ALCHEMY PROPERTIES - Key Persons
Alexander Horn co-founded Alchemy Ventures in 2014 and oversees property management, tenant relations, field staff operations, building maintenance and leasing. Alchemy Ventures has been directly responsible for the acquisition, financing, and repositioning of over 500 apartments in 50 buildings in New York City over the last 7 years. Prior to founding Alchemy Ventures, Alexander worked in various roles throughout the real estate industry. Most recently he worked at First American Title Company as an Account Executive. Prior, Alexander was an investment sales broker with HPNY and CPEX Real Estate.
Alexander graduated from Hartwick College with a degree in English. Outside of the office Alexander is actively involved in New York Cares, a non-profit offering tutoring and mentoring for inner city youth.
Job Titles:
- Development Project Manager
Andrew Filkoff joined Alchemy Properties in 2019 and assists in all aspects of the firm's pre-development and development phases. Andrew's most recent projects include 278 8th Ave, 35XV and the Woolworth assisting with construction, design and acquisitions. Before joining Alchemy Properties, Andrew worked at Hart Howerton. Some of his past projects included an 80-acre resort in Lenox, MA and a half mile beach resort in the Cayman Islands. Andrew is a registered architect in New York and a graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Architecture and Minor in Real Estate.
Job Titles:
- Senior Development Project Manager
Anna Zimmerman joined Alchemy Properties in the fall of 2011 and oversees all aspects of the development process from pre-development through project completion. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the University of Pennsylvania's Masters of City Planning program, she started her Real Estate career working with an affordable housing non-profit developer in Philadelphia, assisting in the pre-development and tax credit program processes. For Alchemy, Anna worked on the ground up build of The Sackett Union condominium and townhouses, 35XV luxury condominium high-rise and most recently completed the residential conversion of The Woolworth Tower Residences, a beloved NYC landmark, into ultra-luxury condominiums. Currently, Anna is managing the day-to-day development and construction process for 378 West End Avenue.
Job Titles:
- Senior Acquisitions & Development Associate
- Senior Associate - Acquisitions & Development
Benjamin Charles joined Alchemy Properties and Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners in 2017 and is involved in all aspects of the firm's projects including, due diligence, underwriting, acquisitions and development. Prior to joining the company, as an undergraduate, Benjamin gained valuable experience in real estate and private equity as an intern at both The Witkoff Group and Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. At Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc., Ben worked on various development projects including the acquisition and development of 50 Hudson Yards. Ben graduated with honors from New York University in 2017 with a concentration in real estate development and social entrepreneurship.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder / Operating Partner
- Partner - Acquisitions & Development
Blake Goodman has worked in New York real estate since 2006 and over that time has been involved in the acquisition, design, filing, and construction of over 1,750,000 square feet of residential and retail real estate. Since joining Alchemy in 2011, Blake has managed the design construction and development processes for 378 West End Ave, 35XV, Sackett Union, Griffin Court, Hudson Hill and 303 E 77th St Condominiums. Blake has specialized in the acquisition and construction management of ground up construction projects. Before joining Alchemy, Blake practiced architecture for five years in New York and Washington, DC. He received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University and a M.S. in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.
Job Titles:
- Development Project Manager
Brendan Vogt joined Alchemy Properties in 2021 and assists in all phases from pre-development through project completion. He is currently involved in the early stages of several projects in the New York metropolitan area and the Southeast. Prior to joining Alchemy Properties he was an architect at Foster + Partners, where he worked on the design and construction of a 3 million-square-foot office tower at Hudson Yards and a financial services headquarters on Park Avenue. His experience also includes ground-up residential condominium developments and conversions of historic properties. Brendan received his Master of Architecture from Columbia University and previously majored in Art History at McGill University. He is a registered architect in the State of New York.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Managing Partner
- Principal
Brian Ray is Co-Founder, Managing Partner and Principal of Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners as well as ABR Partners, LLC, his family holding company.
