Simone Development Companies, Stagg Group are AI Sponsors of Bronx Chamber Gala Featuring Anything is Possible Theme, Robot Emcee

Humanoid Master of Ceremonies Shows Possibilities of AI at Bronx’s Largest Business Event

(Bronx, NY – October 1, 2024) – Anything is Possible was the theme as The Bronx Chamber of Commerce held its 21st Annual Gala on September 19 at Marina del Rey in the Throggs Neck section of the borough. The 2024 Gala showcased the transformative advancements made possible for commerce in the Bronx and beyond by artificial intelligence, featuring SOPHIA, an AI-powered humanoid Master of Ceremonies created by Hanson Robotics. Bronx-based developers Simone Development Companies and Stagg Group served as AI sponsors for the event.

Bronx Chamber Gala

“The Bronx Chamber is thrilled to be the first association to feature the one-of-a-kind SOPHIA and provide an experience for the Chamber network to experience her vast capabilities, demystifying AI and demonstrating its potential to fuel the growth of our business community,” said Lisa Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “More than 600 members, partners and supporters gathered together to recognize the contributions of our honorees with an eye toward the future of commerce in our borough and beyond.”

SOPHIA, a humanoid robot that served as emcee for the event, was developed by scientists at Hanson Robotics with a persona “combining cutting- edge work in symbolic AI, neural networks, expert systems, machine perception, conversational natural language processing, adaptive motor control and cognitive architecture.” She is able to recognize human faces, see emotional expressions, and express her own human-like emotional responses. She can generate her own ideas and behaviors, while holding meaningful conversations with people. She is designed to serve real world uses in medicine, education, and scientific research.

The program was co-hosted by Michael Max Knobbe, Executive Director of BronxNet Community Television, and featured a live performance by Bronx-born singer Steven Maglio as well as other local entertainers.

“Simone Development Companies is proud to support the ongoing work of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and to highlight, along with our co-sponsor Stagg Group, the limitless potential of artificial intelligence as a tool for business growth,” said Joe Simone, president of Simone Development Companies. “The annual Chamber gala offers a wonderful opportunity to recognize our fellow businesses and celebrate the fact that anything is possible when we work together.”

The 2024 Bronx Chamber Gala honored four organizations who have demonstrated their commitment to strengthening the Bronx business community through their distinct contributions:

  • D&J Transportation – Business of the Year
  • Monroe University – Community Organization of the Year
  • Lemle & Wolff Companies – Developer of the Year
  • Amazon – recipient of the Joseph P. Kelleher Award of Excellence

“Our honorees this year exemplify the innovation, dedication, and resilience that drive the Bronx forward,” said Anthony Mormile, Chairman of the Bronx Chamber Board of Directors. “Each has made a unique impact on our community that we are proud to celebrate. As we honor their achievements, we are also excited to showcase the future of commerce with SOPHIA, who embodies the potential of technology for business. This event not only reflected on past successes, but also looked ahead to the limitless possibilities that AI can bring to our borough.”

Special thanks were extended to the 2024 Gala Sponsors:

  • Bronx AI Sponsors: Simone Development Companies, Stagg Group
  • Bronx Champions: Amazon, D&J Transportation, Lemle & Wolff
  • Bronx Partners: DoorDash, Bally’s Casino, Monroe University
  • Bronx Supporters: Affinity by Molina Healthcare, KZA Realty Group, Ponce Bank, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, Orange Bank & Trust Co., Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy, Montefiore, RiteCheck, Kasirer, and Eye Mind Strategies

The annual Gala raises vital unrestricted funding for the Bronx Chamber, with 100% of all contributions supporting its business and economic development programs.

2024-10-02T11:04:09-04:00October 1, 2024|

Intricate Bay Partners Signs Long-Term Lease at One Sound Shore Drive in Greenwich, CT

GREENWICH, CT (September 18, 2024) – Simone Development Companies and Fareri Associates announced that Intricate Bay Partners signed a long-term lease totaling 2,021 square feet of executive and administrative office space at One Sound Shore Drive in Greenwich, CT.

One Sound Shore Drive, Greenwich, CT

One Sound Shore Drive, Greenwich, CT

Simone Development Companies and Fareri Associates were represented by Newmark’s James Ritman and Allan Murphy alongside in-house leasing and legal teams while Newmark’s Janey Steinmetz represented Intricate Bay Partners.

“We are very pleased to welcome Intricate Bay Partners to their new Greenwich location at One Sound Shore Drive,” said Joanna Simone, President of Leasing and Property Management Operations at Simone Development Companies. “Given our close proximity to I-95, the Cos Cob train station, and downtown Greenwich, we feel that this is a prime location for Class A office users in the area.”

