2025 Power Players in Real Estate

For over four decades, Peter Riguardi has guided clients through the complex NYC commercial real estate market, playing a critical role in many of the city’s most significant projects, including the rebuilding of the WTC after 9/11 and the development of Hudson Yards. Peter oversees 4,800 professionals across seven offices and has been instrumental in shifting JLL from the traditional brokerage model to an advisory model, quadrupling the firm’s market share in the process. 

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
New York City’s office market stands at a critical juncture, with a severely limited supply of top Class A space. Excluding JPMC’s transformative 270 Park headquarters project, there is little or no new office construction underway. Sites like the historic Roosevelt Hotel offer enormous opportunity for ground-up developers, while owners are exploring dramatic repositioning projects for well-located existing projects that can accommodate demand for superior space in the next several years. 

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
Resurgent office demand and limited availability of trophy office space has prompted the highest rental rates for high-quality products that I have seen in my 40-plus years in the business. We must build new offices and reinvest in aging properties to meet the demand for modern, amenity-rich workspaces. New York City will continue to thrive only if we can respond to this challenge, provide affordable housing for young talent and maintain a safe living environment. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
I have learned that you must surround yourself with talented and ambitious individuals and that you must embrace new technology and new approaches to business – the evolution of business will continue to accelerate and you cannot succeed if you don’t stay in front of that. However, the most important lesson I have learned is to be relentless, to stay in the game and make progress every day – this is the road to success.

Council Member Kevin C. Riley, chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, leads with vision and results. Representing New York City’s 12th District, he was instrumental in securing $5 billion for the Council’s City for All housing plan and spearheaded historic zoning reforms to create 82,000+ homes. A champion for equitable development, affordability, and homeownership, he ensures every community has a voice in shaping a more inclusive and prosperous New York City.

Ms. Rose oversees operations at Rose Associates, a Certified Minority & Women-owned Business. NYC’s largest multifamily manager with 30,000 units, Rose is developing 3 million SF in transit-oriented locations. Amy is on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee of REBNY and  is an active member of ULI and The Young Presidents’ Organization. Amy is also on the Dean’s Advisory Council of Literature, Science and Arts and the Ross Real Estate Advisory Board at the University of Michigan. 

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
I find the project we’re doing in Port Chester to be as exciting as it is expansive. We are developing 1,277 units of housing, a 120-key hotel, 200 units of senior housing, and four acres of accessible green space. Rose is enjoying its collaboration with Bedrock Real Estate Partners on this project. The location is truly remarkable, a 15-acre site at the intersection of Route 1 and I-287 with two Metro North train stations nearby.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
The industry will see increased tech integration as AI evolves to provide even greater efficiencies in leasing and property management. Rose has been using data analytics to improve decision-making and development planning for years. Our current application of tech-forward efficiencies helps to ensure the 30,000 units Rose has under management continually outperforms the market. With more advanced technologies, we’ll see better-informed decision making, increased transparency and improved investor confidence.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The importance of listening cannot be overstated. The one area of my professional life where I’m always looking to improve is my ability to truly take in what those around me are saying. Effective leaders are those willing to hear – from their clients, from their employees, from their partners and collaborators. Listening and patience brings honesty to the team dynamic and, in my experience, this results in goals being achieved on schedule with expectations exceeded.

Brenda Rosen has devoted her career to the issue of homelessness through government and nonprofit roles. Rosen joined Breaking Ground in 1999 as director of the Prince George residence. Since becoming CEO in 2011, Brenda has overseen Breaking Ground’s growth across 29 housing and program sites. She is board chair of the Supportive Housing Network of New York, on the board of Homeless Services United, and an advisory member of the New York Housing Conference.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
We’re working on three interesting projects right now at Breaking Ground, so it’s difficult to choose one I’m excited to see move forward this year. We’ll complete our first permanent residence in Queens designed for seniors, among the fastest growing demographic falling into homelessness; we’re converting a former dormitory in East Harlem into 434 supportive and affordable apartments; and later this year we’ll break ground on a huge mixed-use development in Central Brooklyn.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
I think we will see more and more partnerships/joint ventures among for-profit and nonprofit organizations, especially to develop large mixed-use communities. These projects will require community visioning and engagement, and in addition to housing will include community facility space, community-serving retail space, and new open space. In terms of design and engineering, we will see 100% electric, passive house, and other sustainable development standards becoming normalized.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Positive and supportive relationships, in all facets of work, are key to success. Developing and nurturing these kinds of relationships both internally and externally are foundational to achieving an organization’s mission.

