COLIN COWIE

ince joining RXR Realty in 2015, Ryan Lee, 28, has been responsible for transacting over $15 billion in investment activity at the firm. A First Vice President on the Investments Team at RXR, a vertically integrated real estate company, Lee focuses on executing equity and debt investments across all types of asset classes, from office to industrial to retail and residential.

Amazon

Of the numerous deals that many would consider a career highlight, one standout is the 1 million-square-foot, multi-story, high-

tech, logistics facility custom-built for Amazon in Queens. Lee has been involved in the deal throughout the process, acquiring the raw land in 2018, developing it, and bringing it to Amazon. Recently, he helped negotiate a deal to sell an interest in the project to a few investors.

Over the past year alone Lee spearheaded $3 billion in transactions, a very high volume, especially coming out of the pandemic. In addition to the Amazon project, this year’s deals included a 2,000-unit multifamily portfolio throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, a 3,600-unit self-storage portfolio in the New York metropolitan area, and a 2 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution center in Brooklyn.

Real estate wunderkind

After graduating with high distinction from the University of Michigan’s prestigious Stephen M. Ross School of Business, he jumpstarted his career at RXR as an intern. A few months into the job another employee left, and Lee was promoted to a full-time analyst. Within seven years he went on to become a Vice President at 25, and later, a First Vice President at 26. That trajectory directly into real estate investment and acquisition is even more remarkable given RXR’s reputation as a blue-chip company highly sought after by the industry’s brightest talents.

Commercial Observer’s top 30

In 2021, Lee was named one of Commercial Observer’s top 30 national real estate professionals in finance and equity under 35 years old. The publication also featured him as this year’s “Day in the Life” honoree, documenting his typical daily routine, from early morning gym session through the workday and into evening’s extracurricular activities.

Philanthropy

Lee plays an active role on the Board of Governors of the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association of New York (YM/WREA), among the city’s most prestigious professional groups. In addition to networking opportunities, Lee participates in YM/WREA’s charitable and community outreach efforts.

Cycle for Survival

One recent Saturday he helped to rehabilitate a community center in Coney Island that offers educational programs for at-risk youth and families. Last spring, the group donned rubber gloves and filled trash bags cleaning up Madison Square Park, and later did a similar cleanup on streets throughout various parts of Brooklyn. Other recent charitable endeavors included a Cycle for Survival to raise funds for cancer research, blood drives, and fixing up a community garden with Rebuilding Together NYC. These outdoor programs enabled YM/WREA to continue to serve the community throughout the pandemic.

Habitat for Humanity

They’ve also worked with Habitat for Humanity and Crossroads Community, and the group holds an annual “Operation Backpack” program in which they pack backpacks with all necessary school supplies for underprivileged youth. Lee is on the Young Leaders Group (YLG) Committee for the Urban Land Institute of New York (ULI) and is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY).

A San Francisco native, Lee is Chinese American, and serves on RXR Realty’s Racial Equity Working Group, working to leverage the firm’s position as an industry leader to address systemic racism and structural inequality throughout underserved communities.

Newly minted homeowner; art collector; investor

Lee recently bought his first apartment in NoHo and is working with interior designer Nicole Fuller to complete the space. He also collects art, focusing on post-war, contemporary, and emerging artists with the guidance of art advisor Rachel Cole. His collection so far includes artworks ranging from George Condo to Stephanie Temma Hier.

Marea & China Live

Other personal investments include Marea, the restaurant in Columbus Circle, Outer Heaven, a forthcoming Lower East Side nightlife destination, online fitness platform Ladder, and China Live, a culinary and cultural destination in San Francisco’s Chinatown that Eater described as “a Chinese version of Eataly” and “one of the biggest openings to hit San Francisco in quite some time.” Lee is a lifelong Golden State Warriors and San Francisco 49ers fan, and he enjoys playing basketball, golf, and chess – he won the California state chess championship as a child. P

Ryan Lee Real Estate’s Rising Young Star BY BENNETT MARCUS

‘‘IN 2021, LEE WAS NAMED ONE OF COMMERCIAL OBSERVER’S TOP 30 NATIONAL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS IN FINANCE AND EQUITY UNDER 35 YEARS OLD.’’

Colin Cowie

The Crown Prince of Hospitality

BY GEORGE WAYNE

COLIN COWIE WAS DOING WHAT COLIN COWIE DOES best - mesmerizing a crowd of tastemakers with his tantalizing Anglo-African rasp about all things bespoke in the realm of elevated style and hospitality. As one would expect, he was doing so at Manhattan’s most spectacular new private residentialtower and the most talked-about new skyscraperon the planet -it’s the buzz of Billionaires Row and is already regarded as Gotham City’s most prestigious new address. Central Park Tower is that preening, regal and gorgeous slither of silver now fully topped off at 1,550 feet as the latest ‘supermodel’ to the already fabled New York City skyline.