The property is currently undergoing interior cosmetic renovations and there are just two remaining office suites available: 1,277 square feet of space on the first floor and 4,763 square feet on the second floor.

One Sound Shore Drive is a 65,000-square-foot Class A multi-tenant corporate office building. Convenient, striking and highly visible, this beautifully landscaped 3-story office building features a Wi-Fi lounge, outdoor seating, and ample indoor and outdoor parking. There is direct highway access adjacent to Exit 4 off of I-95. The building is within walking distance to the Cos Cob train station with easy access to downtown Greenwich shops, restaurants and banks.

2024-09-25T16:12:55-04:00September 18, 2024|

Simone Development Announces KOLAMS: Memories and Patterns Exhibit at The Gallery of ARTFul Medicine

Shanthi Chandrasekar Explores the Meditative and Mathematical Beauty of Traditional Kolam Art, Creating Patterns that Intertwine Cosmology, Neuroscience, and Anatomy

BRONX, NY (June 5, 2024) – Simone Development Companies announced the opening of Shanthi Chandrasekar’s KOLAMS: Memories and Patterns exhibit at The Gallery of ARTFul Medicine, located in the lobby of Simone Development’s Hutchinson Metro Center’s Tower One at 1250 Waters Place in the Bronx. Ms. Chandrasekar’s unique and very personal exhibition is now open to the public and will run through September 6th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

KOLAMS: Memories and Patterns exhibit, Photo Credit: Lori Adams

Shanthi Chandrasekar’s KOLAMS: Memories and Patterns exhibit at The Gallery of ARTFul Medicine (Photo Credit: Lori Adams)

Ms. Chandrasekar is a multidisciplinary artist who experiments with drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and papermaking. She has also been trained in the traditional art forms of Kolam and Tanjore-style painting. While many of her works are influenced by her Indian heritage, Ms. Chandrasekar’s true inspiration comes from the mystery and majesty of the world around her; her muse lives at the intersection of the scientific and the spiritual.

“My artistic journey is a search toward understanding life and its place in the cosmos- questioning everything around me, exploring new ideas and experimenting with mediums, to create work that combines ancient traditions and current science,” said Shanthi Chandrasekar. “Making art is a thought provoking, contemplative and meditative process for me.”

Kolam is a traditional Indian drawing done by women in front of their homes at dawn and dusk as a daily ritual. For Shanthi Chandrasekar, Kolam took on new significance upon her move to the US, serving as a means to cope and navigate her new surroundings while reconnecting with her heritage. Inspired by the teachings of her mother and grandmother, Ms. Chandrasekar views the dots in Kolam as life’s challenges and the patterns as paths to navigate them. The repetitive drawing process is both meditative and intellectually stimulating, revealing mathematical aspects like geometries and fractals. KOLAMS: Memories and Patterns intertwines themes from cosmology, neuroscience, and anatomy, making it a profound and multifaceted medium of expression.

“We are thrilled to present Shanthi Chandrasekar’s exhibit at the Gallery of ARTFul Medicine,” said Jodi Moise, director of the Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Einstein. “The exhibit both showcases the intricate beauty and cultural significance of traditional Kolam art and highlights Shanthi’s unique ability to blend this remarkable ancient practice with modern scientific concepts and her own personal journey. Visitors will be captivated by the work’s depth and complexity; it’s an honor to host such a thought-provoking exhibit.”

The Gallery of ARTFul Medicine encourages artists to interpret scientific/medical research and create works of art depicting issues of cultural, political, and technological significance. The Gallery is a key component to Montefiore’s Fine Art Program and Collection, an innovative visual arts program that fosters a life-affirming, restorative and supportive environment for patients, families, caregivers, students, faculty, and staff. Montefiore’s Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Einstein is now one of two healthcare entities with art programs featured on the Bloomberg Connects app.

“Shanthi’s KOLAMS: Memories and Patterns perfectly embodies our vision for the gallery by merging cultural heritage with contemporary scientific exploration,” said Joe Simone, president of Simone Development Companies. “Her work is a testament to the power of art to inspire and heal, making it a wonderful addition to our space.”

