I always encourage people to get involved and lead, not just sit back. Share information, add value, and change the dynamic in the room.

This business isn't zero-sum, there's more than enough opportunity out there. When you operate with an abundance mindset, everyone wins.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Over the past 40 years, I've seen this business evolve in ways no one could have predicted.

What's clear to me now is that AI is going to be one of the biggest shifts yet. The key isn't chasing specific tools, it's understanding how the technology works and applying it early.

The people who adapt first will have a real advantage.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Here's a fun conversation from a few years ago with my good friend, Michael Stoler.

There's real opportunity in the land market, especially in New York. If you look back over the past 40 years, Manhattan land values have consistently hit new peaks over time.

For investors who understand the cycle, the upside can be significant.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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What an incredible game.

The Knicks were down 29 points and somehow found a way to come back and win on OG Anunoby's unforgettable tip-in at the buzzer. As I watched the game, I couldn't help but think about how closely sports mirrors business and commercial real estate.

There is no 29-point play in basketball. You don't erase a deficit like that with one big move. You chip away one possession at a time. One defensive stop. One free throw. One rebound.

Success in business works the same way.

You'll often hear me talk about the Stonecutter's Creed. The stonecutter strikes the rock 99 times and nothing appears to happen. Then on the 100th blow, the rock splits in half. But it wasn't the 100th strike that did it. It was all 100 strikes working together.

The biggest accomplishments in life are rarely the result of one massive action. They come from consistently doing the little things right, over and over again.

Make the calls.
Send the emails.
Attend the meetings.
Follow up.
Stay disciplined.

That's how championships are won. That's how careers are built. That's how great businesses are created.

Congratulations to the Knicks on a historic comeback. The lesson extends far beyond basketball.

#CommercialRealEstate #SalesSuccess #Motivation #NYCRealEstate #Knicks #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #StonecuttersCreed

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From the outside, brokerage looks simple, it's just sales. But the reality is, it's a tough business that requires consistency, resilience, and staying power.

The ones who achieve lasting success are the ones who embrace that challenge and keep showing up.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Funny how careers can begin with one unexpected decision.

When I was attending Wharton in the early 1980s, I thought I was going to be an investment banker on Wall Street. Like many of my classmates, that seemed like the obvious path.

Then, during spring break, I walked into a Coldwell Banker office to drop off a resume. The funny thing is, I thought it was a bank.

It wasn't.

It was a commercial real estate office.

I ended up getting a summer job there and immediately fell in love with the business. I loved looking at buildings, talking to people, learning about neighborhoods, and understanding what made properties valuable.

I returned the next two summers and, by the time I graduated, my plans had completely changed.

Looking back, that accidental visit to a Coldwell Banker office turned out to be one of the most important moments of my career.

Sometimes the opportunities that shape our lives are the ones we never planned for.

#CommercialRealEstate #NYCRealEstate #RealEstateCareers

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AUCTION OPPORTUNITY | 150 West 85th Street, Upper West Side NYC | School Building For Sale Through Bankruptcy Court Auction

A rare opportunity to acquire a 38,838-square-foot school building on Manhattan's prestigious Upper West Side. Located at 150 West 85th Street, this unique property is being offered through a bankruptcy court auction process following the execution of a stalking horse contract.

The minimum qualified bid is $20,740,000, and interested parties must submit bids by June 15 and provide a 10% deposit to qualify for the auction.

This asset presents an exceptional opportunity for educational users, institutional buyers, investors, and parties seeking potential redevelopment or conversion opportunities, subject to zoning and regulatory approvals.

Property Highlights:

• Address: 150 West 85th Street, New York, NY
• Neighborhood: Upper West Side, Manhattan
• Building Size: 38,838 Square Feet
• Asset Type: School / Institutional Building
• Sale Process: Bankruptcy Court Auction
• Stalking Horse Contract Executed
• Minimum Qualified Bid: $20,740,000
• Bid Deadline: June 15 at Noon
• Qualified Bidder Deposit: 10%

Why This Property Matters

Opportunities to acquire large institutional buildings on the Upper West Side are exceptionally rare. The property occupies a premier location in one of Manhattan's most sought-after neighborhoods and offers buyers the ability to acquire a substantial asset through a competitive auction process.

Bob Knakal and the BKREA team previously sold this property approximately ten years ago and are now representing the asset once again as it returns to the marketplace.

Interested buyers can obtain due diligence materials, auction procedures, and property tour information by contacting Bob Knakal or Ana Barrie.

