Shaping the NYC Skyline

In this episode, we sit down with Wilson Parry, CEO and Co-Founder of PropertyScout , the groundbreaking platform revolutionizing how New York City real estate professionals analyze zoning, air rights, and development potential. A Williamsburg resident and a true zoning and data enthusiast, Wilson’s unconventional path—from artist to real estate broker to tech entrepreneur—has given him a unique p...

In this episode, we sit down with Douglas Romero, Vice President and Head of Construction Lending at Ponce Bank , to explore the critical role community banks play in shaping New York City’s built environment. A proud first-generation New Yorker, Douglas’s journey from the mailroom to a leadership position in real estate finance is a testament to perseverance, ambition, and the power of community-...

In this episode of Shaping the NYC Skyline , we sit down with Eric Enderlin, President of the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and a driving force behind the city’s affordable housing initiatives. With more than two decades of experience in urban planning, policy, and finance, Eric has played a central role in expanding and preserving affordable housing, from overseeing record-b...

In this episode of Shaping the NYC Skyline , we explore the complexities of construction project management and development in New York City with Matthew Tritt, founder of Greenlight Consulting. With extensive experience in managing ground-up developments, major commercial renovations, and revitalizing stalled projects, Matt provides deep insights into the challenges and strategies that define the...

Skyliners, we’re back with Episode Two of Season Three! This time, we’re sitting down with Lizzy Zevallos, Assistant Vice President of Development at MAG Partners, whose unconventional path from contemporary dance to real estate development is as fascinating as it is inspiring.  Raised by Peruvian parents in New Jersey, Lizzy’s journey is a masterclass in adaptability, blending creativity, ar...

Welcome back, Skyliners! In this episode, we sit down with Toby Snyder, Design Director at FXCollaborative, whose career is a testament to the power of vision, adaptability, and purpose.  From his early days as a cartographer at National Geographic to becoming a leading voice in urban planning and design, Toby has always been drawn to the way places evolve. To him, a city isn’t just an aggreg...

As we wrap up the Season 2 of Shaping the NYC Skyline , we couldn’t have asked for a more dynamic and inspiring guest to send us into the new year: Ryan Serhant. Known worldwide as a luxury real estate powerhouse, media personality and founder of SERHANT. , Ryan has redefined the art of attention in business—and the power of personal branding. In this episode, Ryan reflects on his journey from asp...

About the Hosts David Shamshovich, Brenda Slochowsky, and Camila Almeida are seasoned real estate attorneys at Seiden & Schein, P.C., specializing in New York City’s affordable housing programs, including Inclusionary and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, from initial applications and approvals to final project completion. They also handle HPD initiatives and real estate transactions like buy-se...

Buckle up, Skyliners, for an illuminating episode with Deborah Moelis, AIA, a Principal and founding member of Handel Architects, whose pioneering work is pushing the boundaries of sustainable design in urban environments. Deborah's journey takes us into the intricate world of Passive House design, a standard that dramatically reduces energy consumption by creating airtight, thermally efficient st...

Get ready, Skyliners!  This week, we’re thrilled to bring you an episode spotlighting James Nelson, Principal and Head of Tri-State Investment Sales at Avison Young, WSJ bestselling author of The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing , and host of a podcast by the same name. With over 25 years of experience and more than $5 billion in real estate transactions, James is an unparalleled sourc...

Buckle up, Skyliners, for a fascinating deep dive into the world of title insurance with Zoy Balaskas, Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Counsel at Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company’s New York National Commercial Services. With over 20 years of experience, Zoy takes us through her process of “title forensics”—a meticulous, investigative approach to uncovering and resolving the h...

In this episode, we are thrilled to feature Basha Gerhards, Senior Vice President of Planning at the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). With her deep expertise and unique perspective, Basha sheds light on the intricate and ever-evolving landscape of real estate development in New York City. Drawing on her rich background in urban planning, land use, and zoning, she has successfully bridged the...

