AT THE WHAT’S REBNY_0.pdf · Brown Harris Stevens Joel G. Burris Cornell University Cushman & Wakefield Mark Weiss / Rob Eisenberg Endicott Management Company BC Lewin Realty, Inc

S1 | An Advertising Supplement to Crain’s New York Business

It’s been an exciting year for the real estate community in New York City.

“As the Real Estate Board of New York celebrates its 123rd

year, we are proud to report that the real estate industry is just

as vibrant as the city itself,” REBNY President John H. Banks

said. “Generating billions in annual tax revenue that funds vital

city services, New York City’s real estate industry remains the

engine behind New York’s economy.”

Among many positive indicators, Banks points to the booming

economy and record job growth, with unemployment and

crime rates at historic lows.

“This success is attracting the country’s leading entrepreneurs

and technological innovators,” Banks said.

One major development for the city was Amazon’s decision—

announced Nov. 13—to open a headquarters in Long Island

City that will employ 25,000 people. Many hope the move will

bring development to the neighborhood’s industrial landscape.

Construction is expected to begin as soon as 2020.

In late December, Google announced plans to expand its

footprint in the city. It is looking to spend more than $1 billion

on capital improvements to establish a new 1.7 million-square-

foot campus, Google Hudson Square. New York City was

Google’s first office outside of California when it came to the

city nearly two decades ago, and it now houses more than

7,000 employees.

“New York City continues to be a great source of diverse,

world-class talent—that’s what brought Google to the city

in 2000, and that’s what keeps us here,” said Ruth Porat,

Google senior vice president and chief financial officer,

in announcing the decision.

Still, the year also came with challenges. For example,

New York City home prices and home sales have dropped

in the past year, as have Manhattan retail rents in many

neighborhoods (although Brooklyn retail rents increased

in many neighborhoods). The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of

2017, which limits the deductibility of state and local taxes,

contributed to a decline in residential demand in high-tax

states, such as New York and New Jersey.

One thing New York City’s world-class real estate community

brings, however, is the resilience to take on these kinds of

challenges. In the pages that follow, you will meet some of

the movers and shakers who are shaping the city’s skyline,

neighborhoods, quality of life and civic institutions.

This year’s honorees are a who’s who of leading players on the

city’s real estate scene and, in some cases, families that have

shaped the city’s history for generations.

The award winners who will be honored at REBNY’s 123rd

annual banquet include Alex Bernstein, executive vice

president/new business at Bernstein Real Estate Group;

Helena Rose Durst, a principal at The Durst Organization;

Carol Kellermann, former president of the Citizens Budget

Commission; Ira Z. Fishman, a partner at HSP Real Estate

Group; Daniel R. Tishman, principal and vice chairman of

Tishman; Diane M. Ramirez, chairman and CEO of Halstead

Real Estate; and Bernard Warren, chairman and president of

Webb & Brooker. Read on for a glimpse of how they are making

their mark on New York City and helping to shape its path to

the future.

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AT THE CENTER OF

WHAT’S NEXT

New York City’s luminaries at annual banquet

recognizes


Year after year this is one of our favorite special sections at Crain’s: It features the honorees at the Real Estate

Board of New York’s annual banquet.

The real estate professionals chosen for these awards have shaped the city where we live and work in countless ways,

but their contributions are often imperceptible. The stories you will read here will give you a glimpse of the important

work they do as they run the city’s commercial real estate business.

As someone who has grown up in New York City, gone to college here, and lives here with my husband and two

children, I count myself lucky to have the opportunity to go about my daily life amid the city’s spectacular architecture.

It’s easy to take it for granted as we rush to work, but when I notice the tourists who come here, cameras in hand, to

capture the sights, I’m reminded of this city’s greatness and how fortunate we are to live in it.

We are delighted to partner with REBNY to shine a spotlight on the industry and the movers and shakers within it as

they continue to find ways to enhance life in the five boroughs. In the pages to come, you’ll meet the luminaries who

will receive public recognition Jan. 17 at REBNY’s 123rd annual banquet.

We extend an enthusiastic round of applause for their outstanding achievements.

Irene Bar-Am

Advertising Director

Crain’s New York Business

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Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................... S1

Opening letter ........................................... S3

REBNY President’s 2018 overview .......... S9

Alex Bernstein ..........................................S13

Helena Rose Durst ...................................S15

Ira Z. Fishman ..........................................S19

Carol Kellermann .....................................S21

Diane M. Ramirez .................................... S23

Daniel R. Tishman ................................... S25

Bernard Warren ....................................... S27

Cushman & Wakefield ............................... S2

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner .................... S3

SL Green Realty Corp. ...............................S4

Newmark Knight Frank .............................S6

The Feil Organization ................................. S7

George Comfort & Sons, Inc. ...................S8

CIT . .......................................................... S10

Kasirer ....................................................... S11

Kamber Management Co. ....................... S12

650 Fifth ................................................... S14

The Durst Organization ........................... S16

Handler Real Estate Organization ...........S17

Paramount Building ................................ S18

Jack Resnick & Sons ...............................S20

Rockefeller Group ....................................S22

Halstead ...................................................S24

The Carlton Group ..................................S26

Ogden Cap Properties ............................S28

Advertiser Index

From left to right: Alex Bernstein, Helena Durst, Daniel R. Tishman, Bill Rudin, Diane M. Ramirez,

John Banks, Bernard Warren, Carol Kellermann and Ira Z. Fishman.

Photo Credit: David Chen Photo


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Appomattox Advisory, LLCCBREChris Corrinet / Robert Hill / Hilary Whittier

JCJ Business CorpKaufman Leasing Company, LLCJared Steinberg

Maynard Cooper & Gale, P.C.Cushman & WakefieldJim Federick / Gordan Hough

MidCap Financial Services, LLCCresa New YorkPeter Sabesan / Dan Taormina

R2 Net, Inc.Savills StudleyWilliam Montana

Sol de Janeiro USA, Inc.Habendum, LLCMike Anton

The Bahamas Ministry of TourismBynam Wood, LLCNick Gilman

200 WEST 57TH STREETDr. Appolon, DDSVicus PartnersRene Hamilton

Dr. Tammy Chen, PLLCSherry Patterson RealtySherry Patterson

The Center for Anxiety, LLCMHP Real Estate ServicesJesse Rubins / Jessica Trizano

Yoonchan P. Han, DDS, PCViza GroupMaz Vizgalin

488 MADISON AVENUEAecom CapitalCBRE / Adam FosterCushman & Wakefield / Stephen Brey

Eaton Electric CompanyCBRERocco Laginestra / Jordan Donahue

Franklin Weinrib Rudell & Vassallo P.C. Colliers InternationalJonathan Zuckerman

City HatsSCG RetailAmanda Keller / Grant Holtan

IndochinoThe Dartmouth Company / Fritz KemerlingBialow Realty / Corey Bialow

Jack ErwinRKFCaleb Peterson

Mephisto ShoesCBRE Retail Services GroupAmira Yunis / Tienn Wine / Anthony Stanford

