The 15th season of “Building New York: NY Stories” debuted on September 8, 2019

September, 8, 2019: The Korman Family, Larry, Brad & Mark

Brothers, Larry and Brad, representing Korman Communities, guide us through their family's history in real estate: back four generations to Russia, forward to their pioneering of the furnished apartment concept, and development of AKA and AVE brands.

Guest List

Brad Korman Co-CEO, Korman Communities

Larry Korman Co-President, Korman Communities/AKA Hotels

September 15, 2019: Suzanne Denbo Jaffe

Suzanne Denbo Jaffe takes us from Washington DC, U Penn and NYU, studying art history, to New York City and her distinguished careers in finance and government. Ms. Jaffe served on many corporate and advisory boards, and as president of the Women's Forum and the American Jewish Committee.

September 22, 2019: Thomas Cornish

BankUnited COO, Thomas Cornish, and his siblings, were abandoned when he was 2 1/2 years old. Circumstances prevented his adoption from foster care; his mom-to-be packed them up, beginning multi-city bus trips, ending in Miami. After poverty, anger - education, opportunity, success - and, now, giving back.

September 29, 2019: The Life of Lisa and Dr. David Lehr, Told by Lisa Lehr

Lisa Lehr describes her meeting and marriage to David Lehr, MD, physician, scientist, former Dept of Pharmacology chair at NY Medical College with love and affection. Ms. Lehr is a community activist; a ranking officer in the NYPD Auxiliary Police Force.

October 6, 2019: Brian Halpern M.D.

Brian C. Halpern, MD is the first nonsurgical, fellowship-trained and board certified sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Halpern discusses the use of PRP in his practice. Dr. Halpern is also an Emmy Award winner for the documentary "Vietnam: Long Time Coming."

October 13, 2019: David Bagatelle, CIT

David Bagatelle describes himself as a born (Queens) and bred (suburbs) New Yorker, adding that in his career of 30+ years, he has worked only in New York! Football, baseball - sports of choice, busing tables at the King George Diner, NYU graduate school, Republic National Bank, Signature Bank and now, president of New York Metro Markets at Sterling National Bank.

October 20, 2019: Marty Burger, Silverstein Properties

Marty Burger, Silverstein Properties, discusses his earlier career at some of real estate's best known companies. Burger serves as sole CEO, a title he shared with Larry Silverstein, until 2014. Silverstein Properties, well know for buildings at the World Trade Center, are only part of the company's mega portfolio grown to include award-winning hotels and developments in China and Israel.

October 27, 2019 Richard Richman, Richman Group

A goal of The Richman Group is to be "best in class in all sectors in which it participates," and Richard Richman, founder and chairman, guides the company in innovative development - in affordable and luxury housing and financial endeavors.

November 3, 2019: Chef Marc Murphy

Son of a US diplomat, Marc Murphy's childhood was a rollercoaster of countries and schools. An undiagnosed learning disability made education difficult. Murphy's passion for food and love of cooking became his pathway to success.

November 10, 2019: Don Peebles-part I

Don Peebles introduces us to many generations of his close and committed family - and to his journey to founder, chairman and CEO of The Peebles Corporation, a real estate and development investment company. Author of two books, Peebles is active as a political fundraiser and supporter.

November 17, 2019: Don Peebles-Part II

In Part 2/2, Don Peebles continues his journey to founder, chairman and CEO of The Peebles Corporation, a real estate and development investment company, successfully advancing public-private partnerships. Author of two books, Peebles is active as a political fundraiser and supporter.

November 24, 2019: Joseph McMillan

Beginning with small town life: a two bedroom house, one traffic light and a fire house, to his service in the U.S. Army, on to the University of Virginia, Joseph A. McMillan, Jr. talks about his fascination with real estate, construction and development, leading us to his various projects - local and national - as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DDG.

December 1, 2019: Meredith Marshall

Meredith Marshall, co-founder and managing partner of BRP Companies, grew up in Flatbush, played baseball, attended Brooklyn Tech High School, studied engineering, graduated from Columbia University, and is best known for BRP's commitment to developing affordable mixed-income projects.

December 8, 2019: Yvonne Riley-Tepie

December 15, 2019: Brenda Rosen

Brenda Rosen introduces her grandparents from Scotland, England, Ireland. As president/CEO of Breaking Ground, a large developer of safe, affordable housing linked to supportive services, Rosen discusses her commitment: to work to end homelessness.

December 22, 2019: Thomas Cornish

BankUnited COO, Thomas Cornish, and his siblings, were abandoned when he was 2 1/2 years old. Circumstances prevented his adoption from foster care; his mom-to-be packed them up, beginning multi-city bus trips, ending in Miami. After poverty, anger - education, opportunity, success - and, now, giving back.

December 29, 2019: Steven Hornstock

Steven Hornstock - a swimmer, a taxi driver, horse racing magazine columnist, race horse owner, and ex-Helmsley-Spear executive talks about his road to co-managing partner and director of investment sales at ABS Partners Real Estate.

January 5, 2020: Robert Knakal, JLL

Robert Knakal, chairman of New York Investment Sales at JLL. formerly co-founder with partner Paul Massey of Massey Knakal Reality Advisors, street hockey player, UPenn baseball-pitcher, ice hockey enthusiast and deal maker talks about his career

January 12, 2020 Hemali Phatnani, New York Genome Cener

Hemali Phatnani, PhD is Director of the Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease at the New York Genome Center studying ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. An ardent Perry Mason fan, Dr. Phatnani is motivated to search out solutions.

January 19, 2020 Marlene Post

By chance, a neighbor invited Marlene Post, parent, registered nurse to a meeting of Hadassah. The rest is history! And a long list of dedicated service follows:National and International President of Hadassah, board member of UJA, JCRC, Chair of Birthright Israel North America, and more.

January 26, 2020: Kalmon & Neil Dolgin

Kalmon Dolgin Affilliates, a real estate development and investment company, opened as a brokerage business in 1904. Founded by great-grandfather Dolgin, the business continues to be run by the family - fourth generation cousins, Joshua and Grant Dolgin. Dolgin brothers discuss their approach to maintaining a family business.

Guests:

Kalmon Dolgin

Neil Dolgin

February 2, 2020 Robert Nelson, Nelson Management

Robert Nelson, President of Nelson Management Group, a developer, owner and operator of multifamily buildings, credits his father, Daniel - in real estate, recalling dinner table conversation, his dad talking "shop," for his own career in real estate. Nelson likes being "a half-hour car ride" from his properties and prefers investing in New York City.

February 9, 2020 Marcy Syms

Activist. author, philanthropist, known for the motto - "an educated consumer is our best customer" - Marcy Syms, former CEO of Syms Corp and president of the Syms Foundation talks about working in a family business and succeeding as an entrepreneur.

February 16, 2020 Ofer Cohen

Growing up in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Ofer Cohen, founder and president of TerraCRG tells us why he chose to do business only in Brooklyn! A member of the Br...

February 23, 2020: Robert Weisz & Andrew Weisz

Robert P. Weisz has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of RPW Group, Inc. since he founded it in 1980. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Robert Weisz arrived in the United States in January 1977 and started a career in the furniture industry. In 1979, he purchased his first warehouse to house his furniture company; and by 1980, Weisz was intent on creating his own commercial real estate business. Helping the company grow in the 21st century is his son Andrew Weisz, Andrew is an Executive Vice President of RPW Group and is responsible for directing the firm’s real estate investment and leasing activities. In this role, Andrew is actively involved in sourcing new acquisition opportunities and leading the execution of business plans.