Brian is responsible for overseeing the company's day-to-day acquisition, development and operating activities including sourcing deals, capital raising, financing, and joint venture structuring, as well as asset and project management. Throughout his twenty plus year career, Brian has acquired, developed, and managed properties with a value exceeding $3B.
Prior to founding ABR Partners in 2006, Brian spent more than a decade working with a variety of New York City real estate companies including RFR Holding, Tishman Speyer, and Inlet Capital.
At RFR Holding, Brian was actively involved in the acquisition, development, and asset management of a wide range of projects including 40 Bond Street, 25 Fifth Avenue, 122 Greenwich Avenue, Gramercy Park Hotel & Condos, Lever House, Seagram's Building, Empire Condominium, 125 Fifth Avenue, Charter Oak Partners Portfolio, Miracle Mile Shops Las Vegas, 95 & 99 Wall Street, 980 Madison Avenue, W South Beach, Bank of America Plaza SC, White Birch Paper, 67 Vestry Street, and Emerald Dunes Country Club, West Palm Beach, FL. At Inlet Capital, an affiliate of RFR, Brian represented the interests of developers in matters involving senior and junior mortgage debt, corporate mezzanine and subordinated capital, corporate financing, private equity and asset management. His efforts also included asset management, underwriting and financial analysis for the NYLIM-GCR mezzanine fund.
At Tishman Speyer, Brian oversaw property and asset management for various Class A Manhattan office properties including One Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller Center's British & French Buildings, 600 Fifth Avenue, 375 Hudson Street, 300 Park Avenue and 237 Park Avenue. He also actively participated in the pre-development of the Hearst Tower, 222 East 41st Street and 101 West End Avenue; the acquisitions of Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Center, 300 Park Avenue and 666 Fifth Avenue; and the repositioning and redevelopments of the Rockefeller Center retail complex as well as the disposition of Gateway Center in NJ.
Brian is an alumnus of George Washington University and holds a Master of Science degree in Real Estate Finance and Development from New York University where he was a recipient of NYU's 2002 Lambda Alpha International Service Award for his contributions to the community, university, and program. He currently serves on the Advisory Boards for both the George Washington University Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis and the New York University Schack Real Estate Institute, where he was an Adjunct Professor of finance and development. Brian is actively involved in professional and charitable endeavors including REBNY, ICSC, ULI, UJA, and State of Israel Bonds. He lives in Manhattan with his wife Allison, their daughter Sammie and son Max.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner - Acquisitions & Development
Chris Gherlone serves as a Partner of the firm overseeing Acquisitions & Development. As such, he is involved in all due diligence, financing and underwriting activities. Prior to joining ABR Partners in 2014, Chris was an investment management and acquisitions analyst at Monday Properties, a real estate owner-operator, where he helped manage a 10-million-square-foot office portfolio based in New York and Washington, D.C.. He received a BS with honors in Finance and Accounting from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College and an MS in Real Estate Development from NYU where he finished at the top of his class.
Job Titles:
- Senior Development Project Manager
Chris Jessip joined Alchemy in 2021 and oversees development projects from pre-development through construction and project close-out. Prior to joining Alchemy, Chris was involved in the design, execution and turn-over of several ground-up development projects in New York City, most notably 200 East 59 th Street and 432 Park Avenue while at Macklowe Properties. Chris started his career in architecture working for John Chonka Projekt in Phoenix, Arizona and HLW International in New York City. Chris received a B.S. in Architecture from Arizona State University and a M.S. in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.
Job Titles:
- Property Manager
- Alchemy Ventures As Their Property Manager
- Property Management
Christian Malota joined Alchemy Ventures as their Property Manager in 2021 and oversees leasing, tenant relations and building operations for the Brooklyn portfolio. Christian graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2015 with a degree in Finance. Previously, Christian worked for a large management company located in the Bronx. Christian is extremely knowledgeable in all areas of property management and works closely with new building acquisitions.
Job Titles:
- Director of Public Relations and Marketing
- in 2021 As Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Ellen Vigilante joined Alchemy Properties in 2021 as Director of Public Relations and Marketing where she oversees the pubic relations, and assists on sales and marketing on projects such as The Woolworth Tower Residences and 378 West End Avenue.
