A representative of the Durst Organization, which is behind the billion-dollar Hallets Point development in Astoria, will be part of a panel discussion on the neighborhood during the Nov. 19 QNS Real Estate Conference at Terrace on the Park in Flushing.
Jordan Barowitz, vice president and external affairs for the Durst Organization, is scheduled to speak during a forum titled “An Insider’s Perspective: Astoria,” which centers around the ever-changing northwest Queens neighborhood. The Durst Organization controls a 90 percent stake in the Hallets Point project, a high-rise development that will feature retail and office space, and 2,400 affordable housing units.
Frank Korzekwinski, senior executive vice president and chief of real estate for Flushing Bank, will serve as moderator of the discussion, which will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Others on the panel include Eric Benaim, CEO and president of Modern Spaces; Joseph Pistilli, chairman and CEO of the Pistilli Realty Group; and George Karnoupakis, associate with Vanbarton Group LLC; Benedict Ciferri, vice president, facilities management of The Mount Sinai Hospital; and Robert Walsh, senior managing director of CPEX Real Estate.
The Astoria panel will be preceded by a discussion from 9 to 10 a.m. focused on the potential impact of the multi-billion dollar renovation of Kennedy and LaGuardia airports on the Queens real estate market. Scheduled speakers include Stephen Sigmund, executive director of the Global Gateway Alliance; Tyler Morse, CEO and managing partner of MCR Development; Thomas Grech, executive director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce; Kevin Costello, director of properties and corporate real estate for JetBlue; and Robert Walsh, senior managing director at CPEX Real Estate.
The real estate conference begins at 8 a.m. with breakfast, networking and opening remarks from Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. At 8:45 a.m., MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast will deliver a keynote address before the crowd participates in the panel discussions.
Star Network and The Queens Courier are sponsoring the networking event in conjunction with the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY).
“The Queens real estate market has tremendous opportunity and projects underway changing the landscape of many neighborhoods,” said Schneps Communications Co-Publisher Joshua Schneps. “This event will bring together experts in the industry to share insight and network with others working or interested in the Queens real estate industry.”
“The QNS Real Estate Conference is a great showcase for the increasingly important Queens residential and commercial markets,” said REBNY President John Banks. “REBNY members are deeply involved with a growing number of game-changing projects throughout Queens, our largest borough and top tourist destination.”
Tickets are $75 per person, but REBNY members can get a ticket for $60; tables of 10 are available for $700 each.
Register online at qns.com/reconference. For sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities, contact Amy Amato by calling 718-224-5863, ext. 201, or emailing aamato@queenscourier.com.
The event is sponsored by CPEX Real Estate Services, Flushing Bank, Modern Spaces, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Mattone Group, RCN and NYC Network Group.
