Architecture and Construction Panel

Brad Meltzer is a seasoned professional in the construction industry having begun his career at Plaza Construction as a summer intern in 1989. As President, he is responsible for directing the day-to-day activities for the firm’s operations, including strategic development, forecasting, and client management across all of Plaza’s market regions. His portfolio of work encompasses a large range of project types from new out of the ground facilities, to high end interiors and large-scale renovations. In addition to high profile projects in New York City, he has managed over $4 billion of construction projects in South Florida including some of Miami’s highest profile and most complex projects such as One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects, Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami Beach, the four tower Paraiso District, 1 Hotel & Homes Miami Beach, Biscayne Beach, The Marquis, W Hotel South Beach, Aventura Mall Expansion III, and Dadeland Mall Expansion, among many others.

His over 30 years of professional experience in the construction industry coupled with an educational background that includes a master’s in architecture (Tulane University School of Architecture), gives him a unique perspective and extensive understanding of the industry. He brings innovative solutions and informed leadership, successfully meeting clients’ goals with the highest level of quality and integrity. He sees Plaza “Moving Forward” into expanded market sectors and new geographic locations raising the bar with continued growth.

Eran Chen is the founding principal of ODA. Since establishing the office in 2007 he has become one of the most prolific and influential architects in New York. Eran has gained a reputation for delivering imaginative designs that are radically innovative as well as socially, ecologically, and fiscally responsible. Seeking to reorder architectural priorities by putting people first, Eran challenges conventional perspectives of dwelling with hopes that it will, over time, influence life in our cities. Amongst others, his work has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects and the Society of American Registered Architects. Eran graduated with honors from the Bezalel School of Art and Design in Jerusalem, where he serves on the board. He is a frequent speaker at design and development forums around the world, as well as architecture schools including Columbia University, Clemson University, Syracuse University, Carnegie Mellon School of Architecture, and The Technion Israel Institute of Technology.

As Managing Partner, Guy leads our strategic direction and operations, fostering a continual dialogue between our team and the client, patron, and public. He also leads our Corporate and Interior Design practices, with a focus on developing environments that reflect a client's mission and current program, as well anticipated future needs.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Guy was exposed to design at an early age by his father who was in the residential furniture business, and an interior designer. Growing up as a teen during the Space Race, he initially dreamt of being an aeronautical engineer, a path that ultimately led to his discovery and passion for architecture as a mode of seeing, analyzing, and improving the world around us.

With more than three decades of experience in architecture and interior design, Guy is an active voice of the wider design community and has received numerous honors and recognitions for his contributions to the profession.

James K. (Jim) Donaghy is Executive Chairman of the Structure Tone organization, a $5 billion global construction services firm headquartered in New York City. In 2018, the company was ranked in the top 20 on Engineering News Record’s (ENR’s) Top 400 Contractors List.

The Structure Tone organization comprises eight companies who operate independently: Structure Tone, LLC, Structure Tone Southwest, LLC, Structure Tone International Ltd., Pavarini North East Construction Co., LLC, Pavarini McGovern, LLC, LF Driscoll Company, LLC, Govan Brown Associates Ltd. and Ajax Building Corporation. These companies collectively employ over 1,900 professionals across 26 offices throughout the US, Canada, UK and Ireland.

Jim learned the business from the bottom up, holding various positions in operations, estimating and management of STO’s regional offices, and leadership of the executive team for the past 19 years. In addition, Jim spearheaded the creation of a new Board of Directors in 2014 to ensure the right strategic planning, QA/QC, governance, audit, compliance systems and reporting were in place throughout the global organization.

A dynamic and creative leader, Jim personifies the entrepreneurial spirit that is a hallmark of Structure Tone. He plays a key leadership role in setting the strategic direction of this international organization and spearheads innovation within the firm to both better serve his clients and provide an enhanced workplace for Structure Tone employees. When he is not taking on the role of project principal for some of our high-profile
projects and accounts, he is typically working alongside the management teams on strategic plans to ensure a sustainable growth plan for STO.