Ellen has over 15 years of advertising and marketing experience in the real estate industry having worked at firms including Douglas Elliman and The Corcoran Group, as well as a boutique sized marketing consulting agency where she represented real estate clients. Before joining Alchemy Properties, Ellen was Marketing Manager at The Corcoran Group where she managed the accounts of Corcoran's top grossing agents, that combined generated over $1 billion in annual sales.
Ellen is a graduate of Montana State University with a B.S. in Business - Marketing and is a licensed real estate salesperson in New York.
Job Titles:
- Development Project Manager
Emily Pfaffenbach joined Alchemy Properties in 2018 and assists with the firm's property development as an Assistant Development Manager. Her most recent projects to date are Two Fifty West 81st and The NOMA. Emily has five plus years of general construction experience. Prior to joining Alchemy Emily worked as an Assistant Project Manager with Skanska USA Building where she helped manage a variety of projects including residential, commercial, and laboratory spaces. Some of her past projects include a residential 17 story tower and 6 floor loft with 346 apartments, a Nanoscale Science Research Microscopy Lab, and a 20,000 SF Cancer Research Lab. Emily is a graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Job Titles:
- Office Manager
- in 2014 As a Field Administrator
Jalaine Denis joined Alchemy Properties in 2014 as a Field Administrator and is now the firm's Office Manager. Jalaine's most recent projects to date are 35XV (field), Two Fifty West 81st, The NOMA, 211 E. 43rd St, Bedford Playhouse & The Woolworth Tower Residences (administrative). Jalaine assists in an administrative capacity with Construction Insurance on all projects. Jalaine graduated from Monroe College with a BBA in Business Administration.
Job Titles:
- Director of Capital Markets
In 2019 Jedd Horn joined Alchemy Properties as Director of Capital Markets to oversee and manage the company's investor base and source new equity and debt relationships.
Prior to joining Alchemy, Jedd worked at Cushman & Wakefield and Colliers International, focusing on retail leasing and sales. As a broker, Jedd completed significant transactions on behalf of both landlords, (The Durst Organization, Rose Associates, Union Investment, Harbor Group, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, UDR Inc.), and tenants, (GoHealth, Crunch Fitness, Zaro's Bakery, JP Morgan Chase).
During his tenure with the company Jedd has facilitated financing for the recapitalization of 378 West End Avenue, the construction loan for 278 8th Avenue, as well as helping to source the capital stack in acquisitions throughout North Carolina, Wynwood, Miami and the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
A graduate with distinction from Indiana University's School of Public Environmental Affairs, Jedd received a Certificate in Urban Studies and a Certificate in Real Estate Investment from the Schack Institute of Real Estate at NYU. He is a member of ICSC, REBNY, and the Urban Land Institute and served as Co-President of the Young Professionals' Board for the Catalog for Giving.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Partner
- Principal
Joel Breitkopf, Principal of Alchemy Properties, has been in the real estate industry his entire professional career. Joel is involved in all aspects of Alchemy's developments and investments including acquisition, finance, design, construction, marketing and strategic planning and is a principal of Alchemy - ABR Investment Partners which acquires existing commercial buildings in select major markets. He joined Alchemy in 1993. Previously, he was an executive at Commercial Bank of New York and was Vice President of Acquisitions and Finance for Himmel+Meringoff Properties. In this capacity he oversaw opportunistic acquisitions and structured bank workouts in the early 1990's. Joel was also a real estate loan officer at Chemical Bank Realty and, prior to that, an analyst at LaSalle Partners, a national real estate advisor.
In 2013, Joel started a music therapy program for Veterans with PTSD, called Healing our Heroes, at the Music Conservatory of Westchester where he is now the President of the Board of Trustees. He was also President of B'nai B'rith Real Estate, and has been affiliated with numerous other industry groups and charities. Joel has financed well over $2 Billion in real estate transactions and has acquired over 3,500,000 square feet of real estate during his career. He has lectured at the Yale University School of Architecture, the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton Graduate School of Business, Cornell University and has been an Adjunct Professor at New York University's Master's Program in Real Estate. Joel is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics.
