NEWYORKCITY Optimistic About New York An Interview with Joseph Moinian, Chief Executive Offi cer, The Moinian Group EDITORS’ NOTE Joseph Moinian, square feet of real estate projects on thriving, 24/7 community with more than 60,000 the New York City-based developer, 11th Avenue alone. We recently part- residents, a booming, multisector business hub, investor and long-term owner of nered with Boston Properties – a and copious family, entertainment and outdoor prime real estate nationwide, is rec- REIT, and one of the largest owners, offerings. We have a number of new projects ognized for pioneering the develop- managers and developers of fi rst-class coming up in the neighborhood and we are ment of emerging neighborhoods offi ce properties in the U.S. – on our excited to continue to expand our presence in major metropolitan cities across crown jewel, 3 Hudson Boulevard, there. the United States. He is a member of our two million-square-foot gleam- The Moinian Group has made a major the Board of Governors of the Real ing offi ce tower rising in the heart of investment in the West Side of Manhattan. Estate Board of New York and sits the Hudson Yards District. SKY, our Will you discuss this focus for the firm on the board of the Skyline Museum. 41-story, 1,175-unit luxury residential and the impact that you feel the redevelop- project, is nearly 100 percent leased. ment and transformation of the West Side of COMPANY BRIEF Founded by Joseph Moinian Our newest luxury residential project, Manhattan will have on New York City? Joseph Moinian in 1982, The Oskar, is located across the street from We invested heavily along Manhattan’s Far Moinian Group (moinian.com) today boasts a SKY and is leasing up rapidly. We are also in West Side many years ago, when the area was an portfolio of more than 20 million square feet of discussion with several high-end retailers who outdated, vastly underutilized industrial blight, property and is among one of the only national are interested in leasing our prime retail space with no indication of the massive, dynamic, in- real estate entities to develop, own and operate at 535-545 Fifth Avenue. The fi nancing arm of demand offi ce and residential neighborhood properties across every asset category, including our business we launched last year, Moinian that is unfolding before our eyes. Our Far West offi ce, hotel, retail, condos and rental apart- Capital Partners, has already placed over $500 Side portfolio includes a mix of luxury resi- ments. The Moinian Group has been a pioneer million into the market. dential, including SKY, Atelier, and the recently for the development of state-of-the-art, visually launched Oskar, and gleaming offi ce towers that distinguished properties. set new standards of excellence. We believe that as more projects come to fruition – including Will you discuss the history and heritage of our crown jewel, 3 Hudson Boulevard – the The Moinian Group and how the fi rm has Far West Side will become New York’s defi ning evolved and grown? neighborhood for offi ce workers, tourists and I founded The Moinian Group in 1982. Since locals alike. then, we have developed, owned and operated Will you highlight the launch of properties across every asset category including your new technology startup funding divi- offi ce, hotel and retail, as well as residential con- sion, Currency M, and your vision for this dos and luxury rentals. What started as a small business? fi rm has expanded to a portfolio in excess of 20 With the launch of Currency M, our venture million square feet across major markets includ- investment arm, we provide early-stage invest- ing Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and, of course, ment, support and advice to technology compa- New York City. We are primarily focused on creat- nies in a number of sectors but who ultimately ing and maintaining state-of-the-art, aesthetically have some connection to real estate. Our aim distinguished properties. We have refocused our is to create mutually benefi cial strategic part- energy to concentrate on New York, including nerships with companies that value access to Downtown, the Far West Side and other emerging The Moinian Group’s resources and expertise. neighborhoods. As the city has evolved, we have A rendering of Oskar, The Moinian Group’s most recently Some of our recent investments include residen- evolved with it. launched project at 572 Eleventh Avenue in Manhattan tial leasing and marketing platform Nestio, co- How do you see the current state of the living startup Ollie, and on-demand offi ce space New York real estate market? You had a focus on Downtown Manhattan provider Knotel. We are always optimistic and enthusiastic at a very early stage. What excited you about What advice do you give to young people about New York. The demand to work, play, this part of New York City and would you interested in building a career in the real live and learn here is greater than it’s ever been. highlight your commitment to Downtown estate industry? There are always opportunities to invest and Manhattan? You must always work hard, give 100 per- develop here. We have always seen long-term value in cent and understand that a career is built over Will you provide an overview of emerging and underdeveloped neighborhoods. time. A long-term approach will help give you The Moinian Group’s current projects We fi rst invested in Lower Manhattan over 20 the vision and confidence to appreciate that and developments? years ago, when the area was a 9-5 business success is a journey, while remaining focused The Moinian Group is as active as we’ve center with virtually no neighborhood ameni- and vigilant about the projects you are working ever been. In total we have more than four million ties. Over the years it has transformed into a on right now.• 78 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2018 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 41, NUMBER 4.