One of Jim’s passions is developing future leaders. He has championed the implementation of development and training programs and is the driving force behind Structure Tone University (STU). STU is a dynamic internal education and development resource to help define STO career paths and hone both technical and soft skills. Jim also spearheaded numerous innovative projects to ensure the continued improvement of controls, data analytics and service delivery.

Not solely internally focused, as Executive Chairman, Jim ensures the firm’s unwavering commitment to community. Jim is Chairman and an Executive Committee member of the Boy Scout Explorers, which focuses on mentoring high school students through exciting activities and introducing them to the many career opportunities young adults seek to explore. He was the Chair of the Planning Committee for the Board of Trustees of St. Thomas Aquinas College from 2004 through 2010 and sits on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Engineering School of Hofstra University. He is also on the Board of Directors for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-NYC Chapter and Cardinal Dolan’s Executive Committee for Charity.

Jim is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Bachelors’ Degree in Business Administration and has completed the Columbia Business School Senior Executive Program (CSEP). Jim resides in Old Tappan, NJ, with his wife and son.

John Sellery is an American architect and currently the Hong Kong-based Group Managing Director of M Moser Associates. John studied architecture at the University of California at Berkeley and began his professional career working on a wide range of building types, including healthcare, residential and religious.

Deeply influenced by his background as a carpenter during his university days, his approach is akin to that of a “Master Builder”; rather than working purely on the architectural aspect of a project, he leads collaborative, multi-disciplined teams who design, engineer and construct buildings or spaces as a single integrated source of expertise. John has continued to develop and refine this approach at M Moser, in which he has been a partner for the last 25 years.

As Group Managing Director, he works directly with colleagues in M Moser offices across Asia, China, India, the UK and the USA on a daily basis. Since its founding in 1981, the firm has designed and constructed millions of square feet of corporate environments for clients in the financial, legal, pharmaceutical, industrial, high technology and other sectors.

Richard L. Sussman joined Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. in 1995 and is a member with the firm's Transactional Department. Already an experienced transactional attorney, during Mr. Sussman's tenure at the firm his knowledge and experience have solidified his status as a skillful and highly valued practitioner. For Sussman, the goal is creativity, creating solutions to complex problems toward the goal of achieving the objectives of his clients.

Mr. Sussman has had no shortage of opportunities to engage in creative solutions. His wide-ranging and sophisticated practice encompasses all phases of real estate. Over the years, he has been integrally involved as lead attorney in many sophisticated transactions in New York City, the greater metropolitan area, and nationwide.

Mr. Sussman's client base is unusually broad. He represents everyone from individual and institutional developers, owners and lenders to syndicators, investors and brokers. He has structured and negotiated complex transactions involving multi-family buildings and complexes, office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, air and development rights, development parcels and mixed-use facilities. The nature of the transactions on which Mr. Sussman has worked is also diverse, including purchases and sales, partnerships and joint ventures, workouts, and complex leasing and financing.

Notable Work

City Point, Brooklyn: Represented developer in the acquisition of leasehold position, creation of condominium and construction of a market rate residential tower, including construction financing in the amount of $76,000,000. Subsequently, represented owner in permanent financing in the amount of $165,000,000.
Morningside Heights: Represented developer in the acquisition of leasehold position, and construction of an 80/20 residential tower containing, including construction financing in the amount of $75,000,000. Subsequently, represented owner in permanent financing in the amount of $145,000,000.

1031 Exchange: Represented seller of a retail condominium unit on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the sale thereof in the amount of $73,000,000 and subsequent acquisition as part of a 1031 exchange of leasehold position in the City Point project consisting of a mixed income affordable residential tower for a price of $96,000,000 with financing in the amount of $58,000,000.

Willoughby Square, Brooklyn: Represent developer of a subterranean automated garage in the acquisition of a leasehold interest in the site, all financing, construction and development, joint ventures and parking license agreements.

47th Street and Third Avenue: Represented long-time owner of primarily residential building in a $285,000,000 sale.

Development Rights: Represented various entities in the same and acquisition of development rights in various parts of Manhattan.

Lower Broadway: Represented the owner of a building in a long term net lease valued at in excess of $50,000,000 in the triple net lease of an entire building to adapt by the tenant for use as a private membership club.

