Thru the Lens: JDRF Real Estate Games returns to Chelsea Piers June 14th

New York, NY The JDRF Real Estate Games returned to Chelsea Piers on Thursday, June 14th raising money for JDRF, the leading global organization funding type one diabetes (T1D) research, through an afternoon competition among top real estate companies. More than 50 real estate firms raised over $325,000 for type one diabetes (T1D) research through the third annual JDRF Real Estate Games in New York City. JDRF is the leading global organization funding T1D research. CBRE won the afternoon competition among top real estate companies followed by Fisher Brothers. SL Green Realty Corp., Vornado Realty Trust, Brookfield Properties, and Tishman Speyer ranked highest in the fundraising challenge.

Participating teams in the third annual #JDRFREGames included: Bank of America, Boston Properties, Brookfield Office Properties, CBRE, Clune Construction Co., Douglaston Development, The Durst Org., Eastdil Secured, Fisher Brothers, Fried Frank, Glenwood Management, Hines, JDS Development Group, JLL, L&M Development Partners, Langan, Newmark Knight Frank, REBNY, Rudin Management Co., Savills Studley, SL Green Realty Corp., TF Cornerstone, Tishman Realty, Tishman Speyer, Two Trees Management Co., and Vornado Realty Trust.

In addition to Tishman Realty and SL Green Realty Corp., sponsors included AvalonBay, Colliers International, Davis & Gilbert LLP, Deloitte, Donald Zucker Co., Extell Development, Gensler, Gibson Dunn, Gilbane Building Co., Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Jamestown Properties, L&L Holding Company, Lalezarian Properties, Loeb & Loeb LLP, Loffredo Brooks Architects, Mercury Public Affairs, Rockrose Development Corp., RXR Realty, and Toyota.

With support from Tishman Speyer for the team fundraising challenge, additional donors to the Games included the Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP (AGMB), The Brodsky Organization, Cyruli Shanks Hart & Zizmor LLP, the Gotham Organization, The Hudson Companies, Jack Resnick & Sons, LCOR, Muss Development, and World Wide Group.

“The third edition of the NYC JDRF Real Estate Games was the biggest and most successful to date.  It was another demonstration of the strong philanthropic role that the real estate industry plays in New York City. With such support, we take another step toward improving the lives of millions of Americans through better management and the eventual cure of T1D,” said event founder Jim Whelan, executive vice president of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), who serves on the JDRF New York City/Long Island Chapter’s Board of Directors. His teenage son Jack was diagnosed with T1D five years ago. 

Whelan and others organized the first local fundraising games in 2016, which raised over $80,000 for T1D research. The JDRF Real Estate Games originated in the Washington, DC area 26 years ago, and this year expanded to Chicago with plans for further expansion in 2019.  The three events raised over $1 million for T1D research in 2018.

John Johnson, Managing Director of Savills Studley and Chair of this year’s Games said, “I’m very proud to be involved in the third JDRF Real Estate Games in New York City, this year as Co-Chair.  Rarely does our industry have days out of the office to team build while raising funds for an important and life-changing organization like JDRF.  Where else can the JLL or CBRE team play dodgeball or rock climb against SL Green or Vornado?”

David Kaufman, senior vice president of leasing at SL Green Realty Corp. and executive leadership chair of the games echoed the importance of the industry rallying to this cause. “Type 1 diabetes became part of my family’s life a little over one year ago. Since that time, I have been searching for a way to support JDRF in finding a cure. The awareness and funds raised by this event are a meaningful contribution towards that goal.  It has been heartwarming to see the amount of support my family, friends and co-workers have provided in connection with this great cause.”

“Having been personally touched by type 1 diabetes, I can’t overstate the impact of the research and advocacy work that JDRF does and the importance of our support,” said David Rothenberg, President of Tishman Realty. “It was heartening to see the major players in our industry come together at an event that both builds camaraderie and raises much needed funding.”

Maureen Fitzgerald, executive director of the JDRF New York City/Long Island Chapter said, “JDRF is extremely grateful for the generous support from the New York real estate community. This event is a great opportunity to get an incredibly energetic and philanthropic industry together, whether you have type one diabetes, know someone who does, or want to simply participate in an event that makes a huge impact on so many lives,” she stated. “We are so fortunate to have the unwavering support of the numerous real estate industry partners who make it possible for JDRF to direct even more funding toward important T1D research for the 1.25 million people with this serious disease.”