By Commercial Observer
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Marty Burger
CEO, Silverstein Properties
Which commercial lease was your biggest win this year? At the World Trade Center, we signed some of the most exciting and best-known companies in the city: Uber, Casper, Zola, Moët Hennessy. We are seeing a lot of very creative companies move to our buildings in Lower Manhattan, including Diageo and Kelley Drye to 3 WTC and Macmillan to 120 Broadway.
Do you think we’re heading into a downturn? Why or why not? I don’t think we’re heading into a downturn because I believe interest rates will stay low. I see positive net absorption of office space, I see positive net absorption of jobs in New York City, and we see apartment occupancy up, and rents up. That does not signal to me a downturn.
What do you think the future looks like for WeWork and other coworking operators if the economy slows down? I think coworking is here to stay. More times than not, when we give tours to prospective tenants, they ask if there’s coworking in the building. It’s an amenity for them. They don’t have to commit to permanent space. If it’s a law firm that has a big case, they need to bring in lawyers from out of town — they can put them in Silver Suites, our coworking space. So, coworking is here to stay.
Is New York City losing its shine? Are property investors starting to look elsewhere? I think New York is still stellar from a financial perspective, despite its politics. When there’s trouble around the world, investors are still going to see the United States as a safe haven. And those dollars will often come to New York and San Francisco before they go to other cities.
How have you adjusted your business plan since the new rent laws were passed? We’re still trying to figure it out.
Do the new rent laws present any opportunities for savvy owners? Based on the rent law regulations that were put in place, I don’t think there are new opportunities for any of us.
Is REBNY in need of a revamp? What needs to happen? REBNY is in good hands with James Whelan. And I think the real estate industry is always remaking itself. We’re always evolving.
What’s the biggest headache in your job that no one knows about? Trying to fit 48 hours of activity into 24.
What’s more important: having the best lawyer or having the best accountant? Best lawyer.
Most underrated neighborhood in the city? Bushwick.
If you could pick the Republican and Democratic nominees for President, who would they be? I think it’s going to be Trump and Biden.
LIGHTNING ROUND:
Favorite book? Right now, I’m reading Bob Iger’s “Ride of a Lifetime”
Favorite restaurant? Downtown, Nobu and CUT. On the Upper East Side, Elio’s and The Mark.
Favorite vacation spot? Capri in the summer. Vail in winter.
Favorite TV show? “Succession” (which is filmed at the World Trade Center)
Favorite movie? “Avengers: End Game”
Favorite sport? Skiing
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