Contact bk@BKREA.com for Additional Information and Property Tours.

#BobKnakal #BKREA #NYCRealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #UpperWestSide #SchoolBuildingForSale #RealEstateAuction #BankruptcyAuction #InvestmentProperty #NewYorkRealEstate #CommercialProperty #InstitutionalRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #ManhattanRealEstate #PropertyAuction

Connect with Bob:

🔔 Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/bobknakalnyc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobknakal/
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#nycrealestate #investmentsalesnyc #capitalmarkets #bobknakal

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I've always believed in the power of hard mail. Even if someone throws it out, they've seen your name, and that repetition matters.

Over time, you stay top of mind, and when the moment comes to sell, they remember you. In a world flooded with emails, sometimes going back to basics makes the biggest impact.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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If you want your prospecting calls to be productive, you need to be prepared. Know your talking points, market updates, recent deals, and anything relevant to your client. But most importantly, keep the conversations going.

Consistency in communication is what drives results.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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One of the things I've learned over the years is that the expectations you place on yourself often determine how far you'll go.

In my conversation with Mary Ann Tighe at BKREA, she shared a story from her freshman year that stayed with me. She learned that the top five students in her class would receive free tuition for the following semester. When grades were released, she finished sixth.

What bothered her wasn't missing by one spot.

It was knowing she could have done more.

That experience became a turning point. From then on, she made a conscious decision not to let her own expectations limit what she was capable of achieving.

We spoke about how competition became a source of motivation throughout her career and why the most successful people are often the ones who push themselves harder than anyone else ever could.

Great conversation with one of the true icons of commercial real estate. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/3wCAczU83gg


#CommercialRealEstate #Leadership #NYCRealEstate

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Persistence matters.

The first exclusive listing Paul Massey and I ever secured was a small commercial townhouse on East 55th Street in Manhattan. At the time, we had never sold a building, and the owner kept asking us a very reasonable question: why should he trust two young brokers with no track record?

We didn't have a great answer other than our work ethic.

So we kept showing up. We studied the market, prepared relentlessly, and met with him again and again. Eventually, he gave us the assignment.

Looking back, I don't think he hired us because of our experience. We had none. I think he hired us because he saw how committed we were and how hard we were willing to work.

Over the years, I've learned that many opportunities are earned this way. Before people trust your expertise, they often need to see your persistence.

Everyone has a first client, a first listing, and a first opportunity.

The people who stay with it long enough are usually the ones who eventually get their chance.

#CommercialRealEstate #InvestmentSales #Brokerage

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Even in challenging markets, there's always opportunity.

I'm seeing real potential in retail and multifamily right now, sectors that continue to adapt and evolve. The key is knowing where to look and staying ahead of the shifts.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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In this business, tough markets are part of the journey.

What's always mattered most to me is perseverance and believing through the downturns. If you stay consistent and keep pushing forward, you come out stronger on the other side.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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What was 42nd Street really like before Times Square transformed into what it is today?

In this episode, MaryAnne Gilmartin shares the incredible behind-the-scenes story of rebuilding 42nd Street, bringing Disney into Times Square, moving an entire theater down the street, and winning one of New York City’s biggest development opportunities through preparation, creativity, and “weaponizing competency.”

– How Disney helped spark the transformation of 42nd Street
– Why Times Square was considered dangerous in the 1990s
– The strategy behind relocating a historic theater through Midtown
– How preparation and creativity helped win the New York Times deal
– Why every person in a presentation should have a clear role
– The importance of standing out in highly competitive industries
– How being underestimated became a major advantage
– The career philosophy MaryAnne calls “weaponizing competency”


▶️ Whether you're in real estate, business, leadership, or entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, creativity, and competing against bigger players

Connect with Bob:

🔔 Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/bobknakalnyc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobknakal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobKnakalNYC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BobKnakalNYC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BobKnakal

#nycrealestate #investmentsalesnyc #capitalmarkets #bobknakal

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"You have to stay addicted to hope." – @maryannegilmartin, Founder mag_partners

One thing I've learned after decades in New York real estate is that persistence isn't just optional, it's required.

In Episode 9 of The Bob Knakal Show, MaryAnne shared an observation that really resonated with me.

After working on major projects in places like Baltimore and Miami, she talked about how different it feels when public officials view development as something that helps move a city forward.

Then she said something that perfectly captures what it takes to build in New York:

"You have to stay addicted to hope."

Think about that.

