REBNY names winners for the 27th annual Retail Deal of the Year Awards

Manhattan, NY The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the City’s leading real estate trade association, named winners for its annual Retail Deal of the Year Awards at a ceremony and cocktail party held on September 17^th. In its 27^th year, the event attracted 150 members and guests and was held at The Town Hall by Skylight at 2 Pennsylvania Plaza.

Judges consisting of real estate lawyers, property owners, and past and present chairs of the REBNY Retail Committee (having no conflicts of interest) evaluated the award nominations based on ingenuity and professional skill. Sales and leasing transactions coordinated by REBNY members involving retail property were eligible for award consideration regardless of size and complexity.

The Most Ingenious Retail Deal of the Year, which demonstrates exceptional broker acumen (ingenuity and creativity), was given to Sean Moran and Steven Soutendijk of Cushman & Wakefield and Stephen Sjurset and Kelly Dell’Aquila of CBRE for their 23,000 s/f lease of Lidl US at 408 Grand Street in Lower East Side, Manhattan.

The Most Impactful Retail Deal of the Year, which is given to the most meaningful retail transaction in its overall characteristics and importance to the New York City retail market, was awarded to Patrick A. Smith and Matt Ogle of JLL for securing Food Hall Co.’s first New York City location. The 35,000 s/f transaction brought Shaver Food Hall to Amazon’s “Hank” Building at 424 Fifth Avenue, formerly Lord & Taylor’s flagship store. 

The REBNY Retail Development/Project of the Year Award, which recognizes the developers, architects, general contractors and consultants who facilitated development of the most impactful and unique retail-focused development in New York City, was given to Haim Chera, Edward Hogan, Jason Morrison and Jenniel Davis of Vornado Realty Trust for the redesign of Penn Station and Plaza33.

“Tonight’s winners and nominees have demonstrated exceptional foresight and client service in our business, offering an example for our members to follow and build on through the end of 2025 and entering 2026,” said REBNY retail committee co-chair Matt Chmielecki of CBRE.

“Having tonight’s festivities within the recently renovated Penn Plaza is symbolic of the integral role retail plays in reenergizing neighborhoods and weaving together a wide range of office and infrastructure assets,” added said REBNY retail committee co-chair Preston Cannon of CBRE. “We are grateful to our hosts and sponsors for helping to make tonight happen.”

“Tonight’s winners show how retail transactions can instigate rather than just react to positive transformations in neighborhoods and the way New Yorkers buy and sell goods and services,” said Leslie Donato, REBNY vice president of commercial brokerage services and events. “Thank you to our members and sponsors for continuing to show tremendous enthusiasm for this competition and the retail community fostered by REBNY.”