2025 Power Players in Real Estate

John leads Marino’s day-to-day operations and a combined staff of 60 team members, with Marino now considered among the mid-sized agency elite nationwide. His reputation is unsurpassed among Fortune 100 C-Suite executives, founders at emerging technology/innovation companies, corporate principals of leading real estate companies, and directors at prestigious nonprofits. Under his leadership, Marino’s work within the real estate innovation space has also grown exponentially.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
I’m looking forward to Site K on Manhattan’s Far West Side by the Javits Center. It’s an ambitious, vibrant, urban development that also manages to add nearly 1,400 new homes, including affordable units. The modern design and forward-looking thinking should breathe even more new life to the far west side of Manhattan. I can’t wait to work on marketing the project with our clients who have been selected by the state to develop the site.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
New York’s real estate will increasingly revolve around technology-driven innovation, with virtual tours, data analytics, AI-driven building management, and smart office and home integrations enhancing tenant experiences. The industry will need to adapt to these trends to meet evolving tenant expectations. Additionally, adaptive reuse of underutilized assets will impact the future, especially in cities like NYC, San Francisco, and Chicago. It will be exciting to see how aging assets are repurposed for new use cases.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most significant lesson I’ve learned is to always stay adaptable and nimble. Markets continuously shift, technologies change, and team dynamics evolve, but being open to new methods and fresh perspectives keeps you a step ahead. I’ve discovered that embracing challenges fuels personal and professional growth. Whether that means learning fresh skills, adjusting strategies on the fly, or going to an event you have never been to before, adaptability helps you turn obstacles into opportunities. 

Jonathan Mechanic is chairman of Fried Frank’s Real Estate Department and routinely counsels developers, owners, investors, REITs, and lenders in all aspects of major commercial real estate transactions throughout the country. His clients include some of the country’s most prominent owners, operators, and developers. This year, Jon was recognized by REBNY with the Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership Award for his exceptional service to the real estate industry and professional accomplishments within his distinguished career.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
There are two projects I’m especially excited for this year: The first is the new JP Morgan headquarters building at 270 Park Avenue, which will be completed this year; the second is the new Citidel headquarters building at 350 Park Avenue, which should commence construction within the next 18 months. Each will become icons of a new era of the office building, and they are also each “once-in-a-lifetime” projects for me.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
The evolution is being driven by the return of workers to the office, which I applaud. With this comes the desire to work in the very best environments possible – the healthiest, most efficient, comfortable and amenity-rich spaces. This is why the newest, high-quality office buildings are the most in demand, but also those buildings that have been restored to A+ quality, including the Seagram Building, 550 Madison Avenue, 660 Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
For me, “so far” is a long time!  In that time I’ve learned the importance of building meaningful personal relationships and always doing what you say. Those relationships make a difference, when you combine strong relationships with an earned reputation for always delivering on your promises you’re able to do things that most people can’t.

Jolie Milstein is president and CEO of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH), the largest affordable housing trade group in the country, and serves as a housing expert and leading advocate for policies on matters that advance the industry. Through partnerships with agencies, elected officials, and corporate leaders, Jolie has helped transform NYSAFAH into the foremost voice on housing issues in both New York City and State.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
These days, I am especially interested in sustainability and the role our industry plays. Take, for example,  the adaptive reuse of older buildings. There are scores of unused or underutilized buildings that can be reimagined as a source of affordable housing. This is a more sustainable way to overcome resistance to change because buildings are already there. I’m really excited about the opportunity this presents and look forward to working on it this year.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
Like so many industries, technology will increasingly drive our work. We need to find ways to embrace those changes and harness their power to advance our mission. It will impact everything from construction and finance to land management. Take community engagement: arguments that are not grounded in data will be less effective than data-driven messages. This will help elevate the majority of voices that want to build projects over the small but vocal opposition.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
When you are working at the intersection of the public and private sectors, the private sector has to take the initiative to drive change. There needs to be collaboration and consensus-building, but when harnessed properly industry is the most powerful and effective voice to accomplish big things. We are the sources of innovation and solutions that will unlock meaningful change.

Rory Murphy, principal and the NYC market leader, oversees Avison Young’s continued growth in the region and its strategic client services and business development. Prior to Avison Young, Rory was a partner at Transwestern, serving on that firm’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and Cushman & Wakefield. Rory attended Colby College and currently lives in Westport, CT with his wife and three children.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
Across Avison Young’s 100+ team members and seven core service lines in New York City, it’s a real challenge to single out one particular exciting project…I would say I am more excited to see continued connectivity and alignment across the Avison Young’s brand, especially here in New York City. We couldn’t be better positioned for growth and have already started seeing strong momentum in 2025.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
Our industry has been pushed in a way that was hard to see coming. More than anything it showed us that change can happen fast. It will be the companies that evolve quickly that will more effectively meet clients’ needs and this is how I anticipate change in the future.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Be direct and bet on yourself!