So, there was the masterclass long famous for creating some of the world’s most bespoke luxury experiences once again being that visionary and showing how to stage an unforgettable cocktail party in the post-pandemic era. That this gathering was to celebrate his 11th book with the setting the jaw-dropping luxe of this new tower - where he’s helped set the ephemera as the appointed ‘’Lifestyle Curator’’ - made it quite clear that the 60-yearold Zambian-born tastemaker is still very much at the top of his game.

Colin Cowie rose to fame as Oprah Winfrey’s go-to party planner.He first made waves as the classy impresario for the millionaire class sourced to stage that one-of-a-kind-meta-destination wedding. Over three decades he’s finessed his brand to become that mercurial authority on how ‘The 1%’ live with style and elan. And so the news that Mr. Cowie had been recruited by Gary Barnett (CEO of the blue-chip Extell Developers) to finesse the hospitality aspect to his 21st Century skyscraper has now proved to be brilliant gut instinct and perfect creative synergy. ‘’This is over a

100th Floor Cigar Lounge

Colin Cowie’s latest book

decade of planning and collaboration with the world’s most talented designers and consultants and this is now our greatest achievement.’’ The Extell CEO is on the record for exalting about his already iconic NYC tower.

Without question ‘The CPT’ is now the ultimate prestige tower to live inoff Billionaires Row. The next-level realtors from Corcoran Sunshine are trilling with glee and eager to let you know that this thoroughly curated oasis of luxury is now the best-selling Manhattan residential tower of 2021. Colin Cowie Lifestyle was hired to set the seduction for the common space for residents on the fourteenth floor and the one-of-a-kind Central Park Club and restaurant concept for 50,000 square feet on the hundredth floor of this stunning glass tower. It is slated to be the most private and exclusive boite - with the most stratospheric views - only for the gilded set who are lucky to live here.

Haute snobbismis a mere understatement in this part of town. And if the 100th floor ephemera is going to be as stunning and intoxicating as the vast outdoor 14th-floor esplanade - replete with gym, spa and the 60-foot pool - then Central Park Tower will be totally sold out by the end of this feature. ‘’This is how we seduce the customer,’’ the tastemaker purred as we donned construction crew hats for a quick tour of the grand state-ofthe-art surroundings. And that was just the beginning.

GW You’ve said that your whole idea here was “to create an oasis that these lucky residents will never want to leave.’’ That was your mantra when you took this gig from Extell Developers. So, are you happy with the final outcome?

CC I’m beyond happy with the result of what Extell has developed. We have every amenity imaginable to WOW our residents and to create an oasis they will never want to leave.

14th Floor Pool Rendering

Gary Barnett make the pitch, or did you come up with the notion?

CC I was introduced by a creative agency that Extell was working with. As soon as I came on board, my role and scope of the work increased.

GW What’s the most seductive aspect to the glorious setting you’ve helped to create here on the 14th floor of what is now considered Manhattan’s most prestigious new address, Central Park Tower?

CC I’m madly in love with the 14th floor. Particularly the outdoors. It’s like a beach club in Manhattan and ideal for outdoor entertaining.With a fabulous outdoor kitchen, BBQ, swimming pool, fireplace, lounge beds and TV there is no need to leave! I was there last Tuesday and ironically, they were mowing the lawn! Indoors has a great lounge and a very comfortable screening room. GW They call you a ‘’Lifestyle Specialist’’. Is that a fair assumption?

CC I create authentic experiences, so lifestyle specialist seems appropriate.

GW The final bit to this monumental and epic involvement of yours with the developers of Central Park Tower is the hottest private club in the world that you plan to create with 50,000 square feet on the 100th Floor of CPT. Tell us more!

CC The 100th floor is the epicenter of the Central Park Tower Club. Boasting a 45-seater restaurant with a coterie of revolving celebrated chefs like Alfred Portale, Gabriel Kreuther and Lauren Tourondel – the menu will be seasonally driven by our extraordinary chefs. Each time the menu changes, napkins, water goblets and votive candles will change too.There will always be something new to offer our residents and guests. Add to that a private cigar and cognac bar stocked with the very finest spirits available.We also have a ballroom that will seat 150 guests with the most staggering views of Central Park.There is nothing else that comes remotely similar to what we are doing. It’s a unique model.

GW So it will be, no pun intended, the most elevated private nightclub in the world?

CC Indeed, it will be the chicest private club with wrap-around views of New York City and Central Park.

GW How would Colin Cowie define the art of reading a room? What are the first signs you look for when something is not going right?

CC I always strive for harmony with the senses. Building and decorating can be relatively easy – how you bring a room alive and give it a soul is