Job Titles:
- Senior Development Project Manager
Joseph Alexander joined Alchemy Properties in 2022 to spearhead the ground-up, Plaza District office development at 125 West 57 th Street. Most recently he served in a similar capacity for 100 Vandam Street, a 170,000 SF, 72-unit condo development in Hudson Square and the conversion from office to multifamily of 20 Exchange Place, 70 Pine Street and 63/67 Wall Street, all landmarked Art Deco towers in Manhattan's Financial District.
A licensed New York State architect, he previously worked at SHoP Architects and Pei Cobb Freed and Partners on projects including the Goldman Sachs headquarters, The Nascar Hall of Fame Museum and Fitterman Hall. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Masters in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.
Job Titles:
- Sales & Marketing Manager
Kathleen Avalos joined Alchemy Properties in 2015. Kathleen's most recent projects to date have been: 35XV, The Woolworth Tower Residences, The NOMA, and 378 West End Avenue. Kathleen is a Sales and Marketing Manager at Alchemy Properties. She thoroughly embraces her work and prides herself on being relatable, resourceful, attentive, and respectful of others. A Queens native, she revels in New York City life and holds a genuine interest for new development. She is a graduate of Hunter College, where she received a B.A. in Literature, and is licensed as a Real Estate Salesperson in New York.
Job Titles:
- Alchemy Corporate Communications Director
- Alchemy in 2013 As Director of Public Relations and Media
Katie joined Alchemy in 2013 as Director of Public Relations and Media where she worked on all aspects of the firm's project public relations, branding and marketing efforts for pre- and post-development. Katie's projects included Two Fifty West 81 st, The Woolworth Tower Residences, The NOMA and 35XV Condominium. Presently, Katie oversees Alchemy Corporate Marketing for the entire Alchemy brand.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Founder
- Partner
- President
- Member of the New York State Bar
Since founding Alchemy in 1990, Ken Horn has been actively involved in development and other aspects of real estate in the metro area. At Alchemy, Ken has been directly responsible for the acquisition, strategic development, financing, construction, renovation, marketing, and conversion of over 3,000 apartments, including the ground-up or rehab of more than 30 residential and retail buildings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Job Titles:
- Partner - Marketing & Design
Lauren Mantia joined Alchemy Properties in 2005 and has more than 15 years of experience in residential real estate development. As Vice President of Design and Marketing she is involved in all aspects of Alchemy's development projects with managerial responsibilities for pre-development, design, legal, sales, marketing and leasing.
Lauren has brought to market more than 1,000,000 square feet of real estate covering 14 projects in Manhattan and Brooklyn, including The Woolworth Tower Residences, Two Fifty West 81st, 35XV Condominium, The NOMA Condominium, Sackett Union Condominium, Griffin Court Condominium and 378 West End Avenue. Additionally, she oversees asset management, leasing and marketing for Alchemy-ABR's investments.
Lauren is a graduate of Bucknell University with a B.A. in Economics and Biology. She is a licensed real estate salesperson in New York.
Lauren Mantia joined Alchemy Properties in 2005 and has more than 15 years of experience in residential real estate development. As Vice President of Design and Marketing she is involved in all aspects of Alchemy's development projects with managerial responsibilities for pre-development, design, legal, sales, marketing and leasing.
Lauren has brought to market more than 1,000,000 square feet of real estate covering 14 projects in Manhattan and Brooklyn, including The Woolworth Tower Residences, Two Fifty West 81st, 35XV Condominium, The NOMA Condominium, Sackett Union Condominium, Griffin Court Condominium and 378 West End Avenue. Additionally, she oversees asset management, leasing and marketing for Alchemy-ABR's investments.
Lauren is a graduate of Bucknell University with a B.A. in Economics and Biology. She is a licensed real estate salesperson in New York.