570 LEXINGTON AVENUEAsset TVCushman & WakefieldEvan Algier

Carrera Willowbridge Brown Harris StevensJoel G. Burris

Cornell UniversityCushman & WakefieldMark Weiss / Rob Eisenberg

Endicott Management CompanyBC Lewin Realty, Inc.Barry Lewin

Hudson Executive Capital Optimal SpacesStephen Sunderland

Hudson Realty Capital LLCHandler Real Estate OrganizationDarell M. Handler

PetrobasCushman & WakefieldJonathan Schindler / Aron Schrier

Seiden & Schein P.C.Newmark Knight FrankMichael Morris

Standard Companies & Alcova CapitalJLLRandy Abend / Hayley Schoener

261 FIFTH AVENUEAdvance Denim LimitedCBREAdam Leshowitz

Dan Klores Communications, Inc.Newmark Knight FrankGregory Wang

Distribio BiologiqueCushman & WakefieldBarry Zeller

MIQCushman & WakefieldFrank Coco / Owen Hane

RG 29th Street I, LLCNewmark Knight Frank Ben Birnbaum / Justin Pollner

The Brandman AgencyColliers International Robert Gallucci

7 PENN PLAZACarousel IndustriesCBREThomas Haughton

OpentextCBREGerry Miovski / Masha Dudelzak

Protax Consulting ServicesHudson Real Estate PartnersJack M. Senior

250 PARK AVENUE SOUTHDigital Currency GroupSavills StudleyMichael Mathias

257 PARK AVENUE SOUTHBulletproofColliers InternationalMichael Thomas / Aidan Campbell

Blue Bottle CoffeeNewmark Knight FrankMarc D. Frankel

841 BROADWAYErnst & YoungCushman & WakefieldSam Clark

853 BROADWAY25 MadisonNewmark Knight FrankBen Shapiro / John Cilmi

145 WEST 30TH STREETFrost Lighting, Inc.JLLPaul Formichelli

2001 MARCUS AVENUELake Success

Acrisure, LLC Colliers, InternationalGus Nuzzolese, Esq.

Harley Fastman, Esq.Real Estate Strategies, LTDWayne Steinberg

Horowitz Bellantone & Silver, PCNavigator ConsultingMike DiDonato

GARDEN CITY CENTER100 Quentin Roosevelt BoulevardGarden City

Bankai GroupCBRERoy Chipkin

Chopra & Nocerino JLLJoseph Lopresti

SUNRISE BUSINESS CENTER3500 Sunrise HighwayGreat River

Vitamin WorldCushman & WakefieldPhil D’Avanzo

Fellow Health Partners Coldwell Banker CommercialEdward Pidgeon

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One thing was certain in 2018: Little stayed

the same in New York City’s real estate

markets.

From federal tax reform to local debate over rent

regulation, the Real Estate Board of New York had

a full plate of issues.

Other pressing issues facing the city’s real estate

community included declining retail rents in Man-

hattan; Amazon’s decision to open a headquarters

in the city; the rising value of investment sales; the

growth of REBNY’s Residential Listing Service, an

online property listing service; and the growth of

real estate technology.

Read on for a rundown on these key issues, with

insights from REBNY President John H. Banks.

Changes in the retail market

REBNY’s recent research shows that retail rents have

been declining in Manhattan’s top retail districts.

As of late November, REBNY found that among the

17 corridors it studies, 15 saw rental prices drop-

ping from 2015 levels. There is, however, a bright

spot in the city—Brooklyn—where retail rents rose

in many areas.

In response to the retail market, the City Coun-

cil introduced a bill last year that would enforce

commercial rent control. This legislation, Banks

said, was a result of a misconception that an

increase in vacant storefronts stemmed from

rent increases and landlords’ unwillingness to

negotiate with tenants.

REBNY fought the bill, organizing more than

100 commercial brokers and property owners

to testify at City Council hearings against the

legislation. The bill ultimately did not pass; both

Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Bar

Association found the council lacked the legal

authority to adopt the legislation.

Rising investment sales values

REBNY found that investment sales values—that

is, the values of income producing commercial

real estate—rose in the first half of the year.

Following two consecutive years of decline, the

monetary value for New York City’s 2,200 invest-

ment sales transactions jumped 20% year-over-

year to $21.6 billion in the first half.

“REBNY’s outlook for investment sales and the entire

city’s future is an optimistic one,” Banks said. “New

York will continue to maintain its standing as the

greatest city in the world and a solid investment.”

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Many in the city’s real estate community have

been concerned about the impact of the Tax

Cuts and Jobs Act.

The federal legislation caps state and local

tax deductibility at $10,000 per year. In New

York, New Jersey and California, where the

average SALT [state and local tax] deduction is

$20,000, many are worried the law will cause

residents to leave for other, lower-tax states.

REBNY worked closely with its partners at the

Real Estate Roundtable in Washington, D.C.,

and other real estate constituency stakehold-

ers to interpret and educate REBNY members

about federal tax changes, Banks said.

“Along with major education, public safety and

Realtor organizations, REBNY expressed deep

concern about the adverse economic impacts

that the elimination of SALT would have on

constituents and municipal services, especial-

ly education, public safety and infrastructure

across the country,” Banks said.

The cap on SALT was not the only aspect of federal

tax reform that concerned the real estate com-

munity. Last year the Internal Revenue Service

published proposed rules that clarify whether bro-

kers are eligible for a 20% pass-through deduction

included in the new federal tax law, REBNY said.

The law barred those who provide “brokerage ser-

vices” from receiving the tax cut, but the definition

of “brokerage” was unclear, REBNY found.

“The new IRS proposed rules state that the

services provided by ‘real estate agents and

brokers, or insurance agents and brokers’ are

not excluded,” Banks said. “However, the rules

around the deduction are complicated, and

brokers should consult tax advisers.”

The supply of rent-regulated apartments

One continuing area of concern in the real

estate community was whether there was a

sufficient supply of rent-regulated apartments

in the city. Some asked how the city’s land-

lords could collect adequate rents to maintain

buildings while still serving New Yorkers with

moderate incomes.

This year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state leg-

islators are expected to revamp the city’s rent

stabilization system. REBNY plans to put forth

an argument that encourages investment in the

city’s housing stock and creation of affordable

housing, Banks said.

“REBNY is taking a proactive, multipronged

approach to organize a broad-based coalition

around this issue, and we will continue to work

with the Rent Stabilization Association to co-

ordinate our efforts during the next legislative

session,” he added.

Amazon’s headquarters

Amazon’s announcement to open a second

headquarters in Long Island City was big news,

given the nationwide competition to attract the

giant e-commerce retailer.

Banks noted the move is expected to create

tens of thousands of good jobs. It “validates

New York City as a global center for tech inno-

vation,” the trade association’s president said.

Amazon’s selection of a borough outside of

Manhattan, Banks said, marks a major mile-

stone in the long-term city and state economic

development strategy to diversify the economy

throughout the five boroughs.

“REBNY is a strong supporter of the project

and all that it means for our future,” he said.

“Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio

deserve credit for their leadership in securing

this significant achievement.”

