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Day two of CREtech New York 2025 centered on two key themes shaping the future of commercial real estate — New York City’s office market rebound and the enduring importance of sustainability across the built environment.

NYC’s Class A Surge Signals Market Momentum
In a discussion moderated by Sam Chandan of NYU Stern’s Chen Institute, leading New York developers and investors noted that the city’s office sector has rebounded sharply since the pandemic. Alexander Durst of The Durst Organization highlighted that Class A buildings remain the hottest assets — with demand even spilling into Class B spaces and older properties with fewer amenities.

To stay competitive, Durst said owners are differentiating through experience-driven upgrades. “The first question a prospective tenant asks is, ‘What kind of amenities does the building have?’” he noted, pointing to features like conference centers and fitness facilities as must-haves.

The ribbon-cutting of JPMorgan Chase’s new 2.5 million-square-foot global headquarters was also seen as a milestone for the city, symbolizing confidence in returning to in-person work. “It sets a precedent,” Chandan remarked, “for large institutions to motivate teams back into the office full time.”

Sustainability: From Compliance to Core Strategy
While federal policy may fluctuate, speakers across multiple panels reaffirmed that corporate sustainability commitments remain steadfast. Jonathan Flaherty of Tishman Speyer emphasized that long-term investment strategies won’t be dictated by political shifts. “We make decisions based on what’s appropriate for the future,” he said.

Panelists agreed that sustainability is now both a moral and financial imperative. Robert Schiffer of SL Green Realty predicted that all new office developments will soon be fully electric, driven by tenant demand and branding advantages. “It’s a great calling card,” he said.

Urban Mining and the Next Wave of Green Construction
A separate session led by Heather Widman of Building Ventures explored urban mining — the reuse of materials from older structures in new developments. Sydney Mainster of The Durst Organization detailed how her firm is experimenting with reprocessing glass from existing buildings into new insulation and carpeting materials.

Panel moderator Steve Weikal of MIT described the approach as “rethinking demolition — turning end-of-life materials into next-generation resources.” Mainster added that for this to work, design and construction teams must consider reuse from the start: “How materials are assembled and attached is just as critical as the materials themselves.”

The Takeaway
Day two underscored a powerful dual narrative — New York City’s office market is regaining strength, and sustainability is no longer optional. Together, they define the evolving blueprint for resilient, future-focused commercial real estate.

Original article posted on October 23, 2025

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