REBNY Names 2027 Annual Honorees Across NYC Real Estate

• 301 Park Avenue, New York, NY: The Real Estate Board of New York will hold its 131st REBNY Annual at the Waldorf Astoria New York on January 14, 2027, recognizing seven leaders from real estate, government and business.
• Gary Barnett, Lisa Silverstein and James Nelson are among this year's honorees, receiving awards for lifetime leadership, humanitarian service and brokerage excellence.
• The lineup also includes Jessica Tisch, David Arena, Marisa Gadlin and Caroline Merck, highlighting leadership across public service, corporate real estate, management and investment sales.

What The 2027 REBNY Annual Will Recognize

The Real Estate Board of New York's 131st Annual will bring together major players from New York real estate, government, labor and civic organizations for one of the industry's highest-profile recognition events. REBNY describes the Annual as its signature event for celebrating leadership and contributions to the city. The 2027 ceremony will take place at the newly reopened Waldorf Astoria New York, continuing REBNY's recent return to the Midtown landmark. The 2026 Annual also drew more than 1,100 leaders from real estate, government, economic development and civic organizations.

What Gary Barnett And Lisa Silverstein Are Receiving

Gary Barnett, founder and chairman of Extell Development Company, will receive the Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate Award for his career and contributions to New York's real estate industry. Lisa Silverstein, CEO of Silverstein Properties, will receive the Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award for community service. Both awards recognize long-term influence extending beyond individual transactions and projects.

What The Other Honorees Represent

Jessica Tisch, New York City's police commissioner, will receive the John E. Zuccotti Public Service Award, while David Arena, head of Global Corporate Real Estate at JPMorgan Chase, will receive the Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award. James Nelson, principal and head of U.S. Investment Sales at Avison Young, will receive the Louis Smadbeck Memorial Broker Recognition Award. Nelson previously received REBNY's Young Real Estate Professional of the Year award in 2023. Marisa Gadlin, EVP, chief administrative officer and head of Core Holdings at Rockefeller Group, will receive the George M. Brooker Management Executive of the Year Award. Caroline Merck, senior vice president at CBRE, will receive the Young Real Estate Professional of the Year Award.

What The Honorees Mean For NYC Real Estate

The 2027 lineup reflects the breadth of New York's real estate ecosystem, from developers and institutional investors to brokers, corporate real estate executives and public officials. For an industry navigating housing constraints, office repositioning, capital markets shifts and changing city policies, the awards also spotlight the leaders influencing how New York's built environment evolves.

What Comes Next For The REBNY Annual

The 131st REBNY Annual is scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 2027, at the Waldorf Astoria New York. The event will feature networking, a formal dinner and the awards ceremony recognizing this year's honorees.