Italian Brokers Take Center Stage in New York: The International Real Estate Developers Forum Kicks Off

An international forum dedicated to exploring the New York real estate market and fostering dialogue among industry experts

On December 6, the event “Architecture and Innovation: Opportunities and Italian Real Estate Heritage” was inaugurated at the Italian Cultural Institute of New York as part of the International Real Estate Developers Forum.

The event, organized by ANSVI (Italian National Association of Real Estate Developers), brought together Italian developers and brokers to explore the dynamics of the New York real estate market and promote new opportunities for international collaboration.

The initiative, spanning two days of meetings and exclusive visits, provided participants with privileged access to prestigious properties and the opportunity to engage with industry experts. Key focuses of the event included sustainability, the repurposing of urban spaces, and the enhancement of historic real estate assets—essential themes for strengthening the competitiveness of Italian real estate operations.

The day opened with welcoming remarks from Professor Fabio Finotti, Director of the Institute, who highlighted how Italy’s rich housing tradition has made the country a model for the recovery and preservation of architectural heritage, often achieved through innovative and sustainable methodologies. Following this, ANSVI President Daniele Cattaneo emphasized the importance of adopting an innovative approach to compete on a global scale. “We will return to Italy with new skills and a clearer vision to face future challenges,” said Cattaneo.

Supporting this message was Andrea Mazzaro, Vice President of ANSVI, who reiterated how the U.S. market serves as a vital benchmark for anticipating trends: “Being here means identifying trends and bringing them to Italy, staying ahead of market changes.”

The inaugural debate was moderated by Davide Ippolito, founder of Reputation Research and ilNewyorkese, who led a roundtable discussion featuring prominent guests. Among them, Alex Carini, CEO of Carini Group, shared his insights on opportunities within the New York market, underscoring the importance of quickly and strategically adapting to changes. Lavinia Giuliani Ricci, an expert broker at Brown Harris Stevens, emphasized the key role of strategic partnerships in accessing high-profile real estate opportunities.

The day concluded with a meeting with architect Maja Filipovic Grcic and the presentation of the Real Estate Excellence Award, established to recognize the most significant contributions of the Italian delegation to the real estate sector. This initiative celebrated the participants’ ability to transfer the skills acquired in New York back to Italy, further solidifying ANSVI’s role as a promoter of international excellence.

The second day of the forum granted participants exclusive access to iconic New York properties, including a visit to Hudson Yards, a symbol of the city’s urban regeneration. During this visit, the Italian delegation had the opportunity to closely observe ongoing urban transformation projects, gaining privileged insights into innovative design solutions and environmental sustainability techniques.

The International Real Estate Developers Forum offered participants the chance to engage with outstanding experiences and build strategic connections with key players in the international real estate sector. Through meetings with brokers, developers, and architects and visits to landmark projects in the New York market, participants returned to Italy with a clearer understanding of global challenges and practical tools to address them.

“This initiative proved to be a pivotal moment for enhancing the competitiveness of Italian companies on an international scale,” said Daniele Cattaneo, President of ANSVI. The knowledge gained, combined with the new connections established in New York, represents a significant step forward for real estate professionals, paving the way for innovative, sustainable projects capable of meeting the demands of an ever-evolving market.

Martina Di Licosa

Martina Di Licosa

Martina Di Licosa, raised in Rome, has been living in New York for 5 years. She graduated in Film and Television Production from NYU and has worked with major media organizations such as NBC, CBS, FOX, and Disney. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's in Journalism, Business, and Economics at Columbia University.