Spotlights

2019 Ones to Watch: Donal Flaherty, Bestreich Realty Group, LLC

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months?  My greatest accomplishment in the past 12 months was being named generator of the year and being part of selling 331 Keap St. for $15.5 million.

2019 Ones to Watch: Brandon Polakoff, Avison Young

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months? Over the last two years I have originated and closed over $200 million in sales and has played a role in over $2 billion in sales. I originated and closed 344-348 East 62nd St. for $35.5 million in February after multiple brokers could not make the trade. The properties sold for a 2.7% cap, which will likely stand as a

2019 Ones to Watch: Andrew Maziarski, EverGreene Architectural Arts

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months? The completion restoration of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimorewith Sarah Kloze, sr. project manager. This is one of the firm’s largest projects to date and participating from start to finish has given me the opportunity to manage a complex scope of work…

2019 Ones to Watch: John Barrett, RM Friedland

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months?  Starting the Investment Sales Division at RM Friedland and being able to bring in such strong talented brokers. RM Friedland has a nearly 50-year track record in sales and leasing of industrial and retail and office property types.

2019 Ones to Watch: Jamie DeNicola, Cignature Realty

Who or what do you attribute to your success? I credit much of my initial success to a few things. First, I have two great mentors at Cignature Realty. From day one, the firm’s founders, Lazer Sternhell and Peter Vanderpool set the tone, setting achievable goals and holding me accountable for:

2019 Ones to Watch: Bridgette Van Sloun, Urbahn Architects

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months? For the past two years, I have been the project architect for the new 65,000 s/f CUNY Lehman College Nursing Education, Research, and Practice Center (NERPC) in the Bronx. Despite many challenges related to the…

2019 Ones to Watch: David Khukhashvili, Ariel Property Advisors

What advice can you offer to someone who is interested in a career in your industry? Choose a path that you are passionate about. Given the highly competitive nature of the real estate industry, it’s very important to constantly hone your skills and master your craft as a professional. Having a drive is vital and a true passion is a great catalyst.

2019 Ones to Watch: Jacob Namdar, Klosed Properties

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months?  During a difficult time in the market, we were able to close on several transactions in the Bronx and Harlem.

2019 Ones to Watch: Lou Fuoco, The Fuoco Group

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months?  Drawing visibility and credibility to Opportunity Zones, one of the biggest game changers for commercial real estate, communities, and investors to come out of the Tax Reform Act. I love being one step ahead, and now there are more options than 1031s.

2019 Ones to Watch: Jacob Twena, Tri State Commercial Realty

What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months?  I consider my recent greatest professional accomplishment as completing five retail lease transactions in two days. It took a lot of hard work and persistence but being able to close that many deals in such a short