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Event Host

West End Labs

West End Labs

First built in the 1920s as an automotive showroom and repair facility for the Chrysler Corporation, 125 West End Avenue has been redeveloped as West End Labs (WEL) — a state-of-the-art research and development hub, purpose-built for a new generation of scientific discoveries and achievements. The project, features state-of-the art lab infrastructure and prebuilt lab suites to serve the growing life science community in New York City. Building amenities include a 300-person conference and event center, a landscaped rooftop terrace with views of the Hudson River, and one of the building’s most distinctive features: a spiral auto ramp once used to move cars from floor to floor which is being reimagined as “The Helix,” a communal collaboration and meeting space which highlights the building’s unique history.

Sold Out

Demand is skyrocketing for all things life sciences. New York Life Sciences & Biotech Conference on July 27 is officially sold out. But, don't worry, we have some good news for you...

While you still can, secure your ticket to International Life Sciences & Biotech Conference to be hosted in Philadelphia on Wednesday October 11-Thursday October 12!

View the lineup and register today:

Speakers and Panels

Designing Life Sciences: Wet Lab, GMP & Office Space

Developing with Tenants & Market Trends in Mind

Matthew Malone

Matthew Malone

Senior Vice President, Life Sciences

Taconic Investment Partners

Travis McCready

Travis McCready

Head of Life Sciences, Industries Americas

JLL

Anthony Guiliano

Anthony Guiliano

General Manager, Life Sciences Construction

Lendlease

Melissa Strickland

Melissa Strickland

Principal

HLW

John Bilotta

John Bilotta

Principal

Syska Hennessy

Steven Kirschenbaum
Moderator

Steven Kirschenbaum

EVP

RP Brennan

Travis McCready

Head of Life Sciences, Industries Americas

JLL

Travis McCready is the head of life sciences markets in the Americas for JLL, one of the largest commercial real

estate advisories in the world. In this capacity, he leads a multi-country platform that includes brokerage, capital

markets, project management, consulting & advisory, and valuation services for life sciences companies, developers

and investors. He also co-leads the firms Innovation Districts Practice, helping plan, build and finance innovation

districts all over North America.

Travis has over 25 years of experience leading public, private, and non-profit ventures with a focus on technology

and innovation based economic development. The former President & CEO of the $1.6 billion life sciences funding

agency Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Travis is passionate about supporting tech-based entrepreneurship

and is a frequent speaker on the evolving role of technology-based economic development at the community and

regional level. He remains active in the life sciences community serving on the boards of the global business

accelerator MassChallenge, the global life sciences business enabler Nucleate, and Wentworth Institute of

Technology in Boston. He also serves in advisory capacities at Harvard University, MIT, and Johns Hopkins

University. No stranger to public service, Travis has served on the Economic Development Planning Council under

three Massachusetts governors, has been appointed to state and national initiatives ranging from the arts to

advanced manufacturing.

Travis received his B.A. in Philosophy from Yale University, and J.D. from the University of Iowa.

Melissa Strickland

Principal

HLW

Melissa Strickland is a Principal, Senior Interior Designer, and Workplace Strategist in HLW’s Madison, New Jersey office. With more than twenty years of experience, Melissa has developed a strong portfolio of work across the Technology, Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical, Legal, and Financial industries throughout New Jersey. Key Projects include Kering, Eisai, Everest Re, Audible, Cognizant, Kyowa Kirin.

Melissa is a stand-out leader of HLW’s Madison office, steering programming, planning, and design work with a special focus on large, complex projects. She brings drive and passion for design and discovery to all her projects and plays a key role in mentoring the office's younger designers. Melissa’s energy is a source of inspiration and a constant beacon of support to her team members. Her professionalism and compassion are displayed based on her interactions with clients, her colleagues, and the project’s end-users.

John Bilotta

Principal

Syska Hennessy

John Bilotta has 25 years of experience in the design and construction administration of MEP/FP systems for major projects throughout all market sectors. As site leader for the Syska Hennessy Group’s New Jersey office, John’s responsibilities have included supervision of project team members from all engineering disciplines, management of design and construction process and budget, overseeing design services and attending key meetings to stay updated on project direction and concerns.

