In his early 20s, Ben Bernstein began assembling what is now a $1-billion portfolio in Brooklyn before Millennials thought about leaving Manhattan. The RedSky Capital founder, who started buying up properties on the heels of the Great Financial Crisis, has demonstrated an abundance of both New York-style grit and foresight, along with the ability to execute on deals. He launched his strategy of long-term holds, primarily in multifamily and retail, at a challenging time in the market, when investing in commercial real estate looked like a dicey proposition.

Those are just some of the reasons we chose Bernstein to be one of the New York 2018 Next Generation Award winners. Connect Media’s second annual Next Generation Awards recognize young leaders in the commercial real estate industry who are likely to be influential for years to come.

Having established a track record of success across Brooklyn, Bernstein then turned his attention to Miami’s now-trendy Wynwood/Arts District, before it went by that name. Along with homegrown tenacity, he also has demonstrated an ability in both markets to bring on significant institutional investors and sell even the most sophisticated outsider on RedSky’s ability to execute. This persistence, coupled with Bernstein’s ability to connect with many different kinds of people—whether they’re partners, investors, city officials or otherwise—has been a major contributor to his and RedSky’s success.

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