finest, most upstanding brokers and agents in the city, it’s still a privately held company, the management is absolutely top notch, and its reputation is impeccable.
You are a legend in this industry with a wealth of knowledge, share with us one of your important business tips that leads to success as a real estate professional?
Keeping your reputation and your word pure is one of the most important ways a broker can succeed in residential real estate.
For years you have been at the top of the Upper East Side with your privately held boutique luxury brokerage, how is the Upper East Side doing in terms of interest level vs. other markets?
The Upper East and West Sides, where I have lived all my life in New York City, represent the premier environments to house your family in clean, convenient, safe neighborhoods. We’ve witnessed a resurgence of interest in the Upper East Side in the past few years, in large part due to its proximity to multiple schools and medical facilities and being home to the most luxurious buildings with long and storied histories.
Where is your favorite place to dine in NYC and what are you ordering?
One of my UES favorites is Orsay, on 75th and Lexington, a terrific French bistro atmosphere with great food and drinks. It features one of the best tuna tartares and French onion soups I’ve ever tasted, and I recommend going on a Monday — prime rib night, cut and served at the table – love that!
What or where is the greatest value in NYC right now and why?
The prewar apartments – frequently estate apartments – are often both the best buy now, as well as being the most interesting and elegant spaces. There is a huge upside – both for living there and for resale — in buying a classic prewar apartment for a reasonable price and then renovating it to your taste and needs, which will create real value should you later decide to sell.
Share something few know about you.
Most people know about my love of animals and animal rescue, but — except for my husband — few know that I became very interested in cooking during Covid and have kept at it ever since, often creating new dishes.
Share a photo from your camera roll on your phone that means a lot to you and share why.
Isn’t it obvious why?!?!?!
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