Stanley Michael Brecker, a well-known London commercial property figure for more than 60 years and co-founder of Brecker Grossmith, has died at the age of 91.
Brecker co-founded the property firm with his partner, the late Stanley Grossmith, in 1956. The business developed from a small fourth floor room at 63 Wigmore Street in the West End into a leading agency. By the 1960s it employed over 70 people occupying all of 63 and 65 Wigmore Street.
Brecker Grossmith advised property magnates including: Sir Max (later Lord) Rayne, the creator of Merchant Securities which merged with Derwent Valley to become Derwent London; Harry Hyams, who developed Centre Point, one of London's first skyscrapers; and property development company Hammerson among many others.
Other clients included Jack and Philip Rose, in whose memory the Rose Foundation was established for building projects.
Brecker's son Richard Brecker, the co-owner of the business said in a statement: "My dad was a trailblazer and a live wire and I am immensely proud of all he achieved and the legacy he leaves behind. He not only helped create a renowned and respected property business, he built a brand and laid down an infrastructure to enable us to survive all the recessions of the past 66 years. He was eccentric, enchanting, exciting, unconventional and a whirlwind of ideas and joie de vivre. Impossible, incorrigible but always inspirational. "
Brecker Grossmith is one of the oldest chartered surveyors in the West End to remain in family control. It continues to buy and sell investments for clients while handling rent collection and lease advisory work including lease renewals and rent reviews.
In recent years, it has been responsible for managing the redevelopment of Smiths' Court, a client development in Soho, which was formerly the St James’s Workhouses, and is now home to businesses including chocolatier William Curley, Bibi's Kitchen and marketing agency Brooklyn Brothers.
In 2018 Brecker Grossmith engineered an off-market opportunity and introduced a 28,000-square-foot space in the London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus for Body Worlds, the travelling human body exhibition.
Properties still under management include the Fiorucci fashion retail shop and headquarters on Brewer Street and James Smith and Sons Umbrellas on New Oxford Street.
Stanley Michael Brecker, known as Michael, was born in the Salvation Army Mothers' Hospital in Hackney, east London on 14 December 1930. His father Jack was a sought-after tailor who made costumes for films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang while his mother Connie was a corsetière and dress maker.
He went to school in Stamford Hill and on to Hendon Technical College. He also studied at the College of Estate Management where he met Grossmith and after spells at firms such as Basil Temple estate agents in Finchley, he worked as a surveyor at the Corporation of London and Granada Theatres. At Granada he was inspired by media mogul Sidney Bernstein, the group's founding chairman.
He was also a regular attendee of the Lodge of Good Intention with his brother Howard Brecker, the co-founder of property firm Robert Irving and Burns.
Brecker Grossmith's chairman Paul Tracey said: "He was successful businessman, a highly entertaining character and a true gentleman, who will be sadly missed. Rest in peace, Michael."
Former BG employee John Miles of Canadian Portland said: "I learned so much working with Michael and really enjoyed it: a rare opportunity in life. It is the end of an era."
David Goldstein, who worked for Brecker Grossmith for 13 years, said: "They were memorable times and a big part of my life." Goldstein joined Brecker Grossmith in 1959 and worked with Brecker and its sole employee at the time Tony Fine, now of the Warrant Group.
Fine said: "Sorry news. My last boss who I left 62 years ago, Always had happy memories working for Michael and Stanley."
Alan Scott, global chairman of Ian Scott International, said: "So sorry to learn of his passing. He always was such a commanding figure."
Ian Krendel of Ian Krendel Property Consultants, said: "I have many fond and everlasting memories of Michael especially his dynamic and inventive thinking which made it both educational and exciting for anybody who worked in that office – he will be sadly missed by us all.
Former Brecker Grossmith agent, Samuel May of May & Company Real Estate Advisors, said "Terribly saddened, Michael, or SMB as he was referred to in the office, was a real inspiration in my early career, a wise mentor who I learnt a lot from. Two particular things which he said to me have always stayed with me throughout my career; 1. Never make clients' minds up for them, .2. To do business all you need is a pen and a phone. Both of these teachings, and many more, have stayed with me, and I was privileged to have worked under him."
Russell Lewis of Russell Lewis Development & Investment Property Consultants, a cousin the late Stanley Grossmith, said: "I very often saw Michael in his earlier days – proper old school and an inspiration to many."
Tony Kitous, the founder of the Comptoir Libanais Lebanese restaurant group, and a tenant of Brecker at 65 Wigmore Street, said "He was an amazing man with the kindest heart and so helpful. I’m honored that I have known him."
Stuart Goldenberg of Heritage Land, said: "I worked for Michael and Stanley a long time ago and will always value the influence he had on me and the amount I learnt from him in those years."
Henry Caroll, former head of agency at Brecker Grossmith and now head of real estate at Diverse Dinin, said: " I'm sure I'm one of many former BG employees to have been truly inspired by Michael and what he achieved, and he always put a smile on my face when he came into the office. A great man who I'll always remember. "
Another former Brecker Grossmith negotiator Simon Korn said: "I am really sorry to hear the sad news. I enjoyed my time working at BG who were one of the leading and most progressive firms of their generation led by Michael Brecker."
And former BG colleague Stephen Roth of Roth Associates said: "So sorry to hear. He was a lovely man."
Brecker is survived by his three sons, Richard, Nicholas and Stephen.