John has been with the Syska for over 15 years and has served in many roles, including project manager, quality assurance officer and lead mechanical engineer on many healthcare, laboratory, higher education and corporate interior projects. “There are always ways to think out of the box and engage the talented people that I am fortunate enough to work with to help a client solve a problem, whether it’s a big issue like planning for a new hospital campus or as incidental as a room that is too hot or cold.” His past project experience includes the new Wishard Hospital replacement facility, University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro, University of Pennsylvania Health System Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Rutgers/UMDNJ Cancer Institute and many highly technical and complex renovation projects.

John is a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) and is also a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE). He holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Drexel University.

Steven Kirschenbaum

Moderator

RP Brennan

R.P. Brennan, General Contractors/Construction Managers

2021-Present Executive Vice-President, Corporate Strategy & Business Development

 Lead the design and execution of major business transformation initiatives to develop the company’s long and short-term objectives, elevate business performance, strengthen the company’s operational model, profit optimization, and growth opportunities.

 Identify trends and opportunities in the various construction sectors which the company serves, and seek out new sectors which the company can enter and scale the company’s business.

 Provide strategic thinking and execution in business development, sales and marketing, and operations management.

Madison Advisory Group LLC

2005-Present Principal

 Strategic consultant to real estate owners including the workout and restructuring of debt/equity structures of small and large scale office and multi-family residential projects, and the construction industry.

 Built over 2,500 residential units in multiple rental and condominium development and conversion projects in New York City.

 Lead coordinator of all aspects of the multi-family rental and condominium development process including acquisition and financing, preparation of condominium offering plans, architecture/design/engineering matters, construction of the property, and marketing and sales of the apartment units.

Swig Equities, LLC / Helmsley Spear, LLC, New York, NY

2006-2018 Executive Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer

 With Swig Equities, directed the day-to-day business of this real estate investment,

development, and property management company, coordinating capital and operating expenditures in the development, ownership, management strategies of a 4+ million square foot portfolio of office buildings.

 Led all aspects of the development of 1,000 apartments in 2 large-scale projects with End-to-End experience in the acquisition, financing, architecture/engineering,

reconstruction/renovation, and marketing and sales of large-scale condominium

conversion projects.

 With Helmsley Spear, LLC, lead the day-to-day operations of a 30 broker team, human capital management, and tracking deal pipeline.

Metro Loft Management, LLC, New York, NY

2003-2006 Chief Operating Officer; General Counsel

 Metro Loft Management, LLC is a diversified real estate development company

principally involved in the ownership, development, and conversion from office to

residential use.

 Led the end-to-end acquisition, financing, architectural, construction, marketing and leasing components of 3 multi-family development projects totaling over 1.5 million square feet of multi-the construction of over 1,300 apartments.

EDUCATION: Legal: University of Toledo College of Law Brooklyn Law School

Toledo, Ohio Brooklyn, New York

Juris Doctor Visiting Student

College: Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York

How to Compete With Major Life Science Hubs; Building Infrastructure & Attracting Capital

Comparing New York to Boston, San Fransisco & Beyond

Andrea Himmel

Andrea Himmel

Principal, Chief Investment Officer

Himmel + Meringoff

Susan Rosenthal

Susan Rosenthal

SVP, Life Sciences & Healthcare

New York Economic Development Corporation

Abdo Allam

Abdo Allam

Vice President, Development

Brooklyn Navy Yard

Alan Harmon

Alan Harmon

Director

Linesight

Patrick O'Sullivan
Moderator

Patrick O'Sullivan

Partner

Herrick Feinstein LLP

Andrea Himmel

Principal, Chief Investment Officer

Himmel + Meringoff

Andrea Himmel serves as Principal and Chief Investment Officer at leading Manhattan-based commercial real estate owner/developer Himmel + Meringoff Properties. In this key role, Andrea is working to expand the company’s $2 billion NYC portfolio of Outer Borough industrial warehouses and secondary office buildings in Manhattan. Prior to joining Himmel + Meringoff in 2018, Andrea held a number of key positions with several well-known commercial real estate firms, including Brookfield Properties.

