Bob Knakal

Reflecting on the Massey Knakal experience, Knakal emphasizes the importance of building a company culture that values each team member’s contribution. The focus on training, from initial success to continuous improvement, and the implementation of a Servant Leadership approach, fostered a sense of responsibility and camaraderie.

In December of 2014, Massey Knakal was sold to Cushman & Wakefield. Mr. Knakal’s pride in what was accomplished at Massey Knakal is summed up in the fact that today in New York City, there are 29 companies, or divisions of companies, involved in investment sales, which are owned by, or run by, folks who learned the business at Massey Knakal.

Mr. Knakal then became the Chairman of NY Investment Sales at C&W and in 2018 joined JLL as the Chairman of NY Investment Sales bringing 53 people with him, all of whom worked together at Massey Knakal.

Mr. Knakal is widely considered to be one of the most prominent thought leaders in the business, having written hundreds of articles and white papers on a variety of topics for a variety of publications and is quoted in the press thousands of times per year. He also makes regular appearances on national television networks to discuss real estate such as Fox, MSNBC and CNBC.

He regularly lectures about real estate at such schools as the Wharton School, NYU, Baruch, Fordham and Columbia.

Mr. Knakal’s legacy extends beyond real estate. Philanthropy is ingrained in his core values, and he is deeply involved in charitable activities, especially those benefiting disadvantaged children. His service includes participation on boards, supporting after-school programs, and volunteering at organizations such as The Prescott Foundation for Children, where he serves as president (1995-present), Ice Hockey in Harlem, where he served as president (1997 – 2012) , Ronald McDonald House, YMCA of New York and Shema Kolainu, a school for autistic children in Brooklyn. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to giving back to the communities in which he lives and works.

Even after selling Massey Knakal for $100 million in 2014, Mr. Knakal shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to sell buildings with the same enthusiasm and vigor that he has demonstrated throughout his storied career. Mr. Knakal’s story is not just about real estate; it’s a testament to leadership, philanthropy, and the enduring impact of a values-driven approach in business and putting other’s interests ahead of his own.

Recently, Bob started BKREA, an investment sales and capital markets brokerage firm in New York City which will blend best-in-class analog data sets with artificial intelligence technologies to create a new brokerage firm for a new era.