2016 Women in Real Estate: Belinda Schwartz

Belinda Schwartz, Herrick, Feinstein LLP

Name: Belinda Schwartz

Title: Partner and Chair of the Real Estate Department

Company Name: Herrick, Feinstein LLP    

Email: [email protected]

Years in real estate: 33

Telephone: (212) 592-1544.

How did you get your start in real estate?

Growing up on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, I developed an appreciation for architecture and development at an early age. My first “job” in real estate was an internship at a real estate development firm, before I attended law school at NYU.

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of?

International Council of Shopping Centers; Real Estate Board of New York; Membership Committee; WX NY Women Executives in Real Estate

What recent project or transaction are you most proud of?

I represented XIN Development Group International, Inc. (Xin), the US development arm of China’s Xinyuan Real Estate, in its $57.5 million acquisition of one of the last remaining gas stations in Manhattan, which XIN is developing into a residential condominium with ground-floor retail. This deal exemplified what a powerful force Chinese investors have become – last year they accounted for 7% of the total commercial real estate investment in New York. While Xin was relatively new to the Manhattan market, they demonstrated their sophistication by being one of the first big investors in the Brooklyn condo market. They certainly showed me a new perspective on deal structuring, and it was great to see how they approach the market.

What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?

My husband, a psychiatrist, told me to keep my chin up, never lose my sense of compassion, and always keep my sense of humor. For the most part I’ve done that throughout my career, and it’s served me well. He also helped me understand how important it is to understand the business side of a real estate transaction, and to get inside the mind of the client in order to be the best possible advocate for their interests.