As a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s esteemed Wharton School, Andrea earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Real Estate Finance. During her tenure at Wharton, she was also chosen to be part of the Joseph Wharton Scholar Honors Program.

Himmel + Meringoff Properties is a privately held New York real estate investment company with a commitment to the long-term ownership and hands-on operation and management of one of the largest privately-owned portfolios of secondary office buildings in Manhattan and a growing portfolio of industrial warehouses located in the boroughs of New York City. The company acquires opportunistic commercial real estate properties with significant value-add potential.

Susan Rosenthal

SVP, Life Sciences & Healthcare

New York Economic Development Corporation

Susan Rosenthal is the Senior Vice President, Life Sciences & Healthcare at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which announced in June 2021 a plan to double the City’s $500 million investment in life sciences to $1 billion to create jobs and establish New York City as a global leader in life sciences. Susan also led NYCEDC’s COVID-19 testing team, which in partnership with City Hall and NYC Health + Hospitals helped launch the Pandemic Response Lab, created a local supply chain for COVID test kits, and evaluated technologies for point of care and rapid tests to support the City’s response to COVID-19. Susan has over fifteen years of industry experience with a rich background in business development, corporate strategy, and portfolio management from her time at Pfizer and Deloitte Consulting. Her experience spans many therapeutic areas as well as across early and late stage R&D. Sue earned her MBA from NYU and her Bachelor's degree in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Alan Harmon

Director

Linesight

Alan Harmon is a Director with Linesight, a global construction consultancy firm. He has over 15 years of experience overseeing the successful delivery of large and intricate construction projects in the United States and Europe. His experience extends to the dynamic field of life sciences, where he plays a pivotal role in the delivery of cutting-edge facilities that support advancements in medical research, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Additionally, he has spearheaded notable projects in the data centers and corporate interiors sectors. Alan is proactive in exploring and implementing innovations in project controls and sustainability.

Patrick O'Sullivan

Moderator

Herrick Feinstein LLP

Patrick O’Sullivan is a partner in Herrick's Real Estate Department where he represents owners, developers, investors, governmental entities and not-for-profit institutions on a range of real estate matters with a focus on development issues, particularly those that arise in public-private transactions. He has represented clients on a range of complex transactions for properties across the U.S., including acquisitions and dispositions, large-scale developments, joint ventures, construction projects, ground leases, and public and private financings. Patrick also navigates clients through the multi-step process of applying for and utilizing tax incentive programs at the local and federal level. He advises clients on the tax incentives available for investors in Qualified Opportunity Zones and on how to structure those investments given the evolving regulatory framework. Patrick is a former Executive Vice President and Head of the Real Estate Transactions Group at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. While at NYCEDC, Patrick worked with leading real estate developers to successfully executing complex public-private transactions throughout the City.

Accommodating Tenant Growth in the Greater NYC Area

Catering to the Needs of a Diverse Tenant Base

Micah Zajic

Micah Zajic

Chief Financial Officer

LEXEO Therapeutics

Jamie Schwartz

Jamie Schwartz

President

Hudson Valley iCampus

Glennis Mehra

Glennis Mehra

Director

BioLabs at NYU Langone

Sally Lee

Sally Lee

Education and Science Principal

HDR

Joe Landolina

Joe Landolina

CEO and Co-Founder

Cresilon

Martin Togni
Moderator

Martin Togni

Partner

Allen Matkins

Sally Lee

Education and Science Principal

HDR

An architect by training, Sally has a reputation for bringing great creativity, innovation and attention to detail to every project she works on, including some of HDR’s most high-profile education, science, workplace, and mixed-use projects around the globe. In her role as Education & Science leader, she directs and executes regional project leadership, strategic planning and business development efforts to help life science corporations and developers achieve their missions and goals.