Since joining Alchemy in 2005, Lindsay formerly held her position as Vice President of Finance and a development associate. Presently, Lindsay acts as the firms Human Resource Manager. She is responsible for all HR systems, employee training and development, compliance, records management and payroll to name a few. Lindsay has developed a holistic view of the real estate development and investment business having been involved in the finance side of our acquisitions and construction. Lindsay graduated Magna Cum Laude from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Science in Financial Economics.
Job Titles:
- VP - Acquisitions & Development
Madeline Burbank joined Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners in 2017 and is involved in all aspects of the firm's projects including acquisitions, development, investor relations, asset management and leasing. Previously, Madeline was a Senior Associate for the New York Investment Sales, Capital Markets Group of Cushman & Wakefield, where she facilitated over $1B in real estate sale transactions and was responsible for business execution, due diligence, research, underwriting and marketing support. Madeline graduated summa cum laude from the University of Richmond, earning her B.S.B.A degree with Concentrations in Finance and Marketing and a Minor in Geography. She is a licensed real estate salesperson in New York.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance
- Director - Finance
As Director of Finance, Michael leads the organization's accounting and reporting functions and oversees all debt and equity requisition reporting directly to the principals. He is responsible for project budgeting, overseeing of Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable, and banking relations. Michael graduated from Caldwell University, earning his B.A. in Accounting and Criminal Justice while playing Division II College Baseball.
Michael Sturman joined Alchemy Ventures in 2023 and is involved in all aspects of the firm's projects including acquisitions, capital markets, due diligence, and asset management. Prior to joining the company, Michael was a Vice President at OceanFirst Bank, where he originated and structured over $320,000,000 in real estate loans. Michael graduated from Syracuse University in 2016, with a concentration in finance and real estate.
Samuel Kooris co-founded Alchemy Ventures, an affiliate of Alchemy Properties, in 2014 and oversees its acquisitions, financing, asset management, investor relations, construction management, budgeting and office operations. Alchemy Ventures has been directly responsible for the acquisition, financing, and repositioning of over 50 buildings in New York City over the last 7 years. The portfolio is valued in excess of $400,000,000. Sam has recently expanded the Alchemy Ventures presence into Kansas City, MO where we have amassed a portfolio valued at $165,000,000. Prior to founding Alchemy Ventures, Sam worked at Rosewood Realty Group. At Rosewood, he was directly involved with brokering over $125,000,000 of multifamily and mixed-use real estate over a five year period. By valuing and analyzing properties, completing many transactions with different buyers and sellers, and learning the boroughs, Sam gained multi-faceted experience which has enabled the success of Alchemy Ventures to date. Sam graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a finance degree and holds his NYS Brokers License. Sam has completed NYU continuing education courses and is involved in RSA, CHIP, UJA, NYPEN and YJP. Sam lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children.
Job Titles:
- Senior Sales Director
- SALES
Timothy McCarthy joined Alchemy Properties as a Senior Sales Director in 2016. Prior to joining, he was an integral part of a top-producing and very well-respected sales team that focused on both new development and resale listings. His responsibilities include implementing and overseeing all sales and marketing strategies from the pre-development phase through closings at Alchemy's new development condominiums throughout NYC.
Projects currently on the market that Tim actively sells/oversees are; Two Fifty West 81st, a limited collection of twenty-eight homes on the Upper Westside designed by Robert AM Stern; The NOMA at 50 West 30th Street, fifty-five luxury condominiums in a sculptural Neo-Bauhaus tower located in NoMad; and The Woolworth Tower Residences at 2 Park Place, thirty-two residences designed by Thierry W. Despont atop a celebrated New York landmark located in Tribeca. In addition, he is a NYC Condo and Coop resale specialist. On the personal side, Tim is an accomplished Ironman triathlete and avid marathon runner, frequently competing at top worldwide events including the NYC Marathon each Fall. He has lived in and around NYC for his entire life and prides himself on his family, network and local knowledge which all contribute to his sustainable success in NYC's highly competitive real estate world.