In this week’s BHS Agent Spotlight, we’re featuring Amelia Gewirtz and Andrew Phillips of The Amelia & Andrew Team, the West Side duo known for their client-first approach and standout success across both resale and new development. Recently named recipients of a 2026 REBNY Deal of the Year Award, the pair has built a reputation for thoughtful strategy, strong relationships, and steady results in the NYC market. In their interview, Amelia and Andrew share the mindset behind their success, from navigating unconventional negotiations to fostering lasting connections with clients and co-brokers alike.
If you had to come up with something that separates your team from the 16,000 other real estate professionals in NYC, what would you say that is?
Team: We are very, very positive, hopeful thinkers. It’s in our DNA. Regardless of what is going on in social media and the news, we don’t bring that negativity into the conversation. Our priority is to add positive energy to someone’s day. In addition, we always remember that our co-brokers are not the opposition but our business partners—treat each agent/broker with respect. Brokers/buyers want to do business with someone who knows what they are talking about (get informed on your product) and treats them with respect. Not taking a call during a showing and being present at a showing. Giving respect earns respect. Co-brokers always comment to us that they felt it was a very team-oriented and empathetic experience getting the deal to the closing table with us. Our attitude is we all have the same goal so let’s get it done even if we have to do what technically you were responsible for. Thinking of recent deals in Murray Hill and the East 80s where experienced co-brokers thanked us for helping them get their side closed.
You just recently won a distinguished REBNY Deal of the Year Award. Can you share a little about why the deal was so challenging and impressive to close without giving away too much?
Team: It’s never over till it’s over. The buyer was in the arts so the structures of the offers were bizarre. Not traditional money offers. They featured what a lot of artists do in their business: “barter,” which is exchanging goods and services without using money. They would offer absurdly low purchase prices but with side bonus deals like “a private Broadway performance” in exchange for the sellers’ real estate, which was in a co-op requiring board approval. They started hundreds of thousands below the eventual purchase price. The sellers were not artists so this technique of negotiating was so foreign to them they were stunned and highly insulted. We had to calm them down and we gently kept everyone engaged throughout the process. We would give micro price reductions to keep the buyer engaged while keeping the seller calm. We proved to the seller we were their advocate and we would support what they felt was rightfully their co-op’s value. Eventually the buyer, to everyone’s shock, for lack of a better word, “manifested” enormous cash gifts from MULTIPLE friends and family members, all who were willing to give the cash WITHOUT requiring any part of the ownership. And the buyer suddenly was able to meet the seller at their purchase price, pass the board interview, and get bank financing. The bottom line is: Always remember that when you are representing a seller, you are always working for them—keep trying to make the deal happen—even when it looks like it shouldn’t — never say it’s dead. You might be surprised at a buyer’s creativity and win a REBNY Deal of the Year award in the process.
Favorite Dining Spot on the Upper West Side? What are you ordering?
Andrew: It’s hard to narrow down a favorite but Manny Bistro on Columbus Ave is great—classic French bistro—who doesn’t love a steak frites?
Amelia: Agree with Andrew, it’s hard to narrow it down. For yummy Mediterranean, I love Dagon – the bread alone makes you want to cry. I spend a lot of time at Bella Luna & Gennaro Italian and Kouzan Sushi, and I order in a lot from Pio Pio when the plantains are sweet and the chicken is rotisserie — it’s hard to beat!
You just came off the successful sellout of your new development and ranked as one of the Top 10 New Development Brokers of 2025 by The Real Deal. What is the key to success in new dev and how does that differ from resale?
