Ben Brown, head of U.S. Office and managing partner at Brookfield Property Group.
Ben Brown
Managing partner and head of U.S. office at Brookfield Property Group
How much longer can this go on?
This question has now been asked regularly for 19 months. The correct answer hasn’t changed: I don’t know, but we will get through it.
What does normal look like?
Do we do “normal” in New York City? I think we will soon see the return of office workers and tourists. Those will be two big steps toward normal.
If you could go back in time to March of 2020, what’s the first thing you would do?
If I could go back in time, March 2020 would not be my first choice.
What do you do now that you never did before 2020?
Wallet, keys, phone … vax record.
What’s the biggest threat to the return to normal?
We’ll get there. Unvaccinated people plus variants are what can continue to make it take longer than it needs to.
Is now the time to buy or sell?
Of course.
Suddenly there’s a big change to the New York state constitution and you’re now named the 58th governor of the Empire State — what do you do about the eviction moratorium?
First step: Focus on facilitating New York getting available federal money to help renters and landlords alike.
Lightning round
Eric Adams or Curtis Sliwa?
Eric Adams will be our mayor, and I am hopeful and encouraged.
Last time you got on an airplane, what was your destination?
This week to Boston.
What vax did you get?
Moderna.
Your go-to takeout?
Seamore’s.
Where does your patience wear thinnest — evictions or anti-vaxxers?
I understand why someone would not want to be evicted.