The growth of REBNY’s Residential Listing

Service

Last year REBNY’s Residential Listing Service

marked the first anniversary of its syndication

service. The RLS is a property listing service

that enables brokers to send real estate listings

to a network of public real estate listing web-

sites through a centralized, single feed.

“The launch of RLS Syndication has empow-

ered REBNY brokers and salespersons to send

residential listings via the RLS to a growing

network of local, national and international con-

sumer websites, and has ensured the accuracy

of listings by centralizing listing data through a

single feed,” Banks said. “The success of this

effort is demonstrated by the participation of

600 residential brokerage firms, and 98% of

them have adopted Syndication.”

The RLS also developed and launched a new com-

pliance tool that Banks called a “critical milestone

in our commitment to clean and accurate residen-

tial listings data.”

A year of rapid changePresident’s take on 2018

John H. Banks

President, REBNY

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For Alex Bernstein, executive vice

president/new business at Bernstein Real

Estate Group, the future of real estate is

all about environmental sustainability.

Bernstein’s firm is building a 65,000-square-

foot “passive house”—a highly energy-

efficient, climate-conscious building—at 211 W.

29th St. that he hopes will be a model for other

projects.

“For us, becoming experts and being a leader

and innovator in passive house development is

something we’re very proud of,” he said.

This year, Bernstein is REBNY’s Young Real

Estate Professional of the Year. He’s been

an active member in the Young Men’s/

Women’s Real Estate Association of New

York, which chooses the award. The award

goes to a REBNY member who personifies

strong integrity, professionalism and

personal ethics.

While he focuses on passive houses, Bernstein

enjoys the challenge of rethinking residential

space in fresh ways.

“We want to raise the water level for everyone

in our community by providing messaging in

our lobby elevators, providing smart electric

or water meters, energy transparency, great

amenity space,” he said. “In order to really

change the perspective of real estate as a

commodity in New York, you have to think

outside the box.”

Bernstein, who lives near Union Square with

his wife and three children, works with his

father, Asher Bernstein, 75, the chairman of

the board at the family business. Although

his father has been transitioning out of the

business, “he still comes in most days,”

Bernestein said.

Crain’s: What accomplishment were you

most proud of in 2018?

I’d have to say the passive house on West 29th

Street. It will be, for a few minutes, the tallest

residential passive house in Manhattan. We

went in ground last year. It should be coming

to market in mid-2019.

Crain’s: What was the most important

development at your firm in 2018?

I think that the passive house is pretty

significant. Because we’re long-term owners

of real estate, we have a commitment to north

Chelsea, where our family has been doing

business for four generations and we have

about 80% of our holdings. As long-term

holders, we want to do something that’s right

for north Chelsea, the city and the globe, so we

feel we’re ahead of the curve on this. It’s the

right thing to do.

Crain’s: Where will you focus your business

strategy in 2019?

A couple of things stand out. One is trying

to replicate the passive house in the new

Opportunity Zones. What I’d like to do is be

able to find some sites, raise some money,

raise some equity and replicate passive house

development in the boroughs. That’s one

aspect we’ll be focusing on.

Second, we are under contract on a $120

million mixed-use Class B office building in

Chelsea. We are purchasing that and starting

the transition to upgrade it and to use our

secret sauce to do what we do best—leasing

and management. We’ll be focusing on that as

well.

Crain’s: What impact do you expect from

Amazon’s opening in Long Island City?

It’s positive for New York and making New

York less Manhattan-centric. At the same

time, it’s going to put a lot of strain on the

infrastructure. It’s also an opportunity to grow

that infrastructure.

Crain’s: New York City’s infrastructure is

ripe for improvement. What’s No. 1 on your

wish list?

There needs to be a change and upgrade in

the zoning of—I don’t want to say the whole

city—but many areas. The majority of the

office buildings in Manhattan are old. They are

prewar. They might be 60, 80, 100 years old.

Their energy usage and systems are inefficient.

Their locations are overbuilt. There needs to be

a change in the zoning and height restrictions

so it becomes easier and more cost-effective

for landlords to upgrade Class B buildings.

Crain’s: What effects are you seeing from

the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017?

It does affect some of the ownership

investment entities we tend to deal with. The

Opportunity Zones are an offshoot of the Tax

Cuts and Jobs Act. That’s something we’ll be

focusing on. We hope to do a few deals in the

Opportunity Zones in 2019.

Crain’s: What qualities are most important

to success for someone entering your field

today?

What I told a group of students at Columbia

Business School last year was anybody

can run numbers and anybody can figure

out the valuation of a building or can do

the quantitative analysis. What I think is

lacking is the creative, the marketing, how to

differentiate yourself.

You must be able to take a risk and do

something your neighbor is not doing. We

try to do that on the Bernstein side. We try

to open doors, create opportunities with our

tenants. We try not to just perpetuate the

concept of real estate as a commodity. We try

to engage people in the building.

Crain’s: What is your favorite spot in the

city to dine out with friends and family?

I have two answers. My current favorite

is ABCV. I have been vegan for the last

seven months. ABCV is one of my favorite

restaurants.

I opened a restaurant about four years ago

downstairs in one of our buildings as an

amenity to our tenants—Till & Sprocket. It’s

not a very famous restaurant, but it’s our

restaurant. We hold our Thanksgiving there.

The restaurant closes for the holidays. It’s

kind of an extension of our living room. It has

a lounge. We can put on the football game. We

get to drink and not drive and take home the

leftovers and watch the game.

Crain’s: When you’re not working, what’s

your favorite way to relax?

I am a New York Times crossword junkie. I

like to do the crossword every day, and I like

to have a tequila or a rye with that. I meditate

every day, maybe 20 minutes every morning.

We have been doing that for over 10 years.

I like riding a bike. I try to be outside as

much as possible. I’m very committed to the

organization that is presenting the award,

the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate

Association of New York, as well.

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Don’t know what a passive house is? Alex Bernstein wants to change that.

Alex Bernstein,

The Young Real Estate Professional of the Year Award

Honoree Q&A


To say Helena Rose Durst keeps a

busy schedule of civic and charitable

commitments is something of an

understatement.

As this year’s honoree for the Kenneth R. Gerrety

Humanitarian Award from the Real Estate Board

of New York, Durst juggles being a principal of the

Durst Organization—one of the oldest family-run

real estate companies in New York City—with

leadership roles in some of the most visible

organizations shaping the future of the region.

Durst, past president of New York Water

Taxi/Circle Line Downtown, is credited with

transforming it into a profitable mass transit,

tour-and-travel operation that serves more than

1.5 million passengers a year. As the leader of the

organization, she won an increased minimum

wage for her 200 employees, bringing the figure

to $15 an hour—before New York pursued a

similar initiative.

She has been a leader in solid-waste

management. The Durst Organization was a

pioneer among large-scale landlords in collecting

organic material from residents, with almost

all Durst buildings collecting compostable

materials. Meanwhile, Durst has been a member

of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board,

a volunteer organization focused on advancing

New York’s zero-waste goals. She chairs the

Lower East Side Ecology Center, which is focused

on building a more sustainable future.

Beyond these involvements, Durst is a member

of REBNY’s board of governors, an advisory

member to the Lincoln Center Real Estate

Advisory Board and a member of the New York

Restoration Project.

