The Broker Brunch

#33 Gabe Marans - The Truth About NYC’s $350B Commercial Real Estate Market

• With Brian Whelan and Mitchel Flaherty • Episode 33

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What’s really happening in New York’s office real estate market?

In this episode of Broker Brunch, we sit down with Gabe Marans, Vice Chairman at Savills, to unpack the truth behind NYC’s $205 billion office sector. With over 20 years of experience and millions of square feet leased, Gabe brings a rare, insider perspective on how office space isn’t just a physical asset — it’s a direct reflection of company culture, leadership, and long-term strategy.

We dive deep into the evolution of Manhattan’s 500 million square feet of office space, explore the shift from flashy trophy towers to mission-driven design, and reveal why top CEOs are ditching the data and leading with intuition.

From office-to-resi conversions to the real dynamics of pricing (from $40 to $200/sqft), this is the episode every real estate operator, broker, and investor needs to hear.


Connect with us on LinkedIn
Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/
Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/

(00:00) Preview and Intro
(01:49) Why Office Design Matters
(07:33) Industry Trends in Office Space Preferences
(09:31) Balancing Productivity and Collaboration in Office Design
(15:00) Gabe’s Journey at Savills and the Evolution of the Firm
(17:01) Collaboration vs. Competition in Modern Brokerage
(19:06) The Power of Long-Term Client Relationships
(21:46) Building a High-Trust, High-Ethics CRE Team
(24:24) CEO Leadership Styles
(27:00) The Disconnect Between Leaders and Employees on Office Needs
(30:33) Comparing NYC Office Culture to Global Cities
(33:02) The Three Major Office Submarkets in Manhattan
(34:45) Debunking the “Office is Dead” Narrative
(35:16) Office Pricing Breakdown: $40 to $200 per SqFt
(38:34) The Truth About Office-to-Residential Conversions
(41:19) Why Office Space is a Strategic Business Tool