In his 45-year career, Jonathan L. Mechanic has built a legacy that has been as impactful as the New York City skyline he helped create. Consistently named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful People in Real Estate by Commercial Observer, Jon’s knowledge, experience, credibility, and strong relationships with the real estate market’s most significant players—from lenders to developers to tenants to government officials—have earned him an industry-leading reputation and numerous accolades, making him deserving of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jon’s love for real estate began at the early age of 10, when his father bought a ShopRite in New Jersey to develop into an office building. During demolition, Jon’s father took him to the site and thus began his pursuit of a lifelong career in real estate. Today, Jon and his wife still own properties evolved from projects completed by his father, and his wife is developing a 67-unit multifamily project in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, on a site that has been in his family for over 70 years.