New York is one of the toughest places in the world to get anything built. Projects take years. Sometimes decades. There are obstacles at every turn.

Yet the people who succeed here keep showing up. They keep solving problems. They keep believing that eventually someone will say yes.

That's exactly what MaryAnne has done throughout her remarkable career, from the New York Times Building to Atlantic Yards to the projects she's developing today through MAG Partners.

This conversation is full of lessons about leadership, resilience, and what it takes to create lasting impact in New York City.

Watch the full Episode 9 here: https://youtu.be/3ORD_4WszxE

#TheBobKnakalShow #NYCRealEstate

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I've never relied on just one tool or piece of software.

The real advantage comes from experience, market knowledge, and a strong team that knows how to use technology effectively. Tools evolve, but fundamentals and expertise are what truly drive results.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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One of the things I've learned over the years in commercial real estate is that big projects attract big opinions.

And sometimes the loudest voices are not necessarily the majority voices.

In Episode 9 of The Bob Knakal Show, MaryAnne Gilmartin talked about the psychological side of leading Atlantic Yards, one of the most complex and controversial development projects in New York history.

What struck me was her perspective on conviction.

She talked about having the data. She talked about having support. But she also talked about how technology and media can make it difficult to separate perception from reality.

Her point was simple.

If you're building something meaningful, you better believe in what you're doing.

Because leadership gets tested when there's pressure, criticism, and uncertainty.

MaryAnne shares lessons from a career spent building some of New York City's most important projects, and there is a lot in this conversation that applies far beyond real estate.

Watch the full Episode 9 here: https://youtu.be/3ORD_4WszxE

Once again, thanks to Crexi for sponsoring The Bob Knakal Show. Couldn't do it without you, my friends!

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How do you go from a young urban fellow to one of the most influential real estate developers in New York City?

In this episode of The Bob Knakal Show, MaryAnne Gilmartin shares her incredible journey through public service, real estate development, leadership, and some of New York City’s most transformative projects. From MetroTech and the New York Times Building to Atlantic Yards and MAG Partners, this conversation dives into resilience, ambition, mentorship, and what it really takes to succeed in one of the toughest industries in the world.


– Why being underestimated became one of her biggest strengths
– The lessons she learned from public service and economic development
– How Brooklyn became a major business district before anyone believed in it
– What it was like leading the controversial Atlantic Yards project
– Why relationships and mentorship matter in real estate
– The importance of resilience, preparation, and “weaponizing competency”
– How MAG Partners was built around purpose-driven development
– Why New York City remains one of the hardest—and most rewarding—places to build

🔔 Subscribe & hit the bell to get notified when new episodes drop

▶️ Whether you're a young broker, developer, entrepreneur, or simply fascinated by New York City real estate, this episode is packed with wisdom, leadership lessons, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the industry’s top builders

Connect with Bob:

🔔 Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/bobknakalnyc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobknakal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobKnakalNYC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BobKnakalNYC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BobKnakal

#nycrealestate #investmentsalesnyc #capitalmarkets #bobknakal

7 4

Our map room has always been something special, reserved for clients we know and trust.

It's a place where real insights and real conversations happen. But I do see a future where we open that access up a bit more.

The value is too great not to share.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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In today's business world, information alone is no longer enough.

The real competitive advantage comes from proprietary information.

In this video, Bob Knakal explains why unique market intelligence, specialized knowledge, and relationship-driven data create opportunities that others simply cannot see.

After competing against some of the largest firms in the world for a major assignment, one lesson became clear:

The firms with the most resources do not always win.

The firms with the best information often do.

You'll learn:

• Why proprietary information creates a competitive edge
• How better market intelligence improves decision-making
• Why specialization matters in commercial real estate
• The role relationships play in creating unique opportunities
• How information can drive billion-dollar outcomes

Whether you are a commercial real estate investor, broker, entrepreneur, developer, or business owner, understanding how information creates leverage can completely change the way you approach your business.

We are not just in the real estate business.

We are in the information business.

Subscribe for more insights on commercial real estate, investment strategy, brokerage, negotiation, and maximizing value.

#BobKnakal #CommercialRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #NYCRealEstate #CapitalMarkets #RealEstateBroker #InvestmentSales #BusinessStrategy #MarketIntelligence #Entrepreneurship

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At Massey Knakal, we focused on building more than just a team, we built a culture.

We hired people with different backgrounds and skill sets, because diversity made us stronger.

But just as important was creating an environment where everyone felt connected and supported. That sense of camaraderie is what drove our success.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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