In this episode of the Real Estate Forum, host Raphael Sidelsky sits down with Jonah Sonnenborn, Head of Real Estate at Access Industries, to discuss his journey from investment banking to leading a global real estate portfolio. Jonah shares Access Industries’ strategic approach to building and managing iconic properties worldwide, highlighting landmark projects such as Faena District, One High Line, The Ocean Club, and Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat.

The conversation covers the role of placemaking in creating lasting value, the balance between trophy assets and recurring platform plays, and the importance of long-term vision, hands-on leadership, and strategic partnerships in shaping the future of global real estate investing.

Photography Credit: Jonah Sonnenborn photo by Sasha Maslov.
Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction to the Real Estate Forum
(00:00:35) Meet Jonah Sonnenborn
(00:02:16) From Investment Banking to Real Estate
(00:07:59) Building Access Industries’ Real Estate Platform
(00:08:51) Case Studies: Faena District and One High Line
(00:13:29) The Ocean Club and Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat
(00:16:45) Balancing Trophy Assets and Platform Plays
(00:19:04) Navigating Real Estate Challenges
(00:20:06) The Role of Placemaking
(00:20:56) Team Building and Strategic Partnerships

In this episode of the Real Estate Forum, host Raphael Sidelsky sits down with Ron Dickerman, the founder and President of Madison International Realty, to discuss how he pioneered and scaled liquidity solutions in an asset class long considered illiquid. Ron shares Madison's journey from a niche strategy to a global institutional platform—highlighting key investments in iconic properties, the firm's innovative approach to providing liquidity for real estate investors, and its expansion across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

The conversation explores the intersection of real estate and technology, the evolution of global markets, and the growing importance of partnerships in shaping the future of real estate as a dynamic, global, and investable asset class.

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(00:00:00) Introduction and Guest Introduction - Meet Ron Dickerman, founder of Madison International Realty, and learn about his early influences in real estate.

(00:03:00) Early Exposure to Real Estate - Ron shares how his father's career in real estate shaped his own path.

(00:09:00) Founding of Madison International Realty - Discover the origins of Madison and its focus on liquidity solutions.

(00:15:00) Strategic Investments and Iconic Buildings - Explore Madison's investments in landmark properties like the Seagram Building.

(00:21:00) Global Expansion and Market Trends- Ron discusses Madison's global reach and the evolving real estate market.

(00:27:00) Intersection of Real Estate and Technology - Insights into how technology is transforming real estate strategies.

(00:33:00) Partnerships and Growth Capital - The role of partnerships in Madison's growth and investment strategies.

(00:39:00) Future Vision and Conclusion - Ron's vision for the future of real estate and Madison's ongoing evolution.

In this episode of The Real Estate Forum, host Raphael Sidelsky sits down with Melissa Roman Burch, Chief Operating Officer of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), to discuss her leadership in shaping New York City’s real estate and economic future. Melissa shares insights into how public-private partnerships are driving transformative projects such as the redevelopment of Willets Point and the Brooklyn Marine Terminal. She also delves into the city’s housing strategy, including zoning reforms, tax incentives, and efforts to convert underutilized office spaces into residential units. Throughout the conversation, Melissa emphasizes the city’s commitment to leveraging its real estate assets to promote affordable housing, economic recovery, and long-term resilience across all five boroughs.

Here's the text with each topic on a separate line:

(00:00:00) Introduction and Melissa Burch's Background

(00:05:00) Public-Private Partnerships and Economic Recovery

(00:10:00) Strategic Investments in Key Sectors

(00:15:00) Housing Initiatives and Zoning Reforms

(00:20:00) Tax Incentives and Real Estate Development

(00:25:00) Innovation and Diversified Economy

(00:30:00) Personal Philosophy and Growth Mindset