“I know from my own experiences working

with Helena that she enriches each of these

organizations that are fortunate enough to be

associated with her,” REBNY President John H.

Banks said in a statement.

While managing responsibilities in her family’s

firm, Durst has made giving back a priority. She

has overseen the development of nearly 2,500

units of rental housing projects. Among her

projects have been Via 57 West, the residential

superblock on the Hudson River; Helena 57

West, a 38-story tower on West 57th Street that

was the first voluntary LEED-Gold residential

building in New York City; Frank 57 West, a

10-story, mixed-use residential, office and retail

building on West 58th Street; and EOS, a 47-story

residential tower on West 31st Street.

“As the line between life and work blurs, we

are building more and more amenities into our

office buildings and providing more and more

workspaces for our residents in our rental

buildings,” Durst said.

Crain’s: What accomplishment were you most

proud of in 2018?

2018 was the year we simultaneously walked

and chewed gum in the residential division of

the Durst Organization. We kept our vacancy

rate in our 2,000 stabilized units below 5% while

simultaneously planning and building the more

than 3,000 units we have under construction

at Halletts Point in Astoria at the Sven in Long

Island City.



In 2018 we decided the market was ready for

us to begin construction on Sven, our 963-unit

residential rental tower on Queens Plaza in Long

Island City. The building will be one of the tallest

and largest in Queens and our first project in

Long Island City.


strategy in 2019?

My focus for 2019 is the lease-up and opening of

10 Halletts Point. My family has always built on

New York’s “frontiers,” and the Halletts Peninsula

is no different. The building has views in all four

directions, is steps away from the East River

Ferry Service, Astoria Park and the Halletts

Cove community, and minutes from the bustling

center of Astoria. We love the opportunity to help

build a new identity and neighborhood on the

Queens waterfront.



Not much in the short term, but New York City

needs to develop commercial centers outside

Manhattan to relieve stress on our most fragile

infrastructure. We love the idea of the waterfront

as a mixed residential-and-commercial

neighborhood where people can commute by

ferry, streetcar and bike.

Crain’s: It’s no secret that New York City’s

infrastructure is ripe for improvement.

What’s No. 1 on your wish list?

I love the prospect of these new forms of

transportation, but we are kidding ourselves if

we think that fixing the subways isn’t Priority

One and essential for the survival of our city.

Crain’s: Change is sweeping retail and other

commercial real estate sectors. What are

the most interesting developments you’re

seeing?

The merging of the residential and commercial

markets. Our offices look more like our

residential buildings, and our apartment

buildings look more like our commercial

projects.


the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017? Is it

affecting your firm or your clients much?

The office leasing market is pretty robust;

however, the elimination of the SALT [state and

local tax] deductibility and the increase in the

federal debt is not good for New York City.



today?

Flexibility is vital. The market is dynamic,

technology forces changes, and we all need to

be able to adapt to this shifting environment.

Crain’s: What is your favorite New York City

real estate icon?

Seymour Durst and his Old York Library.

The commercial and residential real estate

developer collected, published and archived

materials on New York and its history.

He passed away in 1995, and today the

collection lives at Columbia University’s Avery

Architectural and Fine Arts Library.

Crain’s: What is your favorite spot in the city

to dine out with friends and family?

A picnic in Hudson River Park hits the spot.



I’m busier than I used to be, but I learned from

Bette Midler a love of taking a long walk and

picking up trash in public parks. I know it’s a

little loony, but I find it simultaneously relaxing

and rewarding. I get to accomplish a public good

and create interesting stories of how the trash

got there and what it was used for. Alas, my two

little boys make that harder to do these days, so

I usually just chase them around.

Douglas Durst

Jonathan Durst

ADVISORS REAL ESTATE

James Cleary

Je� rey Rosenblatt

CBRE

Scott Bogetti

Cara Chayet

Stuart Eisenkraft

Ramsey Feher

Benjamin Friedland

Annette Healey

Brendan Herlihy

David Hollander

Gary Kamenetsky

David Kleinhandler

Joseph Mangiacotti

Lewis Miller

Robert Myers

Michael Poch

Zachary Price

Jesse de la Rama

Kenn Rapp

Clyde Reetz

Scott Sloves

Andrew Sussman

Mike Wellen

Sacha Zarba

COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL

Jedd Horn

Michael Joseph

Mike Stone

David Tricarico

CRESA

Jane Roundell

Barry Spagna

Bob Stella

CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD, INC.

Stephen Bellwood

Peter Berti

Conor Daugstrup

Lou DeVanzo

Gordon Hough

Jamie Katcher

David Mainthow

Douglas Regal

David Rosenbloom

Justin Royce

Aron Schier

Jonathan Schindler

Tara Stacom

Robert Tanzmann

Peter Trivelas

Brian Weld

Barry Zeller

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Je� Lerch

HUDSON REAL ESTATE PARTNERS

Alexander Schwartz

JONES LANG LASALLE

Bob Agelo�

Christian Allen

Kirill Azovtsev

David Dusek

Paul Ferraro

Paul Formichelli

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Deborah van der Heyden

Simon Landmann

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Bill Peters

Jason Schwartzenberg

Patrick Smith

Derek Trulson

James Wenk

Corey Zolcinski

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Albert Manopla

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Noel Flagg

Ryan Gessin

Stephen Gordon

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THANK YOUWe are grateful to the

New York brokerage

community for your

support in helping us

lease over 1,100,000 SF

in 2018.

Shaping the future of New York City by giving back

Helena Rose

Durst, The Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award

Honoree Q&A

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When Ira Fishman entered the real

estate business at Newmark & Co.

after graduating from college, the

manager who was training him warned him,

“Ira, I’m telling you right now. If you don’t

have a thick skin and strong stomach, get

out of the business.”

“I went home and thought about it,” Fishman

recalled. “I said, ‘I can do it.’”

That was more than 40 years ago, and Fish-

man’s decision proved correct.

Fishman, now a partner at HSP Real Estate

Group, is the recipient of the Louis Smad-

beck Memorial Broker Recognition Award

from the Real Estate Board of New York. The

award celebrates a broker with exceptional

personal and professional integrity, leader-

ship, prominence in the brokerage communi-

ty and service to REBNY’s committees.

Fishman spent the early years of his career

at Newmark & Co., rising to become partner

during his 26 years there and acting as leas-

ing and managing agent for nine commercial

buildings with more than 3,500,000 square

feet of rentable space. He then spent 10

years at Winoker Realty Co.—later known as

EVO Real Estate Group. Before joining HSP,

Fishman was CEO of EVO Real Estate Group.

EVO Real Estate Group and Herald Square

Properties, which owns buildings at 251 W.

30th St., 234 W. 39th St. and 1372 Broadway,

announced plans to merge in late 2017.

At HSP, Fishman is pursuing investment

opportunities with various partners; his

portfolio includes about 20 commercial and

multifamily properties in New York City.

He’s never lost his excitement for the busi-

ness. “The dealmaking!” he said. “In the

morning you have a deal; by the afternoon

it’s gone. Then it’s back the next morning.