Martin Togni

Moderator

Allen Matkins

Martin L. Togni is a partner in the San Diego office of Allen Matkins with a practice focusing primarily on Life Sciences, representing a variety of landlords and tenants in the development and leasing of Life Science and Biotech projects. He has successfully completed major leasing transactions totaling more than 40 million square feet in California, the Midwest, and East Coast over the past 25 years, representing some of the nation's leading real estate and end-user companies. Martin also represents a wide variety of clients in the acquisition, disposition, development, financing and ground leasing of shopping centers, industrial projects, office buildings and other commercial and mixed-use projects throughout the country

Life Sciences Conversions: Determining Feasibility for Adaptive Reuse

Are Conversions Happening? Where are they Getting Executed?

Jonathan Schmerin

Jonathan Schmerin

Managing Principal

Georgetown Company

Ed Jaram

Ed Jaram

Senior Director, Head of New York

King Street Properties

Susan Heersema

Susan Heersema

Senior Project Architect and Science + Technology Co-

Perkins & Will

Anthony DiGirolamo

Anthony DiGirolamo

Chief MEP Estimator

Hunter Roberts Construction

Eric Scatton

Eric Scatton

Senior Project Manager

AKF Group

Josh Rownd
Moderator

Josh Rownd

Vice President, Sr. Director of Business Development

Jacobs

Ed Jaram

Senior Director, Head of New York

King Street Properties

Ed Jaram joined King Street at the start of 2019 to manage project execution in New York and the surrounding markets, and has nearly 20 years’ experience in construction and real estate, both in the US and the UK. Before joining King Street, he ran the in-house construction company for a Manhattan-based developer performing both ground-up and renovation projects, delivering over 1,000,000 sq ft of construction in a three-year period. Before that, he worked for 10 years for Gardiner & Theobald – one of the largest independently-held construction consultancies in the world – and delivered projects with a total value of over $1bn in London, Los Angeles and New York, for clients including the WPP Advertising group, BioMed Realty, and The Dorchester Collection hotel company.

Susan Heersema

Senior Project Architect and Science + Technology Co-

Perkins & Will

Susan has over 20 years of experience and has become an exceptionally skilled technical architect, proficient in drawing set composition, coordination and preparation of specifications, value engineering evaluation, as well as integration of exterior enclosure, MEP/FP and other specialty systems. These skills complement her ability to listen carefully to clients, understand complex program requirements – especially in the sciences – and integrate technical requirements into design solutions. She often serves as direct client liaison, and is responsible for quality assurance and control measures on projects of all types . She is highly proficient in the administration of building, accessibility, MEP and life safety codes and has extensive experience with construction administration. Susan’s experience reflects her expansive capabilities and expertise on a variety of building types, with an emphasis on clinical and research laboratories.

Anthony DiGirolamo

Chief MEP Estimator

Hunter Roberts Construction

As Chief MEP Estimator, Anthony oversees the entire MEP team and the estimation

process from start to finish, ensuring the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and

competitiveness of all estimates. He also acts as the client liaison during pre-

construction, skillfully coordinating between owners, architects, engineers, and specialty

contractors to create a seamless pre-construction process that lays the foundation for

project success in the field. Anthony conducts cost analyses and evaluates contracts to

identify potential risks and opportunities for cost savings. Additionally, he collaborates

closely with the Operations team to incorporate schedules, logistics, and scopes of work

into the estimate, considering operational costs as well. Anthony’s extensive industry

knowledge has been honed through his involvement in numerous healthcare, life

science, education, residential, commercial, and general MEP new construction projects.

Josh Rownd

Moderator

Jacobs

Josh has over 37 years of experience in the industry. 35 years of it within the science & technology markets. This has provided him with a unique blend of experience including projects for life science, academic, micro-electronic, bio-medical, medical device, pharmaceutical, mission critical, R&D laboratories, and cleanrooms. These projects include: BSL-4, BSL-3 and BLSL-2 laboratories, vivarium, cGMP manufacturing spaces and cleanroom (class 10,000 to class 1) environments. With significant experience in strategic planning, business development, project leadership and management, budgeting, scheduling, construction administration and facilitation of life science/advanced technology projects, he has been able to skillfully integrate client and stakeholder needs and transform them into built solutions.

