News:
Spotlight Content
Posted: December 23, 2025
2025 Year in Review: Sarah Berman, Berman Group
President & Founder
Berman Group
What accomplishment, milestone, project or transaction stood out for you or your firm in 2025?
December 2025 is The Berman Group’s 20th anniversary and I am so proud of our team and the work we have done in real estate over the past two decades. In 2025, some of our standout projects involved office branding and repositioning for premier development clients such as Tishman Speyer, including 148 Lafayette, 520 Madison Ave., and 6 Grand Central, as well as office branding and marketing for RXR at 1211 Ave. of the Americas, 150 East 42nd St., and 590 Madison Ave.
What emerging trends or shifts will shape opportunities for you, your firm, or market sector in 2026?
AI will be one of the most significant forces shaping our industry in 2026. In many ways, it already has. Research that once took hours can now happen instantly, design workflows are becoming more streamlined and intuitive, and teams can redirect time from repetitive tasks toward higher-value strategy and creative thinking. The opportunity is not to use AI as a replacement for creative work, but as a tool that frees people to do the work AI cannot replicate: original ideas, relationship building and thoughtful problem-solving.
MORE FROM Spotlight Content
Over half of Long Island towns vote to exceed the tax cap - Here’s how owners can respond - by Brad and Sean Cronin
When New York permanently adopted the 2% property tax cap more than a decade ago, many owners hoped it would finally end the relentless climb in tax bills. But in the last couple of years, that “cap” has started to look more like a speed bump. Property owners are seeing taxes increase even when an
.png)
.jpg)
Columns and Thought Leadership
Properly serving a lien law Section 59 Demand - by Bret McCabe
Many attorneys operating within the construction space are familiar with the provisions of New York Lien Law, which allow for the discharge of a Mechanic’s Lien in the event the lienor does not commence an action to enforce following the service of a “Section 59 Demand”.
Oldies but goodies: The value of long-term ownership in rent-stabilized assets - by Shallini Mehra
Active investors seeking rent-stabilized properties often gravitate toward buildings that have been held under long-term ownership — and for good reasons. These properties tend to be well-maintained, both physically and operationally, offering a level of stability
The strategy of co-op busting in commercial real estate - by Robert Khodadadian
In New York City’s competitive real estate market, particularly in prime neighborhoods like Midtown Manhattan, investors are constantly seeking new ways to unlock property value. One such strategy — often overlooked but
How much power does the NYC mayor really have over real estate policy? - by Ron Cohen
The mayor of New York City holds significant influence over real estate policy — but not absolute legislative power. Here’s how it breaks down:
Formal Legislative Role
• Limited direct lawmaking power: The NYC Council is the primary
.gif)