2024-06-13T13:37:44-04:00June 11, 2024|

Dello Russo Laser Vision Inks 3,000 SF Lease for First Westchester County Location at Simone Development’s 71 Nardozzi Place

71 Nardozzi Place, New Rochelle, NY

71 Nardozzi Place, New Rochelle, NY

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 8, 2024) – New Rochelle residents will soon be seeing things more clearly, as Simone Development Companies announced that Dello Russo Laser Vision has signed a lease for 3,000 square feet of retail space at 71 Nardozzi Place in New Rochelle, NY. This is the clinic’s first location in Westchester County. Dello Russo Laser Vision joins LA Fitness, My Salon Suite and PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf) in the complex. The property is also adjacent to several popular retailers including Costco, Home Depot, CVS, Bank of America, and Land Rover & Jaguar.

Katelin Van Voorhis and David Scotto of RM Friedland represented ownership in the lease negotiations, while Dello Russo Laser Vision was repped by Marshall Wade of Conquest Advisors.

Dello Russo Laser Vision is a dedicated LASIK center that’s performed LASIK eye surgery since the 1990s when the first Dello Russo Laser Vision center opened in Bergenfield, NJ. With multiple locations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, New Jersey, Westport CT and now Westchester County, each eye care center is outfitted with a dedicated top-of-the-line surgical suite.

“We are delighted to welcome Dello Russo Laser Vision to their very first Westchester location at 71 Nardozzi Place,” said Joanna Simone, President of Leasing & Property Management Operations at Simone Development Companies. “Our property’s convenient location just off I-95 with abundant parking and a mix of service-oriented and experiential retail make this an ideal home for medical tenants.”

“We have some of the most experienced and dedicated LASIK surgeons in the Northeast along with a unique position in the market as one of most respected and well-known practices in the tri-state region and the largest family-owned practice in the country. We now look forward to providing outstanding LASIK care to patients in Westchester County in this wonderful new space,” said Dr. Jeffrey Dello Russo, CEO of Dello Russo Laser Vision.

The adjacent building has remaining medical/retail space available for lease, with 20,224 square feet available at 80 Nardozzi Place as well as 8,890 square feet at 110 Nardozzi Place. Both are divisible.

2024-05-15T13:33:33-04:00May 15, 2024|

Simone Development Signs 10,300 SF in New Leases at Hutchinson Metro Center in The Bronx, NY

BRONX, NY – December 13, 2023 – Simone Development Companies has signed two new long-term leases totaling 10,300 square feet of medical and office space at the Hutchinson Metro Center in the Bronx, NY.

North Bronx Orthopedic and Spine Group has signed a long-term lease for 5,121 square feet of medical and office space at 1200 Waters Place while MJHS Health System (MJHS) has signed a long-term lease for 5,179 square feet of office space at Tower One at 1250 Waters Place. Simone Development Companies was represented by in-house leasing and legal teams for both transactions. North Bronx Orthopedic and Spine Group was represented in-house and CBRE’s Bill Jordan represented MJHS.

hutchinson metro center new leases

With roots dating back to 1907, MJHS is a premier not-for-profit provider of quality care across the greater New York area, including: home care, hospice and palliative care for adults and children, as well as Isabella and Menorah Centers for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care. Elderplan, which offers Medicare Advantage plans and HomeFirst, its managed long-term care plan, are also members of the MJHS family. MJHS is committed to helping care for, support, and guide patients, residents, and members of all backgrounds along their healthcare journeys and to closing gaps in care.

North Bronx Orthopedic and Spine Group is a fully licensed orthopedics and spine group providing outpatient care.

“The Hutchinson Metro Center, our mixed-use campus of medical, office, retail, hospitality and academic space, is currently home to over 80 leading businesses, healthcare and educational institutions as well as federal, state and city agencies, and we are thrilled to welcome North Bronx Orthopedic and Spine Group and MJHS to our tenant roster,” said Joanna Simone, Principal & President of Leasing and Property Management Operations for Simone Development Companies.

Tower One at 1250 Waters Place at Simone’s Hutchinson Metro Center is a 285,000-square-foot Class A building with nine floors of prime medical, office and retail space, as well as conference centers and abundant free and valet parking and 24/7 security. In addition to MJHS Health System, Tower One is home to various other medical offices including Montefiore Medical Center and Motion PT. The property is also home to the popular Tower Café.

1200 Waters Place is a 433,000-square-foot modern building with three floors of Class A medical, academic, and office space as well as various amenities including a landscaped courtyard, fitness center, a teleconference center and free parking. North Bronx Orthopedic and Spine Group is joined at the property by major tenants including Mercy College and several city, state, and federal agencies.