In this bonus episode of Shaping the NYC Skyline , we’re once again joined by Jason Hershkowitz, Partner at Seiden & Schein, P.C., to analyze the newly proposed rules from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) for the 485-x and 467-m tax exemption programs.  Jason walks us through the key differences between the proposed rules and those under the now-expired 421-a t...

Get ready, Skyliners, for an eye-opening exploration into the heart of labor and advocacy with Kevin Elkins, Political Director of the New York City District Council of Carpenters (NYCDCC). In this episode, we dive into Kevin’s remarkable journey from running political campaigns to becoming a pivotal voice in the fight for construction workers in NYC.  Kevin takes us behind the scenes of the...

Get ready, Skyliners, for an inspiring episode featuring Andrew Esposito, Founder of Apex Development. Andrew's journey is a remarkable tale of strategic pivots and relentless ambition. His transition from a top law graduate to a trailblazer in real estate development is both inspiring and instructive. Despite his impressive academic achievements, graduating summa cum laude from Fordham University...

Buckle up, Skyliners, for an illuminating episode featuring Professor David Reiss, formerly of Brooklyn Law School and now at Cornell Law School and Cornell Tech. Renowned for his expertise in real estate finance and community development, Professor Reiss has shaped countless legal minds, including our very own David Shamshovich, with his practical approach to complex concepts. This episode offers...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Richie Zav, the Head of Development at Diamond Dev Group. Richie, a self-taught developer from Queens, New York, has made a remarkable journey from real estate broker to a key figure in the development industry. With a business administration degree from Queensborough Community College and advanced studies in real estate development from Baruch College...

Welcome to another compelling episode of “Shaping the NYC Skyline,” where we had the privilege of sitting down with David Schwartz, Co-Founder and Principal of Slate Property Group. David's journey in real estate is nothing short of remarkable, filled with transformative projects that have left a significant mark on New York City's landscape. His impressive portfolio includes transitional housing,...

Get ready, Skyliners, for an engaging episode with our distinguished guest, Jed Resnick, the CEO of Douglaston Development. Jed brings a wealth of experience in real estate development, acquisitions, and finance, positioning him as a pivotal player in New York City’s real estate market. In today’s discussion, we delve into the critical role of asset proximity in the real estate development process...

In this special bonus episode of Shaping the NYC Skyline, we welcome back Jason Hershkowitz, Partner at Seiden & Schein, P.C. and head of the firm’s real estate tax incentives group. Jason's extensive knowledge of New York's complex property tax exemption programs makes his expertise crucial for anyone navigating the city’s evolving real estate landscape.   During this episode, Jason dive...

Dive into another compelling episode of Shaping the NYC Skyline. This time we are joined by Jane Rosenberg, Partner at Seiden & Schein, whose illustrious career is a mosaic of ambition, happenstance, and strategic brilliance in New York's real estate sector. Jane's journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication to making a difference.  From her early aspirations in journalism instill...

Dive into the inspiring journey of Jamie Smarr, the President and CEO of the NYC Housing Partnership, an entity originally established by David Rockefeller and Edward Koch to address the challenges New York City faced with tax-foreclosed properties and returning these properties to their intended use. Jamie Smarr’s career is a testament to his deep commitment to economic development and fostering...

Buckle up, Skyliners, for a riveting episode featuring Margaret Ling, NYC Agency Business Development and Underwriting Counsel for AmTrust Title. S panning three decades, Margaret’s career is a testament to resilience, sharp acumen, and a profound commitment to enriching communities and individuals alike. Margaret's extraordinary journey commenced with clerking for Chief Judge Constance Baker Motl...

In this episode, we sit down with Eli Weiss, Principal of Joy Construction Corp., a key player in New York City's dynamic housing landscape. Eli, a native Brooklynite, shares his insightful journey into the world of real estate, starting with his formative years at the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), where he worked on subsidized affordable housing transactions, witnessing fir...

In this episode, we had the privilege of talking to Kim Darga, Deputy Commissioner for Development at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). With an impressive tenure of over 16 years at HPD, Kim offers an unparalleled insight into the agency's dedicated efforts to combat the affordable housing crisis facing New York City. Our conversation delves into the innov...