Alexander Summer, L.L.C.
Commerce
October 2002 -- Alexander Summer, L.L.C., located in
Paramus, NJ, is a family-owned real estate firm that has had
the privilege of playing a leading role in many aspects of
the development of New Jersey for over 75 years. Our
tradition is one of quality service based on integrity and
innovation. Over the years, our clients have included many
of New Jersey's leading corporations, financial
institutions, and private entrepreneurs. The company's
success is highlighted in this interview with COMMERCE
magazine.
COMMERCE: What does your company do and how did it get
started?
A. Alexander Summer, LLC is a commercial real estate
services company, specializing in asset and property
management. The company traces its roots to 1922, when Olga
von Summer became New Jersey's first female real estate
broker. After apprenticing with his mother for several
years, Olga's son, Alexander von Summer Sr., incorporated
the Alexander Summer Company. For nearly eight decades, the
company has succeeded in many areas of real estate, from its
roots in residential real estate sales to development,
property management and brokerage.
Q. What is the company known for?
A. Our company is known not only for its involvement in some
high-profile projects including the Mall at Short Hills, the
Meadowlands Sports Complex, and New Jersey's first
residential high-rise, the Horizon House complex in Fort
Lee, but also for commercial real estate services, including
property management and agency leasing. We pride ourselves
on our commitment to being active members of the community
and for maintaining the highest standards of business
ethics.
Q. When did you join CIANJ and why do you find membership
valuable?
A. We joined CIANJ in 1939 because of a mutual interest in
helping to promote a strong, healthy, and responsible
business environment in New Jersey. Over the years, our
company has benefited greatly from the growth of business in
New Jersey and we value the efforts made by CIANJ to help
bring together businesses for their mutual betterment.
Additionally, CIANJ plays an active and important role in
dealing with legislative issues that impact the business
environment. A company of our size is unable to maintain an
active lobbying presence in Trenton, and we benefit from the
pro-business voice that CIANJ brings.
Q. What CIANJ activities and programs do you attend and
why?
A. Currently, Alexander von Summer III is a member of the
CIANJ Board of Directors and his sister, Kristen von Summer,
is a member Board of Directors for the non-profit,
educational arm of CIANJ: the Foundation for Free
Enterprise (Alexander von Summer and Alexander von Summer,
Jr. both served as past chairmen of CIANJ, see page 19.) In
addition, several of our sales associates also attend the
"Break for Lunch" program and other networking forums like
the cruise aboard The Spirit of N.J. We enjoy the relaxed
settings provided by CIANJ and attend the varied programs to
meet other CIANJ members, and to learn about their
businesses.
Q. What is the best-kept secret about your company?
A. Because our firm's clients range from large corporations
and financial institutions to small private entrepreneurs,
we have the ability to combine personal service with a level
of sophistication demanded by Fortune 500 companies.
Consequently, we relate well to like-minded clients with
family-owned real estate assets as well as to servicing the
needs of corporate america. New Jersey is home to many
strong-family-owned businesses as well as large, publicly
traded companies. Our firm has enjoyed working with both
types of clients.
Q. Why is your business successful?
A. We are a company where entrepreneurship and new ideas are
as valued as hard work. Consequently, our firm has been
quick to adapt to the changing needs of the market.
Furthermore, we have developed and kept long-term client
relationships, which we feel are the cornerstone of our
company. We have learned much from each other as some of
these relationships span 50 years! We are committed to
maintaining a warm and friendly work environment that also
provides opportunities and challenges for those who are a
part of our company. We recognize that people are our
firm's assets and we invest heavily in them.
Q. Describe some of your products and services and your
target market.
A. Our primary focus at Alexander Summer is providing real
estate services to building owners. As owners, we recognize
that owning real estate is like owning a business with a
wide range of needs. Consequently, every one of our
assignments has been custom tailored to fit our client's
needs. The clients that we target are property owners
located in Northern New Jersey and range from modest-sized
assets to large multi-tenanted office buildings.
Q. How can you help member firms of CIANJ, and who are you
looking to network with?
A. Because our business often requires skills that are
outside our immediate area of expertise, we are fortunate to
be able to rely on the skills and experience of the many
high-quality member firms in CIANJ. Our relationships with
other member firms have not only helped us meet our client
needs but also have afforded other member firms with
referrals and new business opportunities. This symbiotic
environment has also provided a helpful support network and
a forum for the exchange of new ideas.
Q. Can you describe your business style?
A. We strive to promote leaders in our firm by operating
under a partnership model. Our firm has a tradition of
making equity available to those individuals who make
lasting contributions to the overall growth of the company.
We have promoted a work environment where no one works for
someone else, but rather with someone else. Furthermore, we
make very clear what everyone's direct responsibilities are
but also encourage everyone to reach beyond their job
description. This business style of teamwork and
accountability for every project provides responsive service
and superior results for our clients.
Q. If one of your customers was asked what you do best, what
would they say?
A. We understand the challenges and needs of today's
commercial real estate property owner. Since we are owners
and operators of real estate ourselves, we are genuine
advisors to other property owners. We have years of
experience that we use to think ahead to maximize the
operations and, ultimately, the profits of a commercial
property. We also have lived through every conceivable
market we started in the depression and survived the
troubled early '90's, so we have not only a long-term
perspective on real estate but also a real understanding of
our clients' needs.
All information furnished regarding properties for sale, rental or financing is from sources deemed reliable but no warranty or representation is made to the accuracy thereof and same is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental or other conditions prior to sale, lease or financing or withdrawal without notice.