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History of Tribeca Buildings
Andrew Melnick, a Tabak broker who had deep roots in Tribeca, dies at 65
Andrew Melnick, who worked as a broker at the Tabak real estate office on Reade for more than 30 years and who was also a founder of the Downtown Soccer League, coaching his own kids and dozens of others, died last week. He was 65.
Andrew’s connection to Tribeca started years back in the late ’80s, when Jeff was living in Brooklyn Heights, going to Brooklyn Law School and coming back to the neighborhood regularly. Andrew had a shop just next to the Clark Street station that sold and developed film, and Jeff would duck in there often. He had just started the business a few years before — in 1984 — and invited Andrew to try his hand at real estate sales.
“One day he asked if he could work with me and I said let’s do it on a trial basis, and 35 years later I would say it was going pretty well,” he told me when I asked how they met. “He was a very big part of my company and growing the company and expanding my client base. He sold and rented hundreds of apartments here.” There’s hardly a building in the neighborhood that he didn’t sell in at one time or another.
But what is more remarkable to me is he invested his free time into the neighborhood as well. He coached both little league baseball and soccer — his two sons are now in their 30s — and he served as the president of Downtown Soccer League for 11 years.
Jeff said that Andrew’s network here was built on both business and personal connections — and a lot of them. “He was unbelievably involved in Tribeca,” Jeff said. “People would walk in off the street just to say hello to him. He had that kind of an aura. He was a really special man.”
The business was built on those local connections, as even The New York Times figured out, featuring Andrew in a story about “indie brokers.” And his colleagues will really feel his loss there, especially given their close proximity for more than three decades. “When you sit 8 feet away from someone for 30 years and then they are gone in a second,” Jeff said, “well, it’s too much to fathom.”
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Sad loss of another good man
So sad to hear. Andrew helped me rent and buy in Tribeca over the years. He always took a moment to say hello if he saw me walking by the Tabak office on Reade. Another big loss for Tribeca.
So saddened. We were childhood friends. Our parents best friends. My mom -91 will feel sad for her friend’s son passing. So sad.
I got to know Andrew as a client. Year after year we would talk weekly, review real estate ads and chat. Super kind, warm, and a great person to work with. He taught me his matos brei recipe which to this day i cannot quite duplicate. Sending condolences to his friends and family.
The man was Quintessential New Yorker. I’ve met him few times and he was very friendly and humble at his best.
He will be missed.
My family and I are heartbroken to have heard this terribly sad news today. Andrew was a VERY special man and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. He was such a kind, sweet, friendly, caring person and I am sending his family our sincere and heartfelt condolences.
Deepest sympathy. That is such sad news. Lovely sweet man.
Always loved seeing him in the hood and having a quick hello or chat.
Heartbreaking.
My kids were lucky enough to be coached by Andrew in the early days of the DSL. He always treated them with kindness, humor and lots of patience. I know I will miss his friendly wave and warm smile when I passed by his office window.
My deepest condolences to Andrew’s family.
I am so heartbroken hearing about Andrew. I wasn’t at all ready to receive that phone call. I’ve known Andrew for 20 years, and in that time, I was lucky enough to see the true definition of a family man, hard worker, and kind soul. We shared many laughs through the years, discussed the latest delicious recipes we both mastered, told lots of family stories-as his family was the most important thing to him, and he always knew he could come into my store to satisfy his sweet tooth. My heart goes out to his Wife and Children, and I hope they can find even just a little comfort in knowing just how many lives he touched and made better with his optimistic personality and kind spirit. He was a person that was “all good”. Very special. He will be deeply missed.
We live on Reade Street. Our law office was in the neighborhood. Andrew was easy to talk to, friendly and receptive. He coached the kids in baseball and soccer. We sometimes talked about the law, families, real estate and life. I was shocked when i heard about his passing. He was just so friendly and genuine. May he Rest In Peace. Sending love and condolence to his family. Dan Alterman
A true mensch
i am so sad and at a loss for words.
terrrible loss for his family , and for all of us, his TribeCa family.
I had the opportunity to work with Andrew for 5 years at Tabak Real Estate. We had a lot of laughs together and it was really nice working with him. I was a newby and he was very generous with his knowledge. He loved to talk about food, recipes (he loved to cook) and most of all, his BOYS! He will be missed!!
I’m stunned to discover about Andrew’s death. A more likable and wonderful person I’d be hard pressed to find. Always a smile, always a pleasure to talk to and always kind. Another wonderful family man and total mench lost.
He’d come in to the Balloon Saloon hoping to find some chocolate to satiate his sweet tooth and thru the 20 years of knowing him we always had something yummy to share with him. But, nothing could be more sweet than his kind soul. We will sadly miss him, his rubber band ball, his smiles and his gentle demeanor. I’m so lucky to have known him and touched by his warm heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family who he always revered.
Debbie his wife and sons Jason and Adam.
I am stunned. Andrew was Tribeca and a great community guy, and always willing to share info and advice. My sympathies to his family and his colleagues with whom he was so much more.
Andrew was a genuinely friendly and very kind man who always made time to visit when you passed by just to say hi. I enjoyed our conversations and his easy going manner. He took care of us in various ventures over the past 20 years but was more than a “good businessman” – he was above board, ethical and his word was his bond – incredible qualities. Condolences from our familiy to his.
Andrew was such a genuinely friendly and very kind man who always made time when you stopped by to visit. I enjoyed our conversations and his easy going manner. He took care of us in various ventures over the past 20 years but was more than a “good businessman” – he was ethical and his word was his bond – incredible qualities. Condolences from our familiy to his.
I am so sorry to hear about Andrew! Andrew was such a down to earth and sincere person, plus an authentic Tribeca guy. My deepest condolences to his wife and family.