That’s just the nature of the business. It’s

hard. A lot of people can’t handle it. It’s like

walking on the edge of a cliff.”



2018 was a very quiet business year. We

merged EVO Real Estate Group and Herald

Square Properties but closed in October

2017. 2018 was our first successful year

together.



A lot of things happened. In the last month,

we had some new hires. We hired Steve

Pressler, previously a principal of Advisors

Commercial Real Estate, as executive vice

president of the asset management division.

He brought with him a portfolio of buildings.

We also hired Jeffrey Zund, previously

executive managing director at Coldwell

Banker Commercial Advisors, as executive

director/leasing.

Crain’s: Where will you focus your busi-

ness strategy in 2019?

In 2019 we’ll focus on looking for new

investment opportunities. We’re looking for

value-added opportunities in Manhattan and

maybe Brooklyn—buildings that need work

and improvements.



It’ll bring a lot of jobs. It’ll help the housing

market and help the retail rental market and

office market. The multiplier effect could be

50,000 jobs. It’s a very good thing.

Crain’s: New York City’s infrastructure

is ripe for improvement. What’s No. 1 on

your wish list?

The first thing I think of is the subways. Even

though they have extended the 7 line, it

needs to be expanded.

I think of Hudson Square. Google is hope-

fully one of many new tenants to come into

the area. They need more capacity there.

I’m talking about the total amount of square

footage, both commercial and residential,

that is planned to be built. I don’t know what

the MTA’s plans are. It’s something they have

to address sooner or later.

Crain’s: Change is sweeping retail and oth-

er commercial real estate sectors. What

are the most interesting developments

you’re seeing?

Everyone is talking about coworking tenants.

People talk about everything that can go

wrong with renting to coworking spaces, but

they continue to do it.

In retail, certain areas have been hurt with

the internet. Food hasn’t been hurt.



I haven’t heard people complain about it.

No one has filed their taxes yet. I think when

people start filing their taxes and see how it’s

affected them, you’ll get feedback.

Crain’s: What qualities are most import-

ant to success for someone entering your

field today?

It’s an emotional roller coaster at times.

You have to have a level head. You can’t get

too excited and too down. You have to try to

keep on an even keel.

Crain’s: What is your favorite New York

City real estate icon?

200 Varick St. That’s a deal I stumbled

across, and it’s probably one of the best

deals I ever did. It was a printing building.

I was showing the space to an engineering

firm. They were looking for 100,000 square

feet. When we were done with the tour, the

tenant said to me in the lobby, “If it wasn’t

for that noise I’d sign the lease here in the

lobby.”

I went back to the office and saw a phone

call from the owner. He said, “I’m making the

noise and closing the business. I’d like to sell

the business.” I said, “I’ll buy it.”

I bought with my uncle Aaron Gural. I said,

“Aaron, I have a deal for us.” The last thing on

my mind was buying the building.



There’s one I like: Toledo. It’s on 36th between

Fifth and Madison. It’s quiet. Near the office I

like to go to Arno—it’s got great food.



I like to play golf in nice weather. In the

winter I try to go skiing as much as possible.

I like sports. I like to watch sports and play

with my grandkids.

Behind Every

Successful

Building Owner

is a Host of

Incredibly Talented

Brokers and

Steadfast Tenants.

Jack Resnick & Sons thanks

the following Firms and the

Brokers who represented them,

as well as our existing Tenants

that renewed their commitment

to New York City in 2018.

212.421.1300 | resnick.nyc

Google315 Hudson Street

Represented by: Ken Rapp, David Hollander, Doug Lehman

& Brendan Herlihy, CBRE

The City University of New York255 Greenwich Street

Represented by: Stephen Siegel, David Hollander

& Richard Levine, CBRE

WeWork880 Third Avenue Represented by: Ken Ruderman & Andrew Zang,

Savills Studley

NYC Health & Hospitals 199 Water Street Represented by: Brian Waterman & Ira Rovitz,

Newmark Knight Frank

RP Management110 East 59th Street

Mekanism250 Hudson Street Represented by: David Rosenbloom,

Cushman & Wakefield

Stark Business Solutions110 East 59th Street

Knotel250 Hudson Street Represented by: Michael Morris & Gregory DiGioia,


SD Daniels & Co.485 Madison Avenue

Represented by: Robert Emden,


Stevens & Lee485 Madison Avenue Represented by: Jane Roundell & Jeff Baker,

Cresa New York

Marco Manfedi

485 Madison Avenue Represented by: Marc Leber, Newmark Knight Frank

Allied Sales205 West 57th Street

Pace University161 William Street Represented by: David Falk & Kyle Ciminelli, Newmark Knight Frank

John Lang485 Madison Avenue Represented by: Chris O’Callaghan, JLL & Reid Longley, Colliers International

Wells Fargo Bank1755 Broadway

Palm New York Downtown200 Chambers Street

Beech Hill Securities 880 Third Avenue Represented by: Lisa Kiell, JLL

Thirteenth Floor Group880 Third Avenue Represented by: Robin Fisher, Newmark Knight Frank

WeWork8 West 40th Street

Gracie Mews Restaurant 401 East 80th Street

Livingston Builders 485 Madison Avenue

Pret A Manger 880 Third Avenue Represented by: Ariel Schuster & Jackie Totolo, RKF

Fady Salha, DMD 133 East 58th Street

All Skin Lab 133 East 58th Street

Anna Concepcion, DMD 133 East 58th Street

Moda Operandi315 Hudson Street Represented by: Owen Hane & Frank Coco, JLL

Bar Culaccino 1755 Broadway

Aesthetique 2000 133 East 58th Street

White Pine Trading 485 Madison Avenue Represented by: Jason Stein & Lee Block, Winick Realty Group

RES-1342 Resnick - 2019 REBNY Thank You Ads_Crains_10.875x14.5_V4.indd 1 1/7/19 3:48 PM

The secret to a successful broker’s career: thriving on adrenaline

Ira Z. Fishman,

The Louis Smadbeck Memorial Broker Recognition Award

Honoree Q&A


With appreciation to REBNY on the occasion of its 123rd Annual Banquet,

we thank the following brokerage professionals for their contributions to our leasing

success at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 1221 Avenue of the Americas and throughout our

entire New York City portfolio in 2018.

ANDREW SUSSMAN

CBRE

KEN RAPP

CBRE

KENNETH SIEGEL

JLL

DAVID KLEINHANDLER

CBRE

EVAN HASKELL

CBRE

PIERCE HANCE

Cushman & Wakefield

LISA KIELL

JLL

MICHAEL GOLDMAN

Savills Studley

PEYTON HORN

Cushman & Wakefield

ROBERT FLIPPIN

CBRE

SCOTT GAMBER

CBRE

CRAIG REICHER

CBRE

MARY ANN TIGHE

CBRE

MARIA TRAVLOS

Cushman & Wakefield

RockefellerGroup.com © 2019 Rockefeller Group International, Inc. All rights reserved.

