Somerset Development achieved the nearly unthinkable, transforming the former Bell Labs into the current 2 million-square-foot multifaceted Bell Works in Holmdel. In 2022, that company, where Zucker is CEO and Founder, transformed itself, rebranding to Inspired. “[W]e’re harnessing the lessons from our storied history, and building upon them for a new era of innovative and sustainable redevelopment,” Zucker said over the summer.

Guided by its modern spin on New Urbanism, work is underway in Chicago for the company’s second metroburb and now that there’s a plan in place, Inspired has eyes on developing more of the destinations. The timing could be right for that kind of roll-out, in a post-COVID environment where employers are looking to draw workers back to cooperative spaces.

The company expanded its residential portfolio in 2022 as well, as demand for housing persists, partnering with iStar to make its entrance to Asbury Park with plans for a luxury community located along 5th Avenue. Also in the shore area, the company scooped up 15 acres at the former Fort Monmouth where it plans to build 144 townhouses and 36 affordable units.

Eugene R. Diaz is the founder and principal partner at Prism Capital Partners. Prism, began in 2002 with

a mission of strategically investing and developing solely in the Tri-State area, across a broad spectrum

of asset classes and transaction sizes. Today, the firm employs more than forty (40) professionals

providing construction, development, investment, and property management services to its many

institutional partners and investors. Through his stewardship, the firm remains one of the state’s most

active and respected redevelopers focusing on adaptive re-use and repurposing of excess corporate

facilities and turn of the century industrial buildings. The firm actively develops from the ground up for

multi-family, office, industrial and retail investments as well, and purchases both stabilized and un-

stabilized income producing assets. The firm has exhibited a strong investment discipline and a

corresponding track record that attracts joint venture equity capital from some of the most venerable

global investment management firms. Prism is leaving an indelible mark on the New Jersey landscape

with such notable redevelopments and adaptive reuses project like Parkway Lofts in Bloomfield, NJ, the

361 unit apartment conversion of the former 100 year old GE BoilerWorks Building on the Garden State

Parkway, as well as the 333 unit apartment conversion of the 100 year old historically designated Thomas

A Edison Battery and Invention Center in West Orange, NJ and the redevelopment of the 116 acre former

Roche Pharmaceutical headquarters known as ON 3, which houses the prestigious Hackensack-Meridian

Seton Hall College of Medicine. Previously, Diaz worked for Cushman & Wakefield and held several

leadership positions at Gale & Wentworth, including chief investment officer responsible for directing and

overseeing all aspects of the company's investment activities. During his tenure he grew the firm's owned

investment portfolio from 500,000 square feet to more than 12 million square feet in eight states.

Throughout his career, Diaz has been responsible for the acquisition and capitalization of more than 20

million square feet of commercial real estate with total transaction value in excess of $2.5 billion.. He is

frequently quoted in many industry publications as well as topical pieces in the New York Times and Wall

Street Journal. He earned a master's degree in Real Estate Investment & Development from New York

University, where he has frequented as a guest lecturer and stand-in professor. Diaz received

undergraduate degrees in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University. Early in his

career Diaz was honored by Commercial Property News as one of their "Stars to Watch." and is regularly

ranked by NJBIZ as one of New Jersey’s most influential real estate people ranking him 3rd out of the 75

most influential leaders. He is a past member of the Board of Trustees of Englewood Hospital and an

Honorary Foundation Board Member of the Bergen Performing

Michael A. Brenna is a Partner with the law firm of Windels Marx, resident in the New Brunswick, NJ office. He has broad experience in complex commercial real estate and financial transactions. He counsels clients in the acquisition, disposition, development, redevelopment, and financing considerations for various types of properties. Connect with Michael at mbrenna@windelsmarx.com or (732) 448-2546.