Real Estate Board of New York’s Holiday Luncheon

The holiday luncheon hosted by the Real Estate Board of New York at the Metropolitan Club wrapped up a lively week for the real estate sector. Just nights earlier, Fried Frank held a sold-out holiday banquet at Cipriani 42nd Street, adding to the festive spirit.

The mood at the luncheon was upbeat. With a robust office market and decreasing vacancy rates, there’s not much new product on the horizon, which seems to bode well for the industry.

Mark Holliday, CEO and Chairman of SL Green, took the stage alongside renowned chef Daniel Boulud. Following a warm welcome from REBNY Chairman Jim Whelan, Holliday expressed his appreciation for outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, labeling him the city’s “cheerleader” and commending his efforts in rezoning and housing development.

When asked about the future of the office market, Holliday didn’t indicate any immediate concerns. He noted that plans for 346 Madison Avenue, a site recently acquired by SL Green, would be unveiled early next year. He highlighted the importance of unique amenities in new office buildings, including the Summit’s “immersive event” space atop One Vanderbilt, which features culinary offerings by Boulud. “It was a great job,” he remarked, pointing out that many modern towers are incorporating such features.

Holliday also expressed a readiness to collaborate with incoming Mayor Zoran Mamdani, suggesting that the commercial market has thrived under varied political administrations in the past.

His remarks foreshadowed comments he would make during SL Green’s investor conference call the following day, where he stated, “My initial expectation, based on the early key appointments, was that we would be able to work with this new administration.” Meanwhile, Boulud celebrated his partnership with SL Green, pointing out that their restaurants—Le Pavillon, Joji at One Vanderbilt, and La Tete D’or at One Madison—are among the top dining spots in the city.

“Everywhere you travel, people talk about them,” Boulud commented, adding that he plans to expand his Dinex group to other cities, including a return to London in 2026.

The luncheon attracted over 200 attendees, including prominent developers and landowners like Jeff Gural and Jonathan Resnick. Notable figures such as traders Paul Massey, Mitti Liebersohn, David Goldstein, and Joseph Aquino were also present, with Aquino promoting his book “Memoirs of a Watch Salesman.”

Jonathan Mechanic, chairman of Fried Frank Real Estate, attended as well, fresh off his firm’s holiday party two nights before. The event brought together major players in the New York real estate scene, including Bill Rudin, Abby Rosen, and over 1,000 guests who enjoyed a well-received display of cold shrimp.