ZACHARY WEIL

CBRE

KENNY YIP

Colliers

DAVE CAPERNA

CBRE

JOHN CEFALY

Cushman & Wakefield

PAIGE ENGELDRUM

Cushman & Wakefield

HOWARD FIDDLE

CBRE

LAUREN CROWLEY CORRINET

CBRE

THOMAS DOUGHTY

JLL

TIMOTHY DEMPSEY

CBRE

WILLIAM FANG

Block & Lot Realty

SUNNY YU

PD Properties

DAN ORGAN

Cushman & Wakefield

JOHN MAHER

CBRE

ROBERT LOWE

Cushman & Wakefield

SARAH PONTIUS

CBRE

YIN LI

Savills Studley

JONATHAN PLOTKIN

Colliers

MICHAEL PUORRO

Hanover Bank

JOHN PAN

Top Real Estate & Management

MidtownMeansBusiness.W

hen an issue affecting New York City’s

finances is on the table, chances are

Carol Kellermann has insight to share.

Kellermann is being honored with the John E.

Zuccotti Public Service Award as she leaves

her role as president of the Citizens Budget

Commission, a civic organization that provides

detailed recommendations on city and state

finances.

Under Kellermann’s leadership, the CBC has an-

alyzed property taxes, the city’s long-term debt

and issues involving the New York City Housing

Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation

Authority.

“The award really goes to the staff I worked with

and the board,” Kellermann said. “That’s true of

all the great places I’ve been privileged to work.

I’m very grateful for all of them.”

Before leading the CBC, Kellermann was interim

executive director of the Alliance for Young Art-

ists and Writers and interim CEO of Pencil Inc.,

which fosters collaboration between business

and public schools. As a consultant, she initiat-

ed a pilot program to increase graduation rates

at the City University of New York’s six commu-

nity colleges. She was CEO of the September

11th Fund, which provided grants and assistance

to the victims of the 2001 attacks.

“Carol has dedicated her long and distinguished

career to ensuring that New York City remains

among the world’s most vibrant urban centers,”

John Banks, president of the Real Estate Board

of New York, said in a statement.



The series of reports that we did on the Housing

Authority and its serious capital needs and our

recommendations about what to do are what

I’m most proud of. All of our recommendations

have been totally adopted by the city. All of the

recommendations—about selling air rights,

building new housing on undeveloped land, how

to generate revenue for repairs and improve-

ments in the units while at the same time creat-

ing more units generally for the public through

the use of private development—are things that

have not been taken seriously by this adminis-

tration until recently.

The best thing for an organization like ours is

when your proposals are adopted by a rel-

evant government agency. The other thing

they’ve done is adopt the fare proposal to

provide half-price MetroCards to low-income

New Yorkers. We were part of a coalition to

advocate for this.

Crain’s: What was the most important devel-

opment for you in 2018?

The development would be the announcement

of my departure and selection of a new

president.

Crain’s: What is next?

I don’t know. Hopefully, a portfolio of things.

Some traveling. Some writing. Maybe some

teaching. I’d like to take a break for a little while.

I will stay on here as a consultant for a couple of

months to complete the work that’s necessary

for our annual dinner on Feb. 28. I doubt now

that I’ll ever cease being connected with CBC.

I’ll always be helpful and consider myself

a trustee, but I’ll stop being a staff person

probably by the end of February.


strategy in 2019?

That will be for the next president and his

executive committee and staff to determine.



You can quarrel about the nature and extent

of the tax incentives, but it can’t help but be a

very good thing for not just Long Island City but

the city and state to house 25,000 good jobs

coming in. The multiplier effect it will have on

employment in other businesses is definitely a

good thing. The city needs to be building up its

strength in the tech sector, which Amazon can

be considered to be part of.



wish list?

Long before other people and other groups

recognized its importance, CBC has been

beating the drum for improvements in the

basic infrastructure for the MTA. If you go back

probably a decade, we’ve been writing about the

need for computer-based train control. We use

ancient signals.



We are very concerned about it. We formed a

special committee to review the governor’s

proposals about how the state should react. We

endorsed his proposals, which were adopted

by the Legislature. It’s too soon to tell what the

impact is going to be. It will be baked into the

real estate market over time in terms of city and

state revenue.

I do think there will be people who leave be-

cause the tax benefits of going to another state

that doesn’t have any income tax will be so

dramatic. It won’t happen overnight. We’ll see a

slow impact on the personal income tax at the

city and state level. It will take five years before

you really can assess. We are very reliant in New

York on a very small number of high earners.

You can diss millionaires all you want, but we

want to keep them here.



today?

Most of all they need passion for the city and

state. I think you need to be independent

and willing to say things that are unpopular

and maybe even make your friends annoyed

or angry once in a while. You’re trying to

speak inconvenient truths to get people to

acknowledge the facts. You have to be willing to

deal with a little unhappiness and tension with

people in service of the greater good.


real estate icon?

I would say the iconic apartment buildings

on Central Park West, my neighborhood: the

Beresford, the El Dorado and the Dakota. They

are incredible and visible from Central Park

when you go for a walk or a run. Those are my

favorites.



If I had to pick, my favorite is Barbuto, Jonathan

Waxman’s restaurant in the West Village.



Even if I’m not working, I’m still a New York

politics and news junkie. My favorite way to relax

is to watch NY1 and Inside City Hall or Anderson

Cooper on CNN. I’m hoping to do more travel.

I’ve got a long list of places to visit, and hopefully

I can check one or two a year off, now that I can

go away for more than week at a time.

REBNY honors a civic guardian’s fight for a better New York

Carol Kellermann,

The John E. Zuccotti Public Service Award

Honoree Q&A


Diane M. Ramirez, chairman and CEO

of Halstead Real Estate, is known for

thinking big.

Under Ramirez’s leadership, Halstead Real Estate

has grown from three storefront offices to three

dozen offices with more than 1,300 agents in New

York City, the Hamptons, the Hudson Valley, New

Jersey and Connecticut.

Ramirez is vice chairman of the board of directors of

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a glob-

al community of more than 565 independent real

estate firms. This year she will become the group’s

chairman of the board. In 2010 she was appointed

by the governor to the New York state Board of Real

Estate, where she is an active member.

Ramirez, known for her charitable and civic

work, received Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian

Award from REBNY for meritorious service

to the community in 2009. In addition, she

was honored with the Henry Forster Award, a

recognition for brokers, in 2007.

REBNY selected Ramirez for this year’s Bernard

H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate

Award. The late Bernard Mendik, a developer,

was a chairman of REBNY.

“When I look at Bernie Mendik, he was always a total

icon to me,” Ramirez said. “He is one of the people

you look up to. I want to look right and left and say,

‘Is it really me they nodded for this?’”

Crain’s: What accomplishment were you most

proud of in 2018?

In 2018 we rebranded into a fresher, bolder orga-

nization that encompasses who we are today—a

very powerful tri-state firm with many different

markets, from urban to suburban to second

home. We knew we really needed a face that fit

all those markets. It was an exciting journey. The

result was just beyond my expectations. We have

an affiliation with a clothing company that does

custom suits and coats. They created a lining that

has our logo for our jackets and coats. There’s

such pride to it. When I walk through the office,

my agents will flip over their suit jackets to show

their logo. It makes me realize we hit a home run.

