By Joshua Burd
NAIOP New Jersey has renamed its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of the late Charles Klatskin, the pioneering developer and founder of Forsgate Industrial Partners, with plans to bestow the honor on his son at the association’s largest annual event.
Alex Klatksin, a general partner with Forsgate, will receive the award on Oct. 7 as part of the association’s Commercial Real Estate Awards Gala. The ceremony at The Palace at Somerset Park will come a year after the death of his father, a longtime industry leader who helped establish the Meadowlands and other areas as top markets for warehouses.
“The commercial real estate community was deeply shaken by the passing of Charles Klatskin last fall,” said Hartz Mountain Industries’ Gus Milano, who serves as NAIOP New Jersey’s chapter present. “Due to the pandemic, we were unable to come together to mourn the loss of a true industry legend. This year is the 20th anniversary of Charles receiving the NAIOP NJ Lifetime Achievement Award, and we are renaming it to honor his memory.”
Alex Klatskin leads Forsgate, a privately held, Teterboro-based firm that has built and owns 10 million square feet of industrial space in New Jersey. He served as the 2011 national chairman of NAIOP and as president of the New Jersey chapter from 2003 to 2004.
NAIOP New Jersey CEO Michael McGuinness said Klatksin was all too deserving of the honor.
“I can’t think of a more meaningful way to honor Charles Klatskin’s memory than to present this award to someone who has earned it at a very young age — his son, Alex,” McGuinness said.
Klatskin joins the association’s previously announced 2021 honorees:
- Impact Award: Peter D. Sudler, chairman and CEO of Sudler Cos.
- Impact Award: Gensler
- Industry Service Award: Joshua Burd, editor of Real Estate NJ
- Caren S. Franzini Public Partner Award: Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin
The annual gala, which was held virtually last year due to the pandemic, traditionally has drawn more than 800 commercial and industrial real estate professionals. This year’s event will be held in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time, while the association is encouraging everyone to be fully vaccinated before attending.