2023-12-21T15:07:06-05:00December 13, 2023|

Simone Development’s 63,000 Square-Foot Retail Center at 260-262 Boston Post Road in Port Chester, NY, Is Now Fully Leased with the Signing of Two New Leases Totaling 4,485 SF

boston post road development fully leased

PORT CHESTER, NY (December 12, 2023) – Simone Development Companies has signed two new leases totaling 4,485 square feet of prime retail space at Post Road Plaza at 260-262 Boston Post Road (US Route 1) in Port Chester, NY. The 63,000 square-foot retail center is now fully leased.

Mercadito Farm has signed a new long-term lease for 3,485 square feet. It is a farmer’s market offering fresh produce, poultry, meat, fish, cold cuts, and other customary foods found in grocery stores, as well as beer and wine coolers.

H&R Block, the worldwide tax preparation company, has leased 1,000 square feet.

Representing Simone in both deals was Scott Meshil and Karnit Mosberg Royal Properties, Inc.

Located minutes off of I-95 and I-287 with close proximity to the Hutchinson River Parkway, Post Road Plaza was recently renovated, with new pylon signage, and includes free parking with parking lot upgrades in progress. In addition to anchor LA Fitness, existing tenants include European Wax Center, Mattress Firm, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Domino’s Pizza, Subway, Nailed It Spa, Pet Spa Center, Ella’s Beauty Lounge, and Wei Wong Kitchen.

“We are very pleased to have fully leased this 63,000-square foot retail center with a mix of service retail, national chains, and local businesses. Its close proximity to major highways and abundant free parking makes this an attractive location for today’s leading retailers,” said Joanna Simone, Principal & President of Leasing and Property Management Operations for Simone Development Companies.

2023-12-21T15:13:14-05:00December 12, 2023|

Simone Development Companies Acquires Former Bronx Supermarket Building for Planned Logistics Facility Conversion

BRONX, NY – October 6, 2023 – Simone Development Companies has acquired a property at 1720 Eastchester Road in the Morris Park section of the Bronx from Madison International Realty for an undisclosed price. The new owners plan on repositioning the property as a much-needed warehouse, distribution and logistics center for the East Bronx.

1720 Eastchester Road

The 186,298 square-foot logistics center at the corner of Eastchester Road and Waters Place, adjacent to Simone Development Companies’ 1.4 million square-foot Hutchinson Metro Center, formerly housed a 63,000 square-foot one-story Stop & Shop supermarket, a liquor store and a Subway restaurant.

Jonathan Squires, Managing Director in the Investment Sales Group at Cushman & Wakefield, along with Josh King, represented the seller in the sale. The new owners were represented by Simone Development Companies Senior Vice President of Development Megan Guy, Vice President of Development Brian Reardon, Vice President of Leasing Josh Gopan and in-house legal team of Dina Gupta and Sean Heneghan in the negotiations.

“This transaction was over four years in the making and incredibly complicated,” said Mr. Squires of Cushman & Wakefield. “We were grateful to have Madison International Realty as an extremely competent seller and Simone Development Companies as a buyer who comprehended the transaction and simplified the process due to their confidence in the property and their understanding of the local market.”

The 186,298 square-foot industrial logistics center features expansive outdoor parking, 18’ clear ceiling heights, multiple loading docks and drive-in doors. The property offers convenient access to local highways, and LaGuardia Airport, JFK and Westchester County airport can also be easily reached via a 17-, 25-, or 34-minute car ride, respectively.

“Centrally located within the NYC Metro Market, this location offers unprecedented access to all surrounding areas,” said Mr. Gopan. Simone Development has engaged Jonathan Squires, Josh Kleinberg, Josh Neustadter, Austin Weiner and Joe Hentz, Jr. of Cushman & Wakefield as the exclusive agents for the property.
“The East Bronx, particularly the neighborhoods of Morris Park, Williamsbridge, Pelham Bay and Throggs Neck, are in critical need of modern last-mile warehouse distribution centers to serve the growing delivery needs of these well-established residential communities,” said Mr. Reardon. “Simone Development Companies has decades of experience in the development, operation and leasing of industrial properties throughout the tri-state region and looks forward to the delivery of a modern facility at this site.”

About Simone Development Companies
Simone Development Companies is a full-service real estate investment company specializing in the acquisition and development of healthcare, mixed-use, office, industrial, retail and residential properties. Headquartered at the Hutchinson Metro Center, it boasts a portfolio of over 7 million square feet throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Long Island, Westchester County, Orange and Fairfield Counties and New Jersey. With expertise spanning acquisition, development, construction, finance, asset management, accounting, leasing and property management, Simone Development Companies is set apart by its vertically integrated management team, long-term asset ownership and its pursuit of visionary development.

2023-10-09T14:43:22-04:00October 6, 2023|
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