Crain’s: What was the most important develop-

ment at your firm in 2018?

In addition to the rebranding, I brought on a

couple of directors that are such a wonderful fit—

Juliet Clapp for our West Side leadership, who will

be working with Michael Goldenberg, and we add-

ed a director in Brooklyn, Beth Kugel. We brought

a managing director for Connecticut, Peter Marra,

as well. I’m thrilled to have them by my side.


strategy in 2019?

2019 is going to be strategically shoring up our opera-

tions in the areas of growth we’re very much interest-

ed in—particularly with the wonderful announcement

of Amazon in Long Island City. We are and have been

solidly in Long Island City. We’re also in Forest Hills.

We are going to look at our operations to make sure

we are the right size for the areas we are in, and if

there are new areas we should be looking at.

Crain’s: What impact do you expect from Ama-

zon’s opening in Long Island City?

I think No. 1 is just the excitement it’s brought.

This is long term and financially fantastic for us.

This is for the executives. This is not a distribution

center. You’re going to see Long Island City bur-

geoning even more than it is already. You’re going

to see it throughout Queens. You’re also going

to see it in Manhattan. There will be executives

who will be in Manhattan. There will be executives

who want the suburban life as well. I think our

Connecticut and New Jersey markets are going to

have some excitement from it—just all the young

people that it will bring in. It’s such a win. I don’t

think we’ve seen that for a long time.

Crain’s: New York City’s infrastructure is ripe for

improvement. What’s No. 1 on your wish list?

The one at the top of my list is the Metropoli-

tan Transportation Authority. Efforts are being

made. With these things you can’t twitch your

nose like Bewitched and make them happen.

Because infrastructure is so important to our

city, our leadership will make certain it is looked

at. I see little changes already.


commercial real estate sectors. What are the

most interesting developments you’re seeing?

It’s so sad walking down the street and seeing

empty stores, but newer things are opening. I walk

to work every day. Along the avenue I walk down,

there’s a barbershop that opened, a very adorable

barbershop. You wouldn’t expect that.

It’s the sort of mom-and-pop businesses that are

coming back, which to me is very, very exciting.

A few years ago, it would just be a bank with an

ATM in it. I also think it’s interesting that the

hospitals are coming in and having health care at

the retail level—making it so much more inviting,

so much more comfortable.

Crain’s: What effects are you seeing from the

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017? Is it affecting

your firm or your clients much?

We’re all waiting and watching for the real ef-

fects. In New York, by and large, I think it’s still

out there as to the true impact.

Crain’s: What qualities are most important to

success for someone entering your field today?

It’s always been hard work. Particularly in my indus-

try, where the agents are 100% commission. They

are really running their own company. The ones en-

tering today really understand that. They are looking

at it as a business. It’s not just taking people out and

getting buyers and looking for sellers.

Years ago, you would have endless amounts of

people responding to your little classified ads and

more customers than you knew what to do with.

Now, everyone can go on the internet. They don’t

necessarily have to come to us for info. You need

to look at this as a business with a business plan.

Agents need to make sure they manage their time.

Social media is an integral part of their success.

Crain’s: What is your favorite New York City real

estate icon?

My mind immediately goes to residential build-

ings. I have a couple of favorites. I love 834 Fifth

Ave. The apartments are just spectacular. You

can’t not comment about 15 Central Park West.

It combines the graciousness of the beautiful

iconic building with all the wonderful amenities

of today that were brilliantly done.

Crain’s: What is your favorite spot in the city to

dine out with friends and family?

I have too many favorites. I eat out all the time. I love

the fancy ones. We had dinner at the 21 Club the

other day. It’s just so magical. I love Salt Bae, where

the chef sprinkles the salt. Primola, on Second Ave-

nue, is my absolute favorite Italian restaurant.

Crain’s: When you’re not working, what’s your

favorite way to relax?

I love golf. I don’t do it enough. I’m a grandmother,

so spending time with my family and grandchildren

is just beyond my absolute favorite thing to do. I

truly adore reading. My reading is eclectic. I love

business books. Mike Staver is someone I know. He

wrote the book Leadership Isn’t for Cowards. I keep

that near my desk.

Congratulationsto

Diane M. Ramirez Halstead Chairman & CEO

for her recognition by REBNY with the

Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate Award

and for her exceptional career in the real estate industry.

Bold leadership comes with the territory for Halstead’s chief executive

Diane M. Ramirez,

The Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate Award

Honoree Q&A


Untitled-6 1 1/7/19 4:40 PM

When Daniel Tishman learned he was

receiving the Harry B. Helmsley

Distinguished New Yorker Award

from the Real Estate Board of New York, it

had special meaning.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is

we are a fourth-generation New York

business from an immigrant family that

stepped off a boat from Poland in 1895 and

were able to make something of it,” said

Tishman, principal and vice chairman of the

construction firm Tishman and a member

of the board of the design, engineering and

construction firm AECOM, which merged

with Tishman Construction in 2011.

Over the years he has been involved in

building New York City landmarks, such

as the World Trade Center, Hudson Yards,

Barclay’s Center and the World Trade

Center. Tishman, who has a master’s degree

in environmental studies, has been a leader

in the green building industry.

“Change is always the stimulus for

evolution,” he said. “Evolution has always

ended in something better for our city.”



We really continued our significant presence

in the hospitality industry. We opened

a brand-new hotel in Chicago that we

developed called the Aloft Chicago Mag Mile,

and we broke ground for a significant new

development in our hotel complex at Epcot

Center in Disney World for a luxury hotel

called The Cove at the Walt Disney World

Swan resort, a Tishman-owned property.



We created a new financial company called

Tishman Capital Partners. It branches into

financial transactions both on the debt and

equity side.

Crain’s: Where will you focus your

business strategy in 2019?

Our business strategy in 2019 will be focused

on the execution of the properties under

development—The Cove hotel in Orlando and

a residential property on 16th Street—and

really looking for acquisition opportunities.

The site on 16th Street just got approved a

few weeks ago through the City Council for

an up-zoning.



When a company like Amazon relocates to

New York, there is a huge multiplier effect. I

anticipate that effect will bring a lot of new

businesses that haven’t necessarily looked

to New York until recently. Amazon likes

to have many of its vendors proximal to

them. The announcement we’ve heard about

Amazon will ultimately evolve into a much

greater opportunity for not only Long Island

City, but for the city as a whole.

Crain’s: New York City’s infrastructure

is ripe for improvement. What’s No. 1 on

your wish list?

There is no one change that will take care of

everything, but the relationships between

many will solve a lot of problems.

I’ve been involved though the state as chair

of the governor’s committee that did the

master planning for the airports. I’m quite

proud that LaGuardia Airport is well along

the way, Kennedy Airport is starting and, in

a relatively short period of time, we will have

two world-class airports that rank in the top

percent rather than at the bottom of the list.

We need to do something about the traffic

in the city and surrounding area. I’ve been

a fan of congestion pricing. But with that,

there has to be a focus on the public transit

system.

