NEW: RI Realtor Melanie Delman Passes Away
Monday, September 24, 2018
Rhode Island realtor Melanie Delman, President and Owner of Lila Delman Real Estate International, has passed away.
Delman took over the helm from her mother, Lila, who founded Lila Delman Real Estate International in 1964.
“Melanie and I have always believed that working collaboratively with skilled Sales Associates garners the best results for the growing needs of our clients,” said John Hodnett of the company in a statement. “Her story will live on with the exceptional efforts of our seasoned Sales Team and Lila Delman Real Estate.”
“Melanie had been in the battle of her life for years, and battling with the utmost strength and dignity,” expressed Melanie’s sister, Pamela Delman-Hodnett. “We will honor my sister’s memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work she loved so much.”
About Delman
According to Delman's bio, she grew the company beyond Newport to locations throughout Rhode Island. Her bio states:
"Under Melanie’s leadership, the company has grown dramatically, and Lila Delman Real Estate International has expanded to six office locations: Narragansett, Newport, Jamestown, Watch Hill, Providence and Block Island.
In Newport, Melanie located and purchased a jewel of a building designed by George Champlin Mason & Sons. This restored historic brick building, located at the corner of Memorial Boulevard and Bellevue Avenue, now serves as the company’s Newport office. For this project, Lila Delman Real Estate International was awarded the first Doris Duke Award for Historic Preservation. More recently, Melanie received a Preserve Rhode Island award for the restoration of the company’s corporate office in Narragansett, which was originally a private men’s club known as The Reading Room, and a second Rhody Award for the Newport office, both of which are important Rhode Island landmarks built in the 1800s.
For the restoration of the former Earle Warehouse, c. 1784, Melanie received an unprecedented third Rhody Award, along with an accolade from the Providence Preservation Society. This building, one of the oldest in the city, now serves as the brokerage’s office in Providence. Melanie has taken a strong interest in contributing to the beauty of the state and in giving back to the community through the restoration of historic buildings.
As a respected member of the real estate community, Melanie has been featured in numerous panels and publications. She has been spotlighted as a power broker in Boston Common magazine and called upon by respected publications for comment.
Melanie, who has sold more multi-million dollar properties in the state than any other Realtor, was recognized by Christie’s International Real Estate with the selection of Lila Delman Real Estate International as the Affiliate of the Year. Among these properties are many Newport estates, some of which Melanie has sold multiple times. Lila Delman Real Estate International is the exclusive Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate in Rhode Island.
Melanie Delman has been honored with numerous awards for her achievements in real estate. Her attention to detail and her vast experience in the high-end market have earned her a reputation that is unsurpassed. She has been recognized as the #1 top-ranked broker by sales volume in Rhode Island, according to Real Trends.
Melanie, who is committed to philanthropy, founded “Lila Cares” and launched “50 Weeks of Giving,” a campaign to benefit charitable organizations."
This story was first sublished 9/23/18 9:44 AM.
