By Joshua Burd
Esteemed developer Jeff Milanaik will headline this year’s NAIOP New Jersey Commercial Real Estate Awards Gala, where the association will also unveil its coveted Deal of the Year winners while honoring several other key figures and service providers.
The organization on Wednesday said Milanaik, Northeast region partner with Bridge Industrial, will receive the Charles Klatskin Lifetime Achievement Award at the May 15 event, citing his distinguished record in service to the industry and the community. That includes his tenure as a former New Jersey chapter president and corporate chair of NAIOP’s national organization, part of a career that spans nearly four decades.
The honorees for the 38th annual awards gala, a must-attend event at The Palace at Somerset Park in the Somerset section of Franklin, will also include:
- Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (Carin S. Franzini Public Partner Award)
- J.G. Petrucci Co. Inc. (Impact Award)
- PS&S (Impact Award)
- Cole Schotz PC (Industry Service Award)
“The proceeds from this event serve as a large revenue driver to fund chapter operations and advancing our strategic plan,” NAIOP New Jersey CEO Dan Kennedy said. “Our advocacy program is fighting every day to push back on proposed legislation and other policies that are seeking to deflate CRE opportunities. This year, more than ever, support for the gala is needed so we can increase the defense of our interests and get ready for a new governor in 2026.”
The chapter on Wednesday also revealed the finalists for Deal of the Year in four categories.
Mixed use
- Hoboken Connect, Hoboken – Involved in the deal: NJ Transit, City of Hoboken and LCOR
- Monmouth Square, Eatontown – Involved in the deal: Kushner, Rithm Capital Corp., GreenBarn Investment Group and Fortress Investment Group
- Vintage City, Elizabeth – Involved in the deal: MAS Development Group LLC and LeCesse Development Corp.
Industrial
- Bridge Point Perth Amboy, Perth Amboy – Involved in the deal: Bridge Industrial, Colliers, Menlo Engineering Associates, Excel Environmental, Nelson Worldwide, Bob Smith & Associates and the Law Offices of Wanda Chin Monahan
- Kingsland Meadowlands lease with TJX, Lyndhurst – Involved in the deal: Forsgate Industrial Partners and Russo Development
- 907 Pleasant Valley, Mount Laurel – Involved in the deal: Greek Design|Build, RLCold and BGO
Office
- Sanofi flagship at M Station West, Morristown – Involved in the deal: SJP Properties, Sanofi, Scotto Properties, Cushman & Wakefield and Gensler
- Unilever headquarters restructuring, Englewood – Involved in the deal: CBRE, SJP Properties, Savills, JLL and UNLMTD Team
Emerging markets (includes government-restricted municipalities, energy, health care, film and cannabis)
- 1888 Studios, Bayonne – Involved in the deal: Togus Urban Renewal LLC, Sills Cummis & Gross PC, Gensler, Turner Construction, Pizzutillo Public Affairs LLC, US Title Solutions, Bayonne City Municipality, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co. LLC, Benecke Economics, Langan, PS&S, SESI Consulting Engineers and Elysian Consulting Group LLC
- MLB Network/Crow Holdings – 25 Market St., Elmwood Park – Involved in the deal: Crow Holdings Development, Atlas Holdings, JLL, CBRE and MLB Network
