Power Players in Residential Real Estate

Aaron Sirulnick is a fourth-generation affordable housing provider in New York City. For over 100 years, the Sirulnick family has strongly believed in a balanced housing market that allows property owners to provide safe and adequate housing to the city’s millions of tenants. Since 2013, Aaron has proudly served as the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Rent Stabilization Association.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
After I graduated college, I was eager to join my family’s business and continue the generational legacy that my great-grandfather started in 1909. I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather do than work with my father and grandfather, and further their efforts to own and manage NYC housing.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
It’s funny because growing up, I never knew there was anything below Canal Street – now that entire area is thriving, energized, and the place to be. Both of my kids found that out a lot quicker than I did!

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
We were part of a ground-up development in Astoria that was really a departure from what I was used to – opening up opportunities and daily adventures that had real options and solutions. When the project was complete, and people started to move in, it was thrilling to see it all come together.

Howard Slatkin brings to CHPC over two decades of experience at the intersection of housing and planning. He previously served as deputy executive director for Strategic Planning at the New York City Department of City Planning, where he oversaw planning and policy development with a focus on housing supply and affordability, growth, and sustainability. Howard has led planning initiatives that have produced tens of thousands of housing units, zoning changes to promote green buildings, and more.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
I grew up in the suburbs, in the shadow of the city, but it wasn’t until I moved here after college that I became fascinated by the intricacies of planning and the controlled chaos that gives the city life. Planning touches everything – from housing, to parks, to work, and nightlife – and shapes every New Yorker’s life in ways both clear and obscure. Since that fascination dawned on me, it hasn’t dimmed through my whole career.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
In my line of work, we can’t play favorites when it comes to neighborhoods! But I will always have a particular attachment to Greenpoint and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where I spent so much of my time on the ground early in my career. 

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
While at City Planning, I was focused on reforms that can enable the city to meet the housing needs created by historic population and job growth. It’s invigorating to see the attention these issues are receiving today, between the governor’s Housing Compact and the mayor’s City of Yes initiatives. I’m excited to build on CHPC’s own Onward and Upward report and help shape productive City-State cooperation to tackle our housing crisis.

During Jamie Smarr’s public service career, he has helped create more than 4,000 units of affordable housing, 3,000 public school seats, and one million square feet of new residential, office and retail space. Prior to being with the NYC Housing Partnership, he also was an executive for the nonprofit real estate developer NHP Foundation. He also served as executive director of the NYC Educational Construction Fund, and worked at HPD for many years.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
My first job in the 1990s, after Harvard graduate school, was Director of Tax and Zoning Incentives at NYC Housing Preservation and Development. I’ve been involved in either housing or school construction projects ever since then. It’s good to have a career where you can see your physical accomplishments around for a very long time. One derives a sense of pride from seeing New Yorkers use buildings that you worked to help create.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Harlem. I’ve been a resident since 1999. Harlem is the best part of Manhattan because of its strong artistic and cultural roots, as well as its residential character. And one can get to midtown, or all the way downtown, to either of the business districts in less than 30 minutes on the express trains.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
I worked with a church located in Crown Heights that decided to make its land available for development of affordable housing. The project is truly a “win win” for New Yorkers because it will create a new space for the church, which has been a great cultural resource to Crown Heights for decades, and almost 200 units of permanently affordable housing for New Yorkers.  I hope more religious organizations decide to build affordable housing.

Amir Sobhraj is co-managing partner at Zara Realty Holding Corp., a large Queens-based owner-operator of multifamily assets. He graduated from the Stern School of Business at NYU and earned a Master’s degree in real estate science from the Schack Institute of Real Estate at NYU, specializing in real estate finance and development. He serves on the board of the historic King Manor Museum, is involved in numerous charitable initiatives, and is married with one child.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
Family. Tradition. Passion. Our family overcame significant odds to achieve the American Dream, migrating from Guyana to Queens, working strategically to build up a real estate business to pass down to the next generation. It is our honor to continue the family legacy, applying hard earned lessons in creating quality, safe housing to strengthen the middle class. Our passion is to uplift communities, transforming lives through philanthropy and sustainable, clean energy practices that improve the environment.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Jamaica, Queens. Whether you’re looking for great food, shopping, culture, or outdoor activities, Jamaica is sure to deliver. From the massive Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to the sprawling Rufus King Park – home to King Manor Museum that celebrates the life and legacy of one of America’s founding fathers, Rufus King – the conveniently located neighborhood provides a wide range of amenities and attractions that make it a great place to live, work, or visit.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
Our new green building overlooking Rufus King Park, a 223-unit 9 story structure will beat New York City’s 2030 climate goals by 40%! This is accomplished by zip-system insulation buoyed by predictive heating and cooling systems that conserves energy. Residents will not only save on utilities but improve the environment through access to electric charging stations for cars and 69 kilowatts of solar energy, the equivalent of taking 282 combustion-engine cars off the road.

Vince Soriero, business development manager & corporate sales lead at PropertyShark, has extensive product knowledge. His core focus is on corporate sales, client relations and networking events. With a diverse background in real estate sales, investment properties, development and property management, Vince is uniquely qualified to understand the needs of PropertyShark’s many and various clients.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
My diverse background and vast experience in real estate sales, investment properties, development and property management led me to become business development manager at PropertyShark.com.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Midtown Manhattan East.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
The user experience and new interface implemented into the PropertyShark site.