I’m also a huge believer in a new tunnel

under the Hudson River. The fact that we are

the largest center of commerce for the entire

U.S. and have antiquated infrastructure to

get you from New Jersey and to New York

or goods back and forth rises to the level of

a national security issue that needs to be

taken care of quickly.

Crain’s: Change is sweeping retail

and other commercial real estate

sectors. What are the most interesting

developments you’re seeing?

The way we look at retail and commercial

space is changing. I think it’s changing for

the better. In 1996 our company built for the

Durst family the first commercial speculative

green building in America. At that point in

time we were told we were crazy. It would

price itself out of the market, it would never

be something anybody would replicate—and

today there isn’t a building built in America

that is not a green building.



New York is very sticky. It keeps people here.

People look past the taxes. It’s been really

good to us for generations, so we stay. But

I don’t think the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has

been a particularly good friend to New York.

It is potentially a good friend to the rest of

the country.


to success for someone entering your

field today?

I see people coming in who are much

more internet savvy, but they still need to

understand the numbers. In our industry

it’s all about the numbers. The real estate

industry requires a huge amount of

entrepreneurial spirit and gut feeling. Being

creative and having a good finger on the

pulse of what the new generations want is a

really important attribute.

Crain’s: What is your favorite New York

City real estate icon?

I have to say the World Trade Center: My

father built the original. That was clearly

an icon for the nation. Having had the

opportunity to rebuild it in a way I think is

better, with a much more important cultural

attachment to it, that one is closest and

dearest to me.



I’m a foodie. I like going everywhere. If you

ask me at one moment in time, I’d say Katz’s

Deli. I love it.



My wife and I love to travel to very exotic,

remote places. We have spent a good deal

of time trekking in Nepal. We’ve spent a lot

of time in the Arctic. I have a passion for

photography. Those are places I love to go

and let my artistic side sneak out.

Taking the multigenerational business into the future

Daniel R.

Tishman, The Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award

Honoree Q&A


For Bernard Warren, chairman and

president of Webb & Brooker, winning

the George M. Brooker Management

Executive of the Year Award from the Real

Estate Board of New York is even more

meaningful because the award was named after

one of the firm’s co-founders.

“George Brooker received the first

management award in 1977,” Warren said.

“Now all of these years later, I’m receiving it.”

The award comes as Warren makes his mark

in Jamaica, Queens, where Webb & Brooker

is forging ahead with new affordable housing,

deepening its longstanding commitment

to Harlem. The boutique management

and development firm celebrated its 50th

anniversary in 2018.

“Eugene H. Webb turned 100 on Nov. 24,”

Warren said, referring to the firm’s chairman

emeritus and co-founder. “He’s a guy I really

admire for having the foresight to start a

business in Harlem in 1968.”



In addition to REBNY, I’m also very, very

involved with the Jamaica YMCA in South

Jamaica where I’m vice chairman of the board.

I was born in Harlem. My family moved out to

South Jamaica when I was young. I used to

swim at the Y and play basketball. This is my

way of giving back. I’m vice chairman of the

board of directors of the Y. I’m very involved

in raising money for kids to go to the Y and

sleepaway camp for free. It’s a major effort.



As far as the company goes, we have done

some development work over the years. We

have now actually started forming a partnership

to develop affordable housing. We are working

on about 600 units of affordable housing in our

pipeline. That all came together in 2018. It’s

in Jamaica, for the most part. One part of the

project is in Brooklyn.

Jamaica is seeing a resurgence. There’s major

development going up. We’ve piggybacked but

gone a little farther south. Now we’re going

into downtown Jamaica, near the Long Island

Rail Road. It falls under the mayor’s affordable

housing plan.


strategy in 2019?

We have to rezone. We’re working with the local

community.



wish list?

For me, it’s the bridges and tunnels. That’s

just how people travel in the boroughs—the

bridges and tunnels are very important. The

bridges, particularly, are so old. Given all the

construction I see, I think we’re on our way. I

travel in the Midtown Tunnel. I see that work

has already been done there. They’re still doing

work at night. It’s just critical to New York City

to have bridges and tunnels improved as much

as possible.


commercial real estate sectors. What are

the most interesting developments you’re

seeing?

My office is in Harlem. We’re doing business

in Jamaica. For Harlem and Jamaica, there’s

clearly been an uptick in commercial activity.

Right now, in Harlem and Jamaica, folks

are looking to do new developments. Some

of the major guys are coming into these

areas—Starbucks, some of the big furniture

companies.


the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017? Is it

affecting your firm or your clients much?

People are saying they think it’s going to

stimulate the economy. For those of us in my

field, affordable housing, we’re looking to see

how the Opportunity Zones are going to pan

out. There are some final regulations that need

to come out on that. It’s really too soon to tell.

Crain’s: What qualities are most important to

success for someone entering your field today?

I speak at Baruch College. I went there. The

funny thing about business, I tell the students,

is that no matter what industry it is, at the end

of the day—it sounds corny—but hard work,

dedication and persistence are essential.

I came in as a site manger. At the end of the

day, I got into the top chair, so to speak. No

matter what industry you’re in, access and

mentorship are important.

I have a woman in my office, who has been

here maybe two years. She is someone I’m

mentoring. She came in as a receptionist. Now

she’s the office manger. She’s hungry and

dedicated. She could be a leader one day.

Wilfred DeFour shepherded me to become

leader of this company. He just passed away.

He was 100 years old. He was a Tuskegee

Airman. His family owned real estate in Harlem,

going back to the 1950s. He mentored me.

When I decided I wanted to do this full time, I

changed to Webb & Brooker, the biggest real

estate company in Harlem at the time. Eugene

Webb and George Brooker mentored me. They

told me what courses to take, which people I

should meet. That’s why I talk about access and

mentorship being so important.


real estate icon?

For me personally, it’s 230 Park Ave. I used to

work at Federal Express. We used to have an

office at 230 Park Ave. That’s always been a

fascinating building to me, where you come in

through the hotel.



Chocolat in Harlem. I know the owner going

way back. He was part of the new renaissance

of restaurants in Harlem. I love to bring folks to

talk about what’s going on in Harlem.



I play golf. I don’t know if golf is actually relaxing

for me sometimes. You’re fighting against

yourself. It’s a joy, but it’s painful.

I love jazz. I go to jazz clubs with my wife and

family and friends. My father used to play the

trumpet. I never learned to play, but I still enjoy

a nice jazz concert.

I also exercise regularly. I played basketball in

high school. I still play a little basketball and go

to the gym and work out. I do calisthenics.

I’ve been married for 30 years to Paula

Hamilton Warren. She’s also in real estate. It

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OCP-1046 OgdenCap 2019 REBNY Ad_10.87x14.5_V3.indd 1 1/2/19 1:01 PM

A pioneering real estate leader makes his mark on affordable housing

makes for interesting conversations!

Bernard Warren,

The George M. Brooker Manage-ment Executive of the Year Award

Honoree Q&A

Documents

AT THE WHAT’S REBNY_0.pdf · Brown Harris Stevens Joel G. Burris Cornell University Cushman & Wakefield Mark Weiss / Rob Eisenberg Endicott Management Company BC Lewin Realty, Inc