Real Estate Execs Celebrate Office Leasing Comeback at Annual REBNY Gala

 By: Benyamin Davidsons

The annual Real Estate Board of New York’s gala took place on Thursday night, January 16th.  The 129th annual event was a success, with over 1,000 real estate power players there to celebrate a robust 2024. The year ended with a strong leasing surge.  As reported by the NY Post, REBNY’s office-visitation tally posted a post-pandemic record in December.  Using mobile location data at 350 Manhattan locations, Placer.ai recorded that office-building visitations in December hit 72% of 2019 levels, or 5 percentage points higher than the previous record set in June 2024.

The REBNY’s meet-greet-and-eat party took place at the skyline-wrapped setting of the Glasshouse event space at 12th Avenue and West 47th Street. The Glasshouse, with its panoramic views of Manhattan and the Hudson River was opened in 2021. Before 2022, the event had been held at the Hilton ballroom, which offered a lot less space.    New York elected officials who attended the gala this year, included Mayor Eric Adams who came for cocktails, and Gov. Kathy Hochul who spoke before the sit-down dinner.

Also present were Rep. Ritchie Torres of the Bronx, a Democrat who is eyeing a run for governor, Congressmen Gregory Meeks, Adriano Espaillat, and Tim Kennedy, as well as NY Attorney General Letitia James.  Real estate dignitaries included CBRE executive managing editor Thomas  Lloyd, Rudin co-executive chairman Bill Rudin, Durst Organization chairman Douglas Durst, and Vornado Realty Trust president Michael Franco.   “This marks a significant occasion as New York City’s private and public sector leaders gathered to celebrate our shared accomplishments and address the challenges facing our region’s economy and quality of life in 2025,” said James Whelan, President of REBNY.

“We must keep the City’s momentum moving forward, and this annual gathering presents an excellent opportunity to unite important stakeholders in this endeavor,” said Jed Walentas, chairman of REBNY, who called it an ‘iconic event’.  Per AM NY, topics discussed at the event included the Mayor’s City of Yes initiatives to allow for rezoning to create more housing, particularly affordable housing.  “Moving forward on key commitments on the ‘City of Yes’ will make a huge difference for New Yorkers,” Whelan said. “REBNY thanks the mayor and his team for laying out a budget that addresses issues affecting quality of life, affordability, safety, and livability.”

Individual tickets to the gala cost $2500, and a table was priced at $25,000, with further sponsorship opportunities available.  The event is branded as “New York City real estate’s signature networking event – bringing together top owners, developers, brokers, and major public officials to connect, exchange insights, and celebrate the invaluable contributions we collectively make to the city we love,” per REBNY’s website.

The event honorees this year included RXR chairman Scott Rechler, who received the Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award; Fried Frank real estate chairman Jonathan L Mechanic who received the Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership Award; and Tishman Speyer’s senior managing director of global external relations Michelle A. Adams who was given the Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award.

“The event was awesome,” Mechanic said. “I’ve been coming for 40 years and this was one of the best. Very upbeat mood. The speeches were recorded in video screens and you could actually hear them.”