This month’s customer spotlight is shining on Michael Prefi, Senior Real Estate Manager, CBRE. A 26-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry, Michael Prefi manages 32 Old Slip in New York City, which is a Class A Commercial Office Building in Manhattan’s Financial District.
32 Old Slip spans 1.2 million square feet and 36 floors – all of which have breathtaking views of the riverfront. The building is home to 15 tenant companies, primarily in the finance and insurance industries, and features state-of-the-art building systems, versatile and efficient column-free space, and ceilings that soar as high as 16 feet.
Prefi has managed the building for close to seven years, and been a loyal Building Engines client just as long. I recently had the chance to catch up with Michael and ask a few questions:
1. Is there anything you can share about your career path, unique accomplishments, or specific skills?
I’ve mostly worked at large properties with institutional owners, where I specialize in operations, financial management and project planning.
At 32 Old Slip, I was involved in a $50 million Hurricane Sandy restoration, which included the restoration of the building’s infrastructure and lower levels. In addition, capital improvements accomplished to date include lobby renovations, cooling tower and pump system upgrades, and pre-built and full floor tenant build-outs, all valued at $25 million. I also collaborate with leasing brokers in the review and preparation of proposals, lease agreements, and space showings.
In previous roles, some of my accomplishments include LEED certification, asbestos abatements, elevator system upgrades, security upgrades, local law signoffs, electrical restoration, and emergency planning and training.
2. As an executive who’s been in your current role for a while, you seem to have embraced technology. Could you expand on this and tell me what motivated you to do so?
Using a property management system is essential for efficiently tracking your work, benchmarking, and ensuring responsiveness to tenants.
3. What kind of impact has it made for your property?
The COI tracking is great. We used to track them through Excel or Outlook, and looking back now, it seems so archaic. In addition, being able to document tenant service requests and ensure timely responses by building service personnel has increase tenant satisfaction.
4. How important is it for senior real estate professionals to stay current with CRE technology and advances?
It’s critical: you need to stay competitive.
5. How would you characterize your working relationship with the Building Engines team?
The client service and support department is extremely informative and responsive. I also love that the product is very user-friendly.
To learn more about Michael Prefi, please visit his LinkedIn page here.