Tony Subraj is co-managing partner at Zara Realty Holding Corp., overseeing the company’s residential apartment portfolio, as well the company’s expansion into acquiring new properties. Tony holds a Masters of Science in Real Estate Science from New York University, in addition to a M.B.A. in Business Computers with a minor in Economics and a B.A. in Finance, both from Hofstra University. He credits all of business savvy to his late father, George Subraj’s, teaching and hopes to honor his father’s memory by continuing the philanthropic work he began.

Mauricio Umansky is the founder and CEO of The Agency. Mauricio has achieved over $4 billion in real estate sales and holds the distinction of selling the most homes in the country priced above $20M. He has represented some of the world’s most noteworthy properties, including the Playboy Mansion, Walt Disney Estate, and residences owned by Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Prince.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
My wife Kyle Richards suggested we get our real estate licenses together as a weekly date night years ago. I’ve always loved design and architecture and sales has always been a true strength of mine, so it made perfect sense. We signed up for a class at Santa Monica College, and we passed our tests and got our licenses. If not for Kyle’s constant reassurance and support, The Agency would not be here today.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
One of my favorite areas of NYC is Union Square, which is also where our corporate NYC headquarters (The Agency New York) is located. Union Square is centrally located and full of charm and top restaurants, entertainment, a beautiful park, and more. For over a century Union Square has been a gathering place for commerce, entertainment, dining, events, and recreation, and was an obvious choice when deciding on where our NYC headquarters would be.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
Launching The Agency’s own Netflix show, Buying Beverly Hills, was an experience I will never forget. The experience of being able to film with my two daughters, Alexia and Farrah, and showcase to the world our passion for what we do every single day of our lives was extraordinarily fun. This show provides a look inside the deals and listings of our agents, both newer and experienced, and we hope everyone learned something while watching.

Kazimir Vilenchik, New York State licensed professional engineer, joined the New York City Department of Buildings in October 2008 as a Deputy Borough Commissioner in the Staten Island office. He also served in the Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn borough offices before becoming Borough Commissioner of Brooklyn in 2018. Acting Commissioner Vilenchik has over 20 years of experience in the private sector. His previous roles include work as an inspector, structural Engineer, and project manager.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
I attended university for engineering in Belarus, and worked in the private sector for 20 years as an engineer before I came to the Department of Buildings. Working on the regulatory side of the real estate industry has afforded me the opportunity to be involved with thousands of interesting projects across the city.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
My favorite neighborhood in New York City is DUMBO. I was Borough Commissioner at the Department of Buildings in Brooklyn for several years, and have long admired the adaptive reuse of older buildings in the historic district, along with the flurry of new development projects in the neighborhood. To me, DUMBO shows how the developers can incorporate both the old and the new to create an exciting and dynamic neighborhood.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
It is difficult to pick just one. But it is always enjoyable to be involved in large tower projects that are filed with the department. You get to see a lot of individual pieces come together, that culminates in a building that truly changes the skyline of New York City. Just last year we launched the Major Projects Development Program at DOB, which is helping developers coordinate all of the moving pieces and streamlining tower development.

Jed Walentas is one of New York’s most innovative developers of vibrant, mixed-use communities. Under Jed’s leadership, Two Trees has grown to oversee more than four million square feet of commercial and residential real estate. Key projects include the Domino Sugar Factory redevelopment, Domino Park, 300 Ashland, and The Wythe Hotel. Jed also launched The David Prize, which gives $1 million annually to local unrecognized entrepreneurs with big ideas to improve New York City.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
I find it rewarding to create new, exciting urban developments that the public can enjoy. I’ve had an interest in real estate development since I was a young kid, watching my father David Walentas work on redeveloping the DUMBO neighborhood into what it is today.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Williamsburg has been a major focus. Over the last decade, we’ve been redeveloping the 11-acre former Domino Sugar Factory site from a neglected industrial waterfront into a lively multi-use community, with open space, local retail, affordable housing, elevated architecture, and sustainable design.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
One South First and 325 Kent were the first completed residential buildings in Williamsburg, bringing a lively energy to the neighborhood. Now, we’re focused on building even more housing with the rest of the Domino buildings and eventually River Ring next door. River Ring will deliver more housing and affordable apartments, and another expansive waterfront park. We’re excited to transform this previously underutilized space that will deliver more housing and experiences for New Yorkers.

Cea Weaver is the coordinator of Housing Justice for All, a statewide coalition of over 80 grassroots organizations that represent tenants and homeless New Yorkers in their fight for housing policy at the State level. Cea successfully coordinated campaigns to strengthen rent control and win eviction moratoria and other COVID-era housing protections for vulnerable renters and homeless New Yorkers.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
Tenant organizing! I am motivated to correct the power imbalance between tenants and landlords. In my role, I am working alongside tenants and homeless New Yorkers to totally transform the housing system.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Crown Heights.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
In October 2022, HJ4A took 50 tenants, homeless New Yorkers, legislators, and policy allies to Vienna, Austria to learn about their world-class social housing system. It was tremendously rewarding to experience a place that has a robust social safety net, a commitment to housing as a human right, and a functional public housing system that nearly everyone is eligible for.