2025 Year in Review: Joseph DeFazio, Wendel

What transaction, project, or key moment best reflected the direction of the New York CRE market this year? 

In 2025, the New York CRE market continued to emphasize community-focused development and sustainability. Wendel saw this reflected in projects that reimagined spaces for connection and long-term value. At Royal Park, we partnered with the Town of Amherst and Daemen University to transform a long-standing public space into a vibrant athletic and recreation complex, adding upgraded fields, new courts, and family-friendly amenities that strengthen community engagement. The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens also broke ground on a transformative expansion, with Wendel leading the design and engineering effort. This project preserves the historic character of the landmark while introducing new spaces for education, celebration, and connection, all guided by sustainability principles. We also advanced the Starpoint Central School District’s capital improvement plan, which focused on creating safer, more accessible learning environments and enhancing athletic facilities to better serve students and the broader community. Together, these projects reflect a broader trend toward integrated solutions that deliver lasting impact while enriching the communities they serve. 

What accomplishment, milestone, project or transaction stood out for you or your firm in 2025? 

Celebrating our 85^th anniversary was a defining milestone for Wendel and a rare achievement in the AEC industry. It speaks to our longevity, adaptability, and commitment to client service. From a project perspective, we were proud to help deliver two of New York State’s first all-electric, geothermal heat pump fire stations in Beacon and Ithaca. These innovative facilities set a new standard for sustainable design in public safety and demonstrate how communities are embracing climate action and decarbonization goals. The Ithaca Fire Station earned NY-GEO’s GEOSTAR 2025 Top Job Award in the Commercial category, and the Beacon Fire Station received multiple design awards, reinforcing the impact of this work. Beyond projects, Wendel earned 11 awards across architecture, engineering, and design and appeared on 15 professional services firm rankings, including being named number one on Buffalo Business First’s list of engineering firms and recognized nationally on the MEP Giants list. These accomplishments reflect the strength of our team and the quality of our work, making 2025 a year of innovation and impact.