John A. Sobrato, founder of the Sobrato Organization, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential real estate developers, building a multibillion-dollar portfolio that houses many of the world’s leading technology companies. After selling one of the Bay Area’s earliest tech office parks in the 1970s, he expanded aggressively into commercial and multifamily properties across the region, creating a dominant privately held enterprise now managed alongside the second generation. A dedicated philanthropist, Sobrato has devoted much of his wealth to education, housing, and community development, with the family pledging to give away the majority of its net worth, solidifying his impact on both the business and social fabric of Northern California.

Jerry Speyer, cofounder and chairman of Tishman Speyer, is one of the most influential real estate developers of the modern era, shaping skylines across New York, major U.S. cities, and global financial hubs. Since launching the firm in 1978 with his father-in-law, Robert Tishman, Speyer has overseen iconic projects such as Rockefeller Center, the MetLife Building, and Frankfurt’s MesseTurm, while expanding the company’s portfolio to more than 200 million square feet of office, residential, and mixed-use assets worldwide. Known for his disciplined investment approach, civic leadership, and long-term urban vision, Speyer remains a defining figure in institutional real estate.

Jeff Sutton, founder and president of Wharton Properties, is one of New York City’s most powerful retail real estate owners, known for assembling a blue-chip portfolio through off-market deals and long-term tenant relationships. Starting from modest beginnings, he built his empire by securing prime Manhattan corners and partnering with luxury brands and national retailers such as Nike, Zara, and American Eagle. Sutton’s strategy—favoring ground-floor retail in irreplaceable locations and maintaining conservative leverage—has made Wharton Properties a dominant force in high-street retail and one of the most valuable privately held real estate portfolios in the city.

Jay Paul, founder of the Jay Paul Company, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential and discreet real estate developers, known for creating some of the region’s most valuable and sought-after corporate campuses. Since the 1970s, he has transformed underutilized land into cutting-edge office complexes occupied by tech giants such as Google, Amazon, and Apple, while reshaping skylines with projects like San Francisco’s landmark 181 Fremont tower. Renowned for his long-term vision, premium building standards, and exceptional tenant relationships, Paul has built a multibillion-dollar empire that underpins the infrastructure of the modern tech economy—all while maintaining a notably private personal profile.

Igor Olenicoff, billionaire real estate developer, is the founder and owner of Olen Properties, a privately held company with a vast portfolio of commercial and residential properties across the United States. Based in Newport Beach, California, Olen Properties controls tens of millions of square feet of office space and thousands of rental units, with a strong presence in California and Florida. Known for his aggressive growth and hands-on management style, Olenicoff has built one of the nation’s largest private real estate empires while maintaining a low public profile.

Roy Carroll II, founder, president, and CEO of The Carroll Companies, has built a diversified real estate empire spanning multifamily housing, commercial developments, self-storage, and luxury communities. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, the privately held company oversees billions in assets with projects across the Southeastern United States. Known for his entrepreneurial drive and long-term investment vision, Carroll has positioned his firm as a leader in regional real estate while also supporting civic and philanthropic initiatives that strengthen local communities.

David Simon, chairman, CEO, and president of Simon Property Group, has led the company to become the largest shