Bentley Zhao, Chairman and CEO of New Empire Corp. Bentley Zhao is the chairman and CEO of New Empire Corp., a New York City-based development and construction management firm. Since becoming CEO in 2004, Zhao has overseen the completion of over 120 New Empire Corp. projects, including condominiums, hotels and mixed-use properties, adding over 2,000 units to its portfolio. Under Zhao’s leadership, New Empire handles every aspect of real estate development – from property sour

Top 10 projects total $918M, down from $1.4B in 2024 Shlomi Avdoo of Avdoo, Abraham Leifer of Aview and Bentley Zhao of New Empire Corp (Getty, LinkedIn, Avdoo, Aview, New Empire Corp) New development in New York City’s outer boroughs fell into a lull in 2025.  Elevated interest rates and high land prices have made ground-up development more difficult to pencil out, and Brooklyn and Queens saw scaled-back condo filings in response.  The total unit count of the 10 priciest de

By: Michael Young and Matt Pruznick 8:00 am on January 9, 2026 Foundations are underway at 757 Flatbush Avenue, the site of an eight-story residential building in Flatbush , Brooklyn. Designed by Morali Architecture and developed by New Empire Corp., the 82-foot-tall structure will span 140,000 square feet and yield 131 units. The project will also include ground-floor retail space with 125 feet of frontage. The 40,000-square-foot interior lot is located between Clarkson Ave

While the exterior of Radiant makes a bold architectural statement, the interiors offer a serene counterpoint. Our collaboration with the award-winning Paris Forino  has resulted in a material palette that balances high-contrast geometry with soft, organic warmth. The Culinary Canvas The kitchens at Radiant serve as the heart of the home, featuring a signature soft-blue glass tile backsplash that reflects the light of the East River. Paired with custom light-oak cabinetry an

Long Island City has long been a hub of industrial grit and modern glass, but Radiant  marks a shift toward something more sculptural. Designed by the world-renowned firm ODA , led by Eran Chen, Radiant isn’t just another glass tower—it is a study in dimension. The "More Corners" Philosophy Why settle for a standard box when you can have more? ODA’s design for Radiant focuses on creating a "living facade." By introducing more corners and staggered dimensions, the building of

We just wrapped up an incredible few days at the beautiful Sanctuary at Kiawah Island for The Real Deal’s executive retreat. It wasn’t all just stunning views and coastal breezes—our CEO, Bentley Zhao, was right in the thick of it with fellow industry leaders, diving into "out-there" ideas like Building Robotics, AI-driven pro formas, and the future of luxury development. Between the high-level brainstorming and deep dives into Responsive Architecture, there was plenty of roo

In a recent analysis of Census data, Manhattan and Queens were highlighted as the primary magnets for New York’s management and science professional workforce. But for many of these buyers, the challenge isn't just finding a home—it's finding a home that reflects their lifestyle. The Vision for Centric When we broke ground at 58-01 Queens Blvd , our goal was to create a space that felt like a sanctuary. We knew that our target buyers—doctors, designers, and finance professio

Manhattan and Long Island City see surge in buyers seeking professional-friendly condos. (Courtesy of Rubenstein Public Relations) NEW YORK, NY— Manhattan and Long Island City are drawing the bulk of high-earning, professional buyers as competition intensifies for quality homes in New York City.   Ellen Qian, managing director at One Realty Global, said buyers continue to prioritize location and value.   “They want a beautiful property they call home,” Qian said. Buyers prior

Ellen Qian, Managing Director at One Realty Global The New York City housing market remains hot, with Brooklyn in particular showing impressive gains. The borough posted median and average apartment prices of $840,056 and just under $1.1 million, according to data from real estate firm Brown Harris Stevens. Both were record highs and were up six percent from 2024. Queens also posted a solid performance, with average apartment prices slightly above 2024 levels at $511,007 and