2026 Ones To Watch - Rising Stars: Robert Wais, Meridian Capital Group

“We are honored to recognize Robert Wais as one of NYREJ’s Ones to Watch. This recognition reflects his commitment to building meaningful relationships, uncovering opportunities, and creating value for clients throughout the New York City real estate market and beyond. As he continues to grow his career, he remains focused on hard work and persistence, leveraging the firm’s three divisions to deliver exceptional results while helping shape the future of the industry.”

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of?

Building meaningful relationships has always come naturally to me, especially through my work in the food space. I used to host some of the most active commercial real estate professionals in the industry, and transitioning those relationships into potential transactions has been both challenging and rewarding. For example, identifying an ownership group that was not actively considering a transaction, developing a relationship with them, and ultimately positioning the property for a potential sale or joint venture. While transactions are important, I am most proud of the process it takes to achieve them.

What trends or opportunities do you see shaping the future of your industry?

I see two major trends shaping New York City’s ever-evolving real estate market. First, office-to-residential conversions present a significant opportunity, particularly as obsolete Class B and C office buildings in Midtown and the Financial District are repositioned to meet housing demand. Second, multifamily remains the most resilient asset class. Despite regulatory challenges, demand for housing across Manhattan and Brooklyn remains exceptionally strong. Low inventory, rising rents, and continued investor interest continue to support well-located residential and mixed-use properties.