Team: 155 West 68th Street is not a classic new development — it is a ’60s building that is now selling out all the sponsor-held units. The key to its success is really not pretending it’s in competition with a brand-new build — it’s all about highlighting what you get in the building that you don’t get elsewhere. We are very grateful the sponsor was open to our team’s experience in sales for over 30 years. We always stand by the idea that you are “selling a feeling,” and strategy is key. They were open to the timing we felt on the calendar was important and the rebranding with the address as the lead versus the name which had been used for the life of the building up until that point. Part of what you get is location, location, location at Lincoln Center. Andrew and Amelia both have art/fashion staging backgrounds. Sometimes in resale it’s hard to get an owner to understand how important optics are. This owner of 155W 68 LOVED and appreciated staging. They hired a professional stager, professional artists (those tote bags!) and shout out to the BHS marketing team who were at the top of their game. We were so impressed with the support of BHS marketing, Steve K and Robert L. Everyone involved with launching 155W68 has been awesome. In resale the mindset is different than in selling new development — in a resale you are working for an individual owner/seller and the needs of that individual seller can be very specific — how quickly do they need to sell? How much help do they need in prepping their place for sale? What is the most important need for them — quickest sale? Highest price? Are they willing to have a fresh coat of white paint put on the walls, maybe white paint on the dark wood cabinets, and swap out a few items? Or do they fight you on it? Do they prefer to be right rather than get what they want? Do they understand it potentially affects their final price if they fight you? Do they have little ones? Do they need to limit the time frame for showings to not interrupt naptime? Not all resales are able to have 24/7 access. Logistics with resale and presentation for resale are very different.
What is it about Brown Harris Stevens that is so different from the other brokerages in your humble opinions?
Andrew: Knowing the owners for many years — I have been with Halstead/BHS for about 30 years — knowing that Bess and the owners come from a place of integrity first and always looking out for what is best for a seller — fighting the good fight.
Amelia: Agree with Andrew on this. I have been with Halstead/BHS for about 35 years. My #1 priority is integrity. We get headhunted monthly. We choose to stay. BHS aligns with our values and priorities. Integrity is key. And the seller always comes first. We love that Bess takes on the firms very publicly when she knows they are wrong. She is fierce and not afraid to say what she thinks and has a great sense of humor. My favorite line recently she said at an event in response to private exclusives being a “seller’s choice,” which we all know is NOT in the best interest of the client, is “that’s a wig snatch.”
Favorite building in Manhattan and why?
Andrew: I have to say my favorite building is 155 West 68th Street — besides selling the building in new development, I have lived there for over 30 years — it is very gratifying to walk out my door each day and to run into a recent buyer who always says—Thank You—we love our apartment and we love living here—that is one thing to always put a smile on your face each day!
Amelia: I have a few favorites — like restaurants — it’s hard to pick just one building. Recently I have been spending a lot of time in the lobby of 25 Central Park West. We have a 3BR at the Century condominium, 11AB. Besides being the iconic landmarked Gershwin building and all the spectacular architecture that has been meticulously restored, I am really most impressed by the service-oriented staff. They are over the top positive and helpful. Even to brokers. I guess that’s why there are a lot of combinations and movement throughout the building. Residents try to stay. I watched the staff help someone the other day come home from a wedding. It was the epitome of “service with a smile.” I am also so impressed by the resident manager. He is a class act. Being near Lincoln Center is also a perk.
What is your forecast for the high-end portion of the market in the months ahead?
Andrew: NYC is still the center of the universe — people still come to our city from all around the world — it’s not just the financial capital of the world but for the arts, fashion, and theater — high-end real estate will always continue on in this city — where else could you live with access to so much?
Amelia: I always say “you don’t pay for interior square footage, you pay to walk out your door and have a blast. We live in an amusement park.” That is always agreed to by all buyers and it really comes down to how much they can afford to buy for their piece of the amusement park. We just were speaking to Steve K. a few minutes ago and even with the pied-à-terre tax, none of us see it slowing down. There is a lot of demand. It’s location specific. If you have the right product in the right location, the bottom line is NYC. We are the city of the world. Everyone wants to be here. New York or Nowhere as they say.
If you had to give one piece of advice to an agent starting in this industry what would it be?
Team: ASG: All you have is your reputation. Your word. Integrity is key. Find a mentor or a team to help support you in learning, organizing, and expediting. There is so much “you don’t know what you don’t know.” AMP: Do not look at the other sales agents as your enemy — they can be a very important part of your growth when you start out — look at them as your partners in making deals happen. ASG: Agreed with Andrew — and if you are not prepared to be your clients’ therapist, may we suggest another industry. 🙂
Connect with Amelia and Andrew now at agewirtz@bhsusa.com, aphilips@bhsusa.com, and andrewandamelia@bhsusa.com.
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