News: Financial Digest

REFA hosts 27th Annual Gala October 8 Westin Copley Place

Bryan Koop, Boston Properties Bryan Koop, Boston Properties

Boston, MA On Thursday, October 8, REFA celebrated their 27th Annual REFA Gala with over 550 Members and guests at the Westin Copley Place. Bryan Koop, senior vice president and regional manager, Boston Properties was the recipient of the Robert S. Swain Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Koop joined an elite list in the real estate community of past recipients; most recently Pam Herbst of AEW Capital Management in 2014, mayor Thomas Menino in 2013, Joe Fallon of the Fallon Company in 2012, Thomas Hynes of Colliers International in 2011, and Thomas DeSimone of WS Development in 2010. REFA has also recognized three families over the course of the award’s history. The REFA Gala has long been a celebration of the organization’s accomplishments, as well as recognizing an individual who has made significant contributions to the real estate industry and Greater Boston community.

Friday morning, September 11, the Real Estate Finance Association held it’s Fall Conference presentation at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. Pictured (from left) are: panelist Bryan Blake of Calare Properties; keynote speaker Hans Nordby of CoStar Portfolio Strategy; panel moderator Heather Brown of Jones Lang LaSalle; panelist Deane Dolben of The Dolben Company; and panelist Rick Griffin of the R.J. Kelly Company. Friday morning, September 11, the Real Estate Finance Association held it’s Fall Conference presentation at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. Pictured (from left) are: panelist Bryan Blake of Calare Properties; keynote speaker Hans Nordby of CoStar Portfolio Strategy; panel moderator Heather Brown of Jones Lang LaSalle; panelist Deane Dolben of The Dolben Company; and panelist Rick Griffin of the R.J. Kelly Company.

Falling on the heels of the REFA Gala, members of REFA can attend a Members Only Luncheon on a project update on North Station. A panel of Boston Properties leaders will share their plans for North Station, a 1.8 million s/f mixed use development. Panelists include 27th Annual REFA Gala Distinguished Service Award Recipient Bryan Koop, senior vice president; Patrick Mulvihill, director, leasing; and Kevin Sheehan, vice president, development. The program will be held on October 20 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. and will be held at Mintz Levin, One Financial Center. This program is designed for members-only.

On October 27 as part of REFA’s Industry Leaders Series, REFA welcomes Stephen Kenny, senior vice president and division executive for commercial real estate banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch as the keynote speaker. The breakfast will be held at Goulston & Storrs on 400 Atlantic Ave., Boston from 7:45 – 9:15 a.m.

On October 29, REFA will be holding a program on Center Plaza’s redevelopment project. The program will be moderated by Doug Husid co-managing partner, Goulston & Storrs. Panelists include: Paul Doyle, senior vice president, HSBC, USA, N.A.; Peter Gori, director, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank; Kevin Kennedy, first vice president, CBRE Brokerage: Haril Pandya AIA, LEED AP, principal, CBT Architects and Matthew Knisely, managing director, Shorenstein Properties LLC. The program will be held at Two Center Plaza from 7:45 – 9:15 a.m.

To learn more about REFA including membership, events, and ways to get involved, please visit us at www.refa.org. Follow REFA on Twitter @REFABoston.

MORE FROM Financial Digest

Preservation of Affordable Housing secures $23.5 million in financing from Rockland Trust and Citizens Bank

Cambridge, MA The nonprofit Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) has secured $23.5 million in financing from Rockland Trust and Citizens Bank to transform a 150-year-old, underutilized church complex into housing. The project will ultimately create 46 affordable family-sized apartments.
READ ON THE GO
DIGITAL EDITIONS
Subscribe
Columns and Thought Leadership
Conn. hospitality market: A technical appraisal perspective on market dynamics and valuation challenges (2019-2025)

Conn. hospitality market: A technical appraisal perspective on market dynamics and valuation challenges (2019-2025)

The Connecticut hospitality market has demonstrated uneven recovery patterns between 2019 and 2025, with boutique and historic properties achieving $125 RevPAR in 2025, up 8.7% from the 2019 level. Coastal resort properties achieved a $105 RevPAR in 2025, representing 10.5% growth since 2019. Casino corridor properties maintained modest growth with RevPAR improving 4.5% to $92 in 2025.
Examples of investors who used Kay Properties for legacy and estate planning purposes for rental property/portfolios - by Dwight Kay

Examples of investors who used Kay Properties for legacy and estate planning purposes for rental property/portfolios - by Dwight Kay

Preserving wealth across multiple generations requires strategic planning, foresight, and the right investment vehicles. Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) offer a powerful solution for families looking to build and protect their financial legacy and to efficiently plan for their estate.