Regina Myer is president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP), the primary champion for Downtown Brooklyn as a world-class business, cultural, educational, residential, and retail destination. Ms. Myer is leading initiatives, advocating, and securing funding to improve Downtown Brooklyn’s public realm, upgrade infrastructure, create open space, and cohesively connect the booming district to adjacent neighborhoods. Until 2016, Regina served as president of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
We are leading the revitalization of Fulton Street’s streetscape along with the NYC Parks Department – making the street more pedestrian-friendly and greener.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
I see Downtown Brooklyn evolving to become more mixed-use, to capitalize on strong housing demand to bring more affordable units to the district, and the strength of our academic institutions.

Jay A. Neveloff, partner and chair of real estate at Kramer Levin, advises a broad range of clients involved with the development, ownership and financing of real estate projects, including high-profile mixed-use, commercial, retail, and residential projects in New York City and throughout the country. 

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
2025 is going to present generational opportunities for commercial real estate. Due to the abundance of funds poised to invest in real estate and other market pressures, there is increasing activity in both debt and equity opportunities.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
New York City, including its real estate, is certainly the center of the universe. There is an abundance of opportunities to reimagine and recreate real estate throughout the entire city. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson is that you could be a very effective advocate without being a jerk.  Relationships and trust that you build within the industry are of paramount importance.  I’ve also learned to take a step back, think about the bigger picture and the context of any situation and then look for a solution. 

As a longtime strategic executive at Related Companies, Charles O’Byrne leads all federal, state and local government affairs, oversees a range of labor and litigation matters and provides strategic counsel on numerous projects within the Related portfolio. O’Byrne also maintains a management role with energyRe, a Related-founded renewable energy company. He has served in several key public roles, including as secretary to former Governor David Patterson. He is a native and resident of Manhattan.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
The development of the Western Railyards is a $13 billion investment that will benefit not just the neighborhood of West Chelsea, but all New Yorkers. It will generate tens of thousands of union jobs during construction, five thousand permanent new jobs, a 5.6 acre public green park, a school and 1,500 new apartments, including 300 affordable units. It’s an incredible opportunity to build on the success of Hudson Yards and jumpstart NYC’s economy.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
As an industry in NYC, real estate needs to work alongside partners in government to help solve the housing crisis – both in terms of availability and affordability. My hope is that we can take a thoughtful look at policy solutions in the context of the current market; with construction costs on the rise, inflation and interest rates still high, we need to be both creative and realistic to jumpstart our economy and build for the future.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Show up, work hard, maintain focus on your personal values, and remember that life is long. There are wins and losses, especially in a place as complex and diverse as New York. But if you maintain your personal values and relationships along the way, it makes all of the difference.

James “Jimmy” S. Oddo serves as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), where he leads the City’s efforts to regulate and promote safety at approximately 40,000 active construction sites and 1.1 million buildings. A dedicated public servant with more than two decades of elected, legal, and academic experience, Commissioner Oddo has made collaborating across government entities to achieve quality of life enhancements for NYC residents a hallmark of his career.

David L. Picket, CEO of Gotham Organization, joined in 1991, leading new project development before taking over development and property operations in 1998. He served as president of Gotham Development until 2020 before becoming CEO. David is the fourth-generation Picket leader in Gotham’s 110-year history, continuing its commitment to multifamily housing in NYC and beyond. Under his leadership, Gotham has developed over 5,000 housing units and 1.7 million square feet of urban retail.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
We’re most excited to lease The Maybury this year, which has been completed at 550 Tenth Avenue – a building that truly embodies our commitment at Gotham to building thoughtful, community-focused development, with the best amenities in class. 

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
Real estate has evolved to blend work, relaxation, and community. As in-person and remote work continue to evolve, amenities like co-working spaces and private work pods will remain essential, alongside wellness features like fitness centers and outdoor areas. At Gotham, we’ve long recognized this, designing spaces that balance work and community well-being. We’ll continue to offer those same community-driven experiences – like sailing trips and wine tastings – that have become a hallmark of the Gotham name.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Patience. Development does not afford immediate gratification. Our deals can often take several years. As such, you have to make sure you are constantly looking at new deals so that when one deal is leasing up another is under construction and another is in development.

Scott Rechler is the chief executive officer and chairman of RXR, an innovative investor, developer, and place-maker committed to applying a customer and community-centered approach to all aspects of its business. Before starting RXR, Scott served as the chair and CEO of Reckson Associates, which he helped take public in 1995. Additionally, Scott currently serves as vice chair on the Board of Directors for View, Inc.