Opening Remarks from Taconic

Matt Weir Discusses 125 West End

Matthew Weir

Matthew Weir

Executive Vice President

Taconic Partners

Matthew Weir

Executive Vice President

Taconic Partners

Matt oversees Taconic’s commercial property portfolio and is responsible for all aspects of asset management including marketing, leasing, development, contract negotiations, portfolio strategy, and dispositions. Since joining Taconic in 2006, Matt has been responsible for or directly involved in repositioning over 7 million square feet of commercial space. Matt earned his Master of Science in real estate with a concentration in development from New York University and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

2023 New York Life Science Developments

Why it Matters

What You'll Learn:

  • Understand where New York ranks nationally with life sciences developments and what the future hold for this market.

  • Which life sciences developments are best in class in New York and what is driving tenants to these buildings?

  • Learn which infrastructure policies are driving development activity, project approval and fostering growth for the region's tenants.

  • Which design elements are in highest demand for driving leasing activity and how does this differ in New York City vs. the NY suburbs?

  • Which markets can serve as a blueprints or reference points for the future of the city's life science developments? 

  • What is the investor and developer appetite from national players to enter the New York market?

  • Panelists will discuss the feasibility of conversion projects in New York.

How you'll do more business: Enhance your business by understanding how the New York life sciences community is growing to compete with other top biotech hubs across the country. Gain a better understanding for what tenants are looking for as they grow and expand. Additionally, what design and development strategies are top executives implementing in these top clusters.  

Who attends: Investors, owners, developers, lenders, biotech tenants, brokers, public sector companies, architects, contractors, engineers and property managers. 

Why should you attend: Bisnow events bring together the biggest power players in the industry to identify opportunities, build your network, and expand your business. With the largest audience of commercial real estate professionals in the world, no one knows how to help your business more than us.

For questions, recommendations, comments, or press inquiries please email our New York Event Producer, Chris Picher at chris.picher@bisnow.com. 

To request disability-related accommodations, please contact ellie.meyer@bisnow.com no later than seven business days prior to the event.

DON'T MISS OUR PREMIER INTERNATIONAL LIFE SCIENCES & BIOTECH CONFERENCE THIS FALL

Announcing the inaugural Bisnow International Life Sciences & Biotech Conference! Bringing together hundreds of leaders across CRE's hottest sector, the summit will be held on October 11-12 in Philadelphia. Learn more about this premier event by clicking here.

Venue

West End Labs
125 West End Avenue
New York, NY 10023


Get Directions

Agenda

Time Activity
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
Coffee, Breakfast & Networking
1:00 PM
1:45 PM
Designing Life Sciences: Wet Lab, GMP & Office Space

1. Understand where the market is headed on lab types: lab vs. office split
2. Closer look at the specific design elements that are at the top of tenants wish lists: amenities, spec suites, bench flexibility

1:45 PM
2:30 PM
How to Compete With Major Life Science Hubs: Building Infrastructure & Attracting Capital

1. What infrastructure is the city providing to attract investors and top tenants?
2. How does New York compare to other top markets?

2:30 PM
2:45 PM
Networking
2:45 PM
3:30 PM
Accommodating Tenant Growth in the Greater NYC Area

1. Better understanding what tenants need at each stage of their growth and how developers and designers can cater to those demands
2. Which types of tenants are looking to call New York home?

3:30 PM
4:15 PM
Life Sciences Conversions: Determining Feasibility for Adaptive Reuse

1. How do you make the math pencil on these conversions?
2. What is the biggest challenge to doing conversions?

4:15 PM
4:30 PM
Networking

Bisnow International Life Sciences & Biotech Conference in Philadelphia in October

Announcing the inaugural Bisnow International Life Sciences Summit! Bringing together hundreds of leaders across CRE's hottest sector, the summit will be held on October 11-12 in Philadelphia. Learn more about this premier event by clicking here!