Jonah Sonnenborn

You’ve got two big projects cooking in New York City at the moment, One High Line and Williamsburg Wharf. How are you splitting your time? 

Both are complex waterfront properties in dynamic neighborhoods that are transforming the city’s skyline. With that responsibility, Access is fortunate to partner with two of New York’s premier development groups: Witkoff and Naftali. We devote significant time to ensuring we execute these projects correctly and collaboratively. Seeing residents move in and express genuine happiness brings a tremendous sense of satisfaction and accomplishment to the Access team.

Does your law background give you a competitive advantage when it comes to development?

While lawyers are often seen as conservative and developers as aggressive, having a legal background provides a valuable edge in assessing risk, which is critical in development. The law teaches you to analyze complex issues from multiple angles, and successful development requires patience, perspective and a thoughtful approach, particularly when challenges arise.

Do the greatest real estate investment opportunities today lie in New York, Miami or elsewhere?  

The greatest city in the world remains New York. Sorry, I am biased. That said, the best real estate opportunities tend to be more micro than macro. They depend on location, sector-specific supply and demand, the operating and political environments, and the quality of partners involved. We also tend to be a bit contrarian — when capital flows out of a market, we often dive deeper because buying opportunities emerge when there’s a disconnect between fundamentals and capital availability.

What would you like to see out of the next New York mayoral administration to help drive increased market activity? 

Public safety helps increase feelings of security and improves quality of life for those living in New York City. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has strengthened confidence in the city. The next administration will also need to address housing and affordability challenges in a sensible, apolitical way, with buy-in from all stakeholders. Whether real or perceived, a decline in safety or growing divisiveness around development will only weaken market activity and sentiment.

What stresses you out the most about the market today?

Costs continue to escalate as labor, materials and insurance are all rising. The built environment requires ongoing investment to address obsolescence, accommodate growth, and integrate new technologies. Achieving an acceptable return on investment has become increasingly challenging.

Faena NYC recently opened, and it’s already a hot ticket from both a hospitality and a dining/entertainment perspective. How’s it going so far? 

It’s exciting to open such a special property in New York. With Faena, we strive to provide our guests with a differentiated hospitality experience. The spaces are not only beautiful but highly functional, so that they encourage social interaction and enhance economic value. While it costs a bit more to build given the quality, the emphasis on design and engagement will build a sense of place and belonging for those on property. 

I have always believed in developing, owning and managing hands-on, thoughtfully designed real estate. Thoughtful placemaking, like Faena, can create round-the-clock activity, making real estate more attractive and leading to increased demand and value.

Lighting Round:

Mamdani, Cuomo, Adams — Friend, mute, unfollow?
I’m not on social media.  

Your pick for Fed chair `26?
Kevin Warsh.

Borrowing costs up or down by late 2026?
 Down.

More excited about — interest rate cut or Taylor Swift’s engagement?
 Interest rate cut.

Last vacation and where?
 Vacation? 

Like in ‘Freaky Friday’ you swap bodies with Jerome Powell. What would you do?
 I guess I would enjoy the day as a much older man and stay the course.

What’s your kryptonite?
My children.

How are the tariffs going to affect your Thanksgiving shopping? 

We won’t be serving French wine.

You appear on the kisscam at a concert. Who’s performing?
 Does Phish have a kisscam?

If Stephen Starr asked you which restaurant he should next reopen, what would it be?
La Luncheonette.