On June 21st, 2012, the American Friends of Rabin Medical Center, along with Jones Lang LaSalle and Silverstein Properties, held their Annual Exclusive Celebration of New York Real Estate Development at 7 World Trade Center. The sponsors and hosts of the event were Peter Riguardi, New York Region President of Jones Lang LaSalle and Yoron Cohen, Vice Chairman of Capital Markets in New York for Jones Lang LaSalle.

The event was sold out with two hundred and fifty guests in attendance. The exclusive networking event celebrates the revitalization of downtown Manhattan, held on the tenth floor of 7 World Trade Center. Attendees were treated to close-up views of 1 World Trade, the rising Fulton Transit Center and the reflecting pools at the 9/11 memorial.

The event began with participants taking a private tour of the 9/11 memorial with lead designer Michael Arad of Partner Handel Architects. Those on the tour gladly braved the heat for this once on a lifetime opportunity in order to learn more about Arad’s vision to commemorate the tragedy of 9/11.

Following the tour, a networking reception at 7 World Trade center included a speech by Janno Lieber, President of the World Trade Center Properties, LLC, in which he drew a parallel between the work of Yitzhak Rabin and that of renewing downtown. Janno declared,

“Rabin was a bold leader for Israel just as downtown needs bold leaders.”

After his speech, an uplifting movie on the progress and future of the World Trade Center site was shown. His message resonated with guests of the event, as its’ overall goal was to benefit the future Emergency and Trauma Center at Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel.

Yoron Cohen presented the 2011’s Most Innovative Real Estate Deal of the Year award to Mitchell L. Konsker, Vice Chair of Jones Lang LaSalle, and to Alexander M. Chudnoff, Executive Managing Director of Jones Lang LaSalle, for Li & Fung USA’s leasing of 594,000 square feet at the Empire State Building.

The program concluded with Barry Cohen, chair of The American Friends of Rabin Medical Center’s Executive Committee, in which he shared an update and movie on the future Emergency and Trauma Center at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center.

The event included a silent auction, equipment appeal, live entertainment, and dinner. Notable sponsors include Jones Lang LaSalle, Skaden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, The Durst Organization, Malkin Properties, Hampshire Hotels & Resorts LLC, Ariel Property Advisors, and Newmark Grubb Knight Frank.

The Annual Celebration of Real Estate Development was a huge success, and all who attended were treated to a memorable evening.