IE New York College Explores the Future of New York Real Estate with Industry Leaders

IE New York College convened the New York Redevelopment Forum, bringing together professionals from investment, development, law, and design to examine one of the most significant shifts in New York City’s property market: the conversion of office buildings into residential spaces.

At IENYC’s SoHo campus, the forum explored the commercial, legal, financial, and architectural dimensions of these projects, tracing the redevelopment process from acquisition and deal structuring to design, construction, and delivery.

The discussion featured Joey Chilelli, Partner at Vanbarton Group; Salo Smeke, Co-Founder and Head of Acquisitions at CSC; Patrick Sullivan, Counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer; and Peter Wang, Design Director and Office Developers Leader at Gensler. The session was moderated by Dmitri Shuster, Faculty Chair and Program Director at IENYC, and opened by Francisco Chabran, Dean of Programs and External Relations.

Drawing on expertise across acquisitions, investment, transactional law, and design, the panel examined the financial, regulatory, and technical decisions behind successful redevelopment projects. Speakers also discussed how changing workplace patterns, housing demand, and evolving city policies are driving a new phase of urban redevelopment across New York.

The New York Redevelopment Forum is part of IENYC’s approach to connecting students with the industries and ideas shaping global cities. Through industry events, student-led initiatives, and professional clubs, students engage directly with professionals tackling the challenges redefining the built environment.