Fried Frank holiday party returns in full force

Steve Cuozzo

Business

realty check

By Steve Cuozzo

The Fried, Frank annual holiday party at Cipriani 42nd Street is the one by which other real estate soirees  are judged — and the best informal barometer of the industry’s mood.

The bash returned in full force on Dec. 5 after three years of Covid-influenced shrinkage. Law firm real estate chairman Jon Mechanic, the ever-ebullient host, said, “There was real energy in the room. There was a sense of optimism about the resurgence of New York.

“Some deals that were quiescent are back live. There’s more paper being traded, letters of intent and term sheets. And more people are back in the office.”

Nearly  1,000  power players  filled the great hall.  The development world was represented by  Bill Rudin and Michael Rudin, Vornado’s Michael Franco, SL Green’s Andy Levine, Harry Sitomer and Steve Durels, RXR’s Scott Rechler,    WatermanCLARK’s Ric Clark, Alexander Durst, George and Marian Klein, Empire State Building titan  Tony Malkin,  Joseph  Moinian, and Tom and Jake Elghanayan.

From the  investment-sale ranks were Eastdil legend Roy March and Branton Realty Services’ Woody Heller. Leasing dealmakers included  CBRE’s Stephen Siegel and Mary Ann Tighe, retail whiz Jeff Sutton,  Cushman & Wakefield’s John Cefaly and Bruce Mosler, and Newmark’s Jimmy Kuhn.