University: Represented a NYC based university in the $100,000,00 sale of a two (2) buildings in Midtown West and Upper West Side and the acquisition of a building in Greenwich Village for $140,000,000.
Joint Ventures: Represented a family owner in connection with a joint venture with a developer for two (2) properties owned for many years and being re-developed into residential premises with 200+ apartments each, one in Brooklyn and one in Queens.

Roseland, New Jersey: Represented long-time owners of office property in a complex loan workout.

World Trade Center: Represented The Durst Organization in connection with its negotiations with The Port Authority concerning a joint venture with regard to One World Trade Center.

One Bryant Park: Represented The Durst Organization on all phases of its site acquisition, joint venture with the Bank of America, development and financing (both construction and permanent), including $1.3B permanent financing which was a never before done combination of Liberty Bond and CMBS debt within the same debt instrument.

East 79th Street/East 118th Street: Represented The Brodsky Organization in connection with complicated, tri-party transaction involving the construction by The Brodsky Organization of a new facility for CUNY (Hunter School of Social Work) on East 118th Street and CUNY's vacancy of its existing school facility on East 79th Street. Upon vacancy, the existing school facility on East 79th Street will be demolished and a luxury condominium building will be erected.

Chelsea Development: Represented The Brodsky Organization in connection with a number of transactions with The General Theological Seminary, including the acquisition, development and financing of The Enclave Condominium located at 177 Ninth Avenue New York, New York, as well as certain other buildings and development sites owned by The General Theological Seminary.

HYDC - Extension of 7 Train: Represented Extell Development in connection with its negotiations with the City of New York, the MTA and HYDC with respect to an Easement Agreement pursuant to which a new subway station for the 7 line, park and related facilities will be built adjacent to the Javits Convention Center at 34th Street and 11th Avenue.

1212 Fifth Avenue: Represented DFR Realty on all phases of its site acquisition from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, development and construction financing. Negotiations also involved construction on additional sites in connection with a new laboratory facility for Mount Sinai, as well as a new residential tower to be owned by Mount Sinai.

Seventh Avenue: Represented the fee owner/net lessor of a major residential building in connection with a settlement of litigation with the net lessee and take-back of the operational position from the net lessee.

Conversions/Re-organization of Portfolio: Represented a major owner/operator of property in New York City in connection with conversions of partnerships into limited liability companies and re-organization of rights with holders of minority interests.

Commercial Condominium Units: Represented a number of different purchasers who acquired and financed commercial condominium units (occupied and unoccupied) in prime locations in New York City.
Lending: Represented various banking institutions in loans of all varieties: first mortgages, subordinate mortgages, leasehold mortgages, construction loans, credit facilities and mezzanine loans.
Sale of Development Parcel by Receiver: Represented a court-appointed Receiver in connection with the sale of a development parcel in Chelsea.

Gary Gordon, founder and principal lighting designer of Gary Gordon Lighting, has designed innovative, precise, high-quality lighting systems for more than one thousand corporate, institutional, residential, and retail projects. Recognized as one of the world’s leading architectural lighting designers, he collaborates closely with each project team to create lighting systems that are fully-integrated with the architectural design and enrich the original designers’ concepts. The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) has praised Mr Gordon’s work as “displaying high aesthetic achievement backed by technical expertise”.

His primary training as an architect gives Mr Gordon the unique ability to integrate light into the fabric of architecture. He designs not only the lighting, but also the lighting equipment when existing products fail to meet the optical and aesthetic requirements of a project. Attesting to their viability and widespread applicability, all of Mr Gordon’s original luminaire designs are still in production today.

College students and design professionals throughout North America use his influential textbook, Interior Lighting . A frequent speaker to allied professionals on the subject of lighting, Mr Gordon has also taught graduate and undergraduate courses at the Lighting Institute at Parsons School of Design in New York.

Gary Gordon is a Fellow of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), where he has served on the Board of Directors. He is also a Fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), has served on the IES New York Section Board of Managers, and is a Founding Director of the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education. As three-term President of the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP), Mr Gordon established the first national certification program for lighting professionals. The lighting certification (LC) credential is now a model being used throughout the world.