Gary M. Rosenberg is the chairman of Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., a firm he founded in 1975. The firm has been primarily involved in New York real estate for its entire existence and Rosenberg has participated in many significant precedent-setting real estate cases in the New York State Court of Appeals. In 2019, Gary was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York Law Journal.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
2025 is our 50th anniversary and a milestone year for the firm. Our experience as New York City’s top real estate-only law firm has enabled us to assemble a leading team of attorneys, who are critical to our clients’ projects, from distressed loan workouts and tax assessment challenges to zoning disputes and regulatory matters. We are confident our efforts will continue to facilitate the creation of critical housing and modern office space in the city.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
New York will continue to reinvent itself to meet changing market conditions. We will see more owners and investors adapt to evolving work patterns by repurposing underutilized office spaces into residential units while renewed interest in high-quality, modern office spaces will prompt more developers to invest in new construction and repositioning projects that meet the needs of contemporary employers. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
I have learned that NY real estate is cyclical and that survival in the downturn is itself success.  If you can maintain your integrity and equilibrium when everything is falling apart, you will reap the benefits in the good times. Over the last 50 years, I have seen the bottom of the bottom a number of times but always believed there would be a recovery and there was.

Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal represents the 67th Assembly district, which includes the Upper West Side and parts of Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan. In her tenure, Rosenthal has established herself as a leading advocate on affordable housing, domestic violence, consumer protection, government reform, environmental issues and animal cruelty. Assembly member Rosenthal received a B.A. in history from the University of Rochester. She is a life-long resident of the Upper West Side.

Rafael Salamanca Jr. is the council member for New York City Council’s 17th District and serves as chair of the Land Use Committee. Since his special election in 2016, CM Salamanca has been a champion for affordable housing, approving more than 10,000 units of new 100% affordable housing. Driving more than $220 million in capital investments to his district, CM Salamanca fights for job creation and is committed to providing Bronx youth access to quality education.

Prisca Salazar-Rodriguez is a partner at Bolton-St. Johns with 30 years of experience in government. Before BSJ, she was at Hilltop Public Solutions, and previously, as the director of executive operations and scheduling for the Mayor of NYC and Chairman of ESDC.  Prisca began her career in the 90’s at the Bronx Borough President’s office where she served three borough presidents during 22 years there. Prisca is known for her common sense and practical style.

Pierina Sanchez represents District 14, where she was born and raised, watching her elders sell oranges, drive taxis, and clean buildings to secure opportunities for her generation. From the community board to the White House, and from advocacy organizations to the mayor’s office, Pierina advocates for immigrant families, racial justice, affordable housing, good jobs and investments in children, families, and seniors. She is committed to ensuring every resident thrives in a safe, stable neighborhood full of opportunity.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2025?
I am excited to advance the Housing Rescue and Resident Protection Act (Int. 1063) – a critical step toward addressing the crisis of distressed buildings. Too many tenants live in unsafe, undignified conditions due to deteriorating buildings and negligent landlords. This legislation identifies the city’s most distressed properties, flags them for intervention, and – after a fair process – transfers them to responsible ownership. No one should have to fight for basic repairs or fear that their home will crumble.

How do you see real estate evolving in the future?
Real estate in New York City must evolve to meet community needs. With more workplaces normalizing remote work, we have an opportunity to convert underutilized office spaces into housing. Office-to-residential conversions must be part of our strategy to address the housing crisis and prioritize affordability to ensure working-class New Yorkers can stay in their communities.We need to build housing that reflects our city’s diversity, from affordable units for low-income families to supportive housing and accessible homes for vulnerable populations.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far? (over by 7)
It’s not enough to do a good job – you must strive to do good and leave the institution stronger than you found it. Every opportunity to serve is temporary, so take full advantage of every role. Push for bold policies, uplift voices often ignored, and challenge systems that reinforce inequality. Whether in the White House, City Hall, or City Council, my focus has been to advance justice, build community power, and ensure that institutions work for the people they are meant to serve.

Ryan Serhant is the founder and CEO of SERHANT., a multidimensional real estate brokerage that sits at the intersection of media, entertainment, education, and technology, and is also an innovator, entrepreneur, producer, author, podcast host, public speaker, educator, and content creator. Over his career, Ryan has closed nearly $10B in sales and represented clients in record-breaking deals in New York and South Florida, including the sale of the most expensive home ever sold in the state.