Real Estate visionary to lead NYC effort to build culture of health for all – Joe Simone named Centennial Chair of the 2024 Heart of New York City campaign
New York, NY, September 20, 2023 —Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, has been named Centennial Chair of the American Heart Association’s Heart of New York City, a year-round effort aimed at investing in and saving and improving lives in the five boroughs. The Heart of New York City culminates with the Heart of New York City Gala in June, an event that celebrates progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support this community-wide campaign.
“The American Heart Association is dedicated to the extension of life through a commitment to science, education, improving medical care and leading with prevention. This is why I am honored to serve as Chair of the 2024 Heart of New York City campaign and look forward to celebrating the impact we will make,” said Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, and member of the American Heart Association New York City Board of Directors. “I am eager to work with our outstanding team of volunteer leaders and the American Heart Association as we all advocate to make a difference in the well-being of everyone in this community. Together we must continue to strive to do everything we can to make a lasting, positive impact on the health of all New Yorkers.”
In 2024 the American Heart Association will celebrate its centennial year, meaning that Mr. Simone will have the special distinction of serving as the Heart of New York City campaign’s Centennial Chair. Mr. Simone will also serve on the prestigious American Heart Association New York City Board of Directors from July 2023 through June 2025.
“The American Heart Association has worked to save and improve lives since 1924—and it’s just getting started,” Simone said. “I invite all New Yorkers to join us in celebrating the American Heart Association’s transformative impact over the past century and building a second century of equitable health for all.”
The American Heart Association’s centennial is a celebration of the lifesaving achievements and shared vision for a bold second century that will exponentially advance heart and brain health. The Association will continue to lead breakthroughs in science and technology, improve healthcare and advocate for federal, state and local policies that drive healthier lifestyles.
“Joe understands the impact the mission and work of the American Heart Association can have on every person who lives in this area. We welcome him to the Heart of New York City, an initiative that centers around better health for every individual by focusing on critical issues and work to equitably improve and save lives,” says Meg Gilmartin, Executive Director and Senior Vice President, American Heart Association, New York City.
The 2024 Heart of New York City Gala is sponsored by Simone Development Companies, and Compass One Healthcare. It is slated for June 2024 at venue TBD. The annual celebratory event is a night to honor survivors, patrons and volunteers of the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health. The evening will feature stories from survivors, as well as dinner, dancing and an exciting auction. For more information on how to support or attend the Heart of New York City Gala, visit the campaign website or contact sydney.hoffman@heart.org.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
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.
Life Science Forum Reveals How Computing Will Help Developers Convert Office Buildings To Research Labs
Advanced computing will facilitate the conversion of outdated office buildings into life science laboratories, said Joseph Simone of Simone Development Companies.
“Life science laboratories are becoming less reliant on Bunsen burners and faucets in favor of advanced computers. This ‘drying’ of wet labs means that owners of older office buildings or warehouses have new opportunities to reposition their properties for the medical research sector,” said Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies.
At the March 29 Crain’s New York Business Life Science Forum in New York City, Dr. Ayman El-Mohandes, Dean of the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, said computers are dominating his institution’s lab spaces. El-Mohandes explained that equipment for cutting-edge research no longer requires a messy wet-lab environment, allowing for a greater flexibility of uses in office buildings near research centers and universities.
Hope Knight, Commissioner of Empire State Development, New York’s economic development agency, also spoke at the forum. Knight described New York’s $25 million investment in a pilot “Lab of the Future” in Midtown Manhattan that will rely on automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning to make the preclinical drug discovery process faster, fuel business growth and create more life science jobs. Knight noted that 10 percent of the nation’s cancer patients are in New York, which allows researchers to gather important data that can make New York a leader in the cell and gene therapy space.
“The exciting investments and advances discussed at the Crain’s Life Science Forum are a signal to healthcare real estate developers that we can successfully repurpose existing structures for the labs of the future,” said Danielle Contillo, Principal at 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 services 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.
Joseph Simone Calls New York’s Workforce Development Essential for Life Sciences Real Estate Growth
New York’s planned investments in life science workforce training centers will help stimulate real estate development, said Joseph Simone of Simone Development Companies.
“New York is successfully attracting life science startups. The challenge now is to build talent pipelines to train the necessary workforce that will enable the state to achieve its employment goals,” said Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies. “State investments in the New York City regional workforce development plan ensure that growing life science companies seeking real estate in the tri-state area will find the right workers to fill new laboratories and facilities.”
The Long Island Investment Fund recently announced its intention to fund a life science workforce development training center. One of the fund’s goals is to supercharge the life sciences ecosystem in the region by developing workers with in-demand skills.
LifeSci NYC has a similar role in the five boroughs, and one target area is in the Bronx at the Montefiore-Einstein Accelerated Biotechnology Research Center (EMBARC), located across the street from Simone Development Companies’ Hutchinson Metro Center. EMBARC is a biomanufacturing operation focused on cell, gene, and antibody production. LifeSci NYC will invest $20 million to build a diverse pipeline of life sciences talent.
Simone Development Companies has anticipated growth in Morris Park’s biotech talent pool by planning for a live-work-play environment at the Hutchinson Metro Center, a mixed-use medical-office complex where future construction may include life science labs, housing, and destination retail catering to the employees of companies that grow out of EMBARC. This emerging innovation hub will be connected to New York City’s life sciences network by Metro-North’s future Morris Park train station, which will provide quick access to Penn Station in Manhattan.
“Since 2018, biotech research and development companies have increased employment by more than 8,000 people in the New York City metro area, an almost 20 percent increase. “Industry leaders say this growth will continue, and our Hutchinson Metro Center is well positioned to meet the increased demand for real estate that can accommodate life science facilities and workers,” said Megan Guy, Simone Development Companies’ Senior Vice President of Development.
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 services 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.
Simone Development Acquires Healthcare Condominium at The Charleston at 225 East 34th Street in Manhattan
BRONX, NY (April 11 2022) — Simone Development Companies a full-service real estate investment company specializing in the acquisition and development of healthcare, office, retail, industrial and residential properties, has expanded its Manhattan healthcare portfolio with the purchase of a 12,000 square-foot medical condominium at 225 East 34th Street in Manhattan for $11.15 million.
Ryan Perkowski and John Martisch of RPR Ventures represented the seller, Neuro Real Estate LLC. Simone Development was represented by legal counsel Brian Sampson, Erica Nazarian and Jared Van Vleet from SVNS Partners on the acquisition and financing.
The property is 100% occupied under long-term lease by NYU Langone and is located on the first floor of The Charleston, a 191-unit luxury residential building in Murray Hill. NYU Langone’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, one of the largest epilepsy centers in the county, has operated at the property since the building was completed in 2007.
“We are proud to add this healthcare property located in such a prominent location in Midtown Manhattan to our portfolio and are pleased to be part of a long-term relationship with NYU Langone, one of the country’s premier medical systems,” said Joseph Simone, president of Simone Development Companies.
The acquisition is the third Manhattan medical condominium acquisition by Simone Development over the past several years. Other locations include the Park Avenue Medical Arts Center at 62 East 88th Street and the healthcare condo at Manhattan House at 260 East 66th Street.