Ben Sabin, 28
Managing director at Ripco Real Estate
Ben Sabin has had an eye for data analytics since graduating from Emory University and trying his hand at everything from clinical psychology to equity trading.
Finally deciding to use those talents as a broker, Sabin dabbled in real estate by getting involved in programs and events, eventually landing a job at Ripco in 2017 after he hit it off with a recruiter. An earlier internship at CBRE sparked an interest in commercial real estate for Sabin, which gave him access to some of the industry’s biggest dealmakers like Stephen Siegel and Mary Ann Tighe.
“I don’t have the personality to sit behind a desk and plug away for hours and hours. I’m a people person,” Sabin said. “I was very fortunate. … I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to be in commercial real estate. I’m not sure that you do unless your family is in the business that you grow up wanting a commercial real estate career.”
The lockdowns in 2020 amid the onset of COVID was a time in which Sabin believes he could have been less lucky, a time when many brokers were being furloughed and development stalled for many newcomers to the field.
“In 2020, when I was supposed to be hitting my stride, the world shut down,” Sabin said. “I took the opportunity, because there wasn’t as much transactional work going on, to take a Cornell University online real estate course just to stay well-rounded. In addition to that, I still had the opportunity to get in front of decision-makers, CEOs and owners of companies. … I wasn’t making deals with those people in 2020, but I was building relationships.”
Since the pandemic has eased, Sabin has worked on deals with high-profile brands such as legendary leather jacket maker Schott NYC in its relocation to 2,500 square feet at 32 Howard Street in SoHo in March 2023. Sabin worked on the deal with Richard Skulnik and Lindsay Zegans representing the landlord, Greg Kraut’s KPG Funds.
He also helped arrange a deal with clothing brand Mack Weldon for 944 square feet at 317 Bleecker Street in the West Village in December 2021.
