The Real Estate Board of New York names winners for the Retail Deal of the Year Awards

Manhattan, NY The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), named winners for its annual Retail Deal of the Year Awards at a ceremony and cocktail party held on September 13^th. In its 25^th year, the event attracted 150 members and guests, and was held at The Starbucks Reserve Roastery at the Empire State Building.

Judges consisting of real estate lawyers, property owners, and past and present chairs of the REBNY retail committee (having no conflicts of interest) evaluated the award nominations based on ingenuity and professional skill. Sales and leasing transactions coordinated by REBNY members involving retail property were eligible for award consideration regardless of size and complexity.

The Most Ingenious Retail Deal of the Year, which demonstrates exceptional broker acumen (ingenuity and creativity), was given to Andrew Goldberg, Jared Lack and Preston Cannon of CBRE for their 33,000 s/f lease of Aritzia at 608 Fifth Ave.

The Most Impactful Retail Deal of the Year, which represents the most meaningful retail transaction in its overall characteristics and importance to the New York City retail market, was given to Joel Stephen of CBRE and Michael O’Neill, Jason Greenstone and Taylor Reynolds of Cushman & Wakefield for their transaction of Eataly at 200 Lafayette, which was the largest food & beverage retail lease executed in SoHo and Nolita in at least 21 years.

New this year is the REBNY Retail Development/Project of the Year Award, which recognizes the developers, architects, general contractors, and consultants who facilitated development of the most impactful and unique retail-focused development in New York City. Nominated by past chairs of the retail committee and voted on by the entire REBNY membership, this award’s first winners are Haim Chera, Edward Hogan, Jason Morrison and Jenniel Davis of Vornado Realty Trust for the transformation of the 110-year-old Farley Post Office building into Moynihan Train Hall.

“This year’s winners and nominees continued to set the standard for incredible professionalism and dealmaking prowess,” said Steve Soutendijk, REBNY retail committee co-chair and executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield. “When we gather and recognize the best of our industry, we create an opportunity for further collaboration and achievements that push the envelope forward.”

“We went big with this year’s event to reflect the resurgence of New York City’s retail market, which continues to play a key role in supporting the city’s long-term economic recovery,” said Fred Posniak, REBNY retail committee co-chair and senior vice president at Empire State Realty Trust. “Thank you to all the nominees who exemplify what it means to be a leader in creativity and ingenuity.”

“This year has been a transformative, exciting time for retail,” said Leslie Donato, REBNY director of commercial brokerage services and events. “We are so glad to continue to bring our members together in celebration of all that successful retail brings to the city.”