-- As New York City’s commercial real estate market undergoes major shifts driven by interest rate fluctuations, regulatory changes, and a reimagining of land use, Bob Knakal, Founder and Chairman of BKREA, has been named to the Commercial Observer’s 2025 Power 100 List. The honor marks a return to the spotlight for one of the industry’s most prolific dealmakers at a time when expertise and data-driven decision-making are in high demand.
Knakal, widely regarded as a leading voice in investment sales, has long championed a model that merges long-range data analysis with hyper-local knowledge. “We’re not just reacting to the market—we’re interpreting it through a lens built over four decades,” Knakal said. “Owners need strategic clarity more than ever, and that starts with consistent information and relationships.”
BKREA, which launched just over a year ago, reflects a larger trend in commercial brokerage toward more agile, insights-focused firms. The company has assembled a 15-person team and represents over $2.5 billion in exclusive listings. Notable 2024 transactions include Avdoo & Partners Development’s $52 million acquisition on Second Avenue and Gateway Realty’s $21.3 million purchase of a Midtown asset on Seventh Avenue.
COO Seth Samowitz, whose first role at the firm signaled a non-traditional brokerage structure, emphasized the shift. “What we’re seeing across the industry is a demand for actionable intelligence,” he said. “CRE firms are being asked to go beyond marketing and act as strategic advisors, especially when timing and zoning can change everything.”
The firm’s Midtown office features the “Knakal Map Room”—a comprehensive mapping of every Manhattan development site south of 96th Street on the East Side and 110th Street on the West Side. It functions as both a market archive and a collaboration space, frequently visited by investors, city planners, and developers seeking a clearer view of where the market is heading.
Knakal’s inclusion on the Power 100 list comes as he reaches a personal milestone: the sale of his 2,351st building. While the accolade recognizes individual achievement, it also points to a larger movement within the brokerage industry—where transparency, specialization, and data fluency are increasingly the new standard.
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