The 47th Real Estate and Construction Industries Dinner Dance was held at the Hyatt hotel on Saturday December 10, 2016 with cocktails beginning at 6:30 PM. The night which was referred to as “A Winter’s Evening” certainly was-with temperatures reaching into the low 20’s. The event raised funds for the world-class research and compassionate patient care at National Jewish Health, the largest respiratory hospital in the nation. National Jewish Health is an academic medical research facility located in Denver, Colorado specializing in respiratory, cardiac, immune and allergic disorders. It was originally founded in 1899 to treat tuberculosis.
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| Andrew Giuliani – son of Rudy with Zivile Rezgyte |
However, the evening was all about having fun with the theme being “An Enchanted Evening” and everything about this night was enchanting: starting with the entertainers dressed as princesses and elves accompanied by beautifully lit tables and ornamentation; the fantastic band and singers; the delicious meal of short ribs and lamb chops and the illustrious guest list. When I stepped into the Hyatt ballroom it looked like Disneyland with all the beautiful costumes and elaborate colors.
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| Larry Silverstein head of Silverstein properties, Cathy and honoree Gary Jacob, Executive Vice President of Glenwood Management |
The guest list was just as fantastic with honoree Gary Jacob, who is the executive Vice President of Leonard Litwin’s Glenwood Management, one of the largest providers of upscale rental residences in New York City, garnering a group of Real Estate heavy hitters that was unparalleled. There was a dapper Larry Silverstein, in black-tie, who chaired the dinner along with Stephen Siegel, President of CBRE’s Global brokerage, and Real Estate moguls Joseph Moinian, Robert Knakal, and famous Real Estate lawyers Jonathan Mechanic and Robert Ivanhoe.
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| Tiffany Trump in Dennis Basso with boyfriend Ross Mechanic |
Tiffany Trump who is dating Jon Mechanic’s son, Ross, dazzled in a strapless Dennis Basso gown and her pleasant demeanor was equally refreshing. Another Trump relative, Nicole Kushner, sister of Jared, attended with her husband Joseph Meyer and the two of them remained low-key and unpretentious despite their movie star looks and significant pedigree. Stephen Siegel, who is a legend in the brokerage industry, was one of the chairs of the event and has been involved with the dinner for over 22 years. His wife, Wendy, has leukemia, and has been a pulmonary patient at National Jewish Health as well as a major supporter helping them to raise $44 million over the past 22 years.
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| Left to right: Wendy Mechanic, Chairman of Fried Frank Real Estate Jonathan Mechanic, dinner Co-chair Wendy Siegel, and CEO of National Jewish Health Michael Salem |
Wendy, who spoke at the dinner, is one of those amazing woman with an indomitable spirit, recalling how she recently woke up after a five-day coma due to pneumonia, and was saved by National Jewish Health. Wendy continues to tirelessly raise money for the hospital which has also helped her husband Stephen who suffers with severe asthma. Michael Salem, CEO of National Jewish Health, said the organization was seeking to cure severe asthma in the next couple of years and to develop a vaccine for allergies. Salem said they were also focused on stopping the progression of emphysema and remained the only institution where “lungs and breathing were the center of the universe.”
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| Ann Ivanhoe in Roland Mouret, and Robert Ivanhoe co-chair of Greenberg Traurig Real Estate |
Robert Ivanhoe, one of the chairs of the evening, introduced Gary Jacob, who is a committed community service volunteer, chairman of the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District and New York Chair of Israel Bonds – just a few of his extracurricular gigs. Gary, was presented with the humanitarian award and has been coming to this event for 40 years-thanking the organization for changing the lives of people every day. Gary and his wife Cathy have started a fund at the National Jewish Health for the research and care of patients with autoimmune diseases. Gary who was married two weeks ago, had the glow of a newlywed and the band played the song “Unforgettable” as Gary and his new bride took to the dance floor to celebrate-joined by his friends and co-workers.
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| Nazee Moinian in Oscar de la Renta and Real Estate titan Joseph Moinian |
It was later announced that $2 million had been raised at the dinner along with an additional one-half-a-million contributed by James and Marjorie Kuhn for respiratory health. Moreover, Matthew Lustig, Managing Principal at Lazard Real Estate, was inducted as a newly minted trustee – an honor and responsibility.
After some enthusiastic dancing and an opulent dessert table, guests headed home before the clock struck midnight – a magical conclusion to a fairy tale evening.
– Lieba Nesis
