The Durst Organization promotes Aaron to vice president of leasing and Kuznick to leasing manager

Ashlea Aaron, The Durst Org.

Karen Kuznick, The Durst Org.

New York, NY The Durst Org. has promoted Ashlea Aaron to vice president of leasing and Karen Kuznick to leasing manager. Both employees were recognized for their contributions to the organization. Aaron led the 100% lease-up of The Durst Org.’s 1.5 million s/f East Side Portfolio and Kuznick has led the pre-built and build-to-suit program at One World Trade Center which has leased 160,000 s/f since its inception. 

“The leasing department provides the fuel that powers The Durst Org.,” said Jonathan Durst, president of The Durst Org. “We are extremely proud of both Ashlea and Karen and their impressive contributions to the organization. Both of them were handed challenging projects and have used their experience, ingenuity and creativity to excel in their positions and surpass expectations.”

“It has been an exciting two years for me at The Durst Org.,” said  Aaron.  “Our East Side portfolio presented an exciting challenge, but with the help of my colleagues we were able to demonstrate to the market the quality and value of our Third Ave. assets and the response has been terrific.  I look forward to keeping the East Side at 100% occupancy and to assisting in the lease up of the retail space at VIA West 57.”

Aaron, who joined The Durst Organization in September 2014, overseas the leasing of 655 Third Ave., 675 Third Ave. and the retail at VIA 57WEST and also assists with the leasing of The Durst Organization West Side Portfolio.  Prior to joining The Durst Organization in August 2013 Ashlea was a Senior Managing Director in the Strategic Agency Group at Cushman & Wakefield.  Aaron is a graduate of Colgate University where she majored in History and Economics.

“Working on One World Trade Center is a once in lifetime opportunity,” said Karen Kuznick, Leasing Manager for The Durst Organization. “One World Trade Center is among the most recognizable buildings in the world and overseeing our build-to-suit and pre-built program has allowed me to bring nearly a dozen tenants into this dynamic, efficient and beautiful building.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to lease up all 250,000 square feet of the small suite program.” 

Kuznick joined The Durst Organization in August 2002. She is responsible for negotiations, leasing, marketing, and maintaining tenancy of the Western Hemisphere’s tallest building.  Karen holds a B.A. from the University of Maryland and has earned certificates in both Real Estate Finance and Property Management at New York University.  She is a member of the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association and the Real Estate Board of New York.

The Durst Organization, founded in 1915 by Joseph Durst, is the owner, manager and builder of 13 million square feet of premiere Manhattan office towers and 1,950 residential rental units with 2,400 under construction. The Durst Organization is recognized as a world leader in the development of high-performance and environmentally advanced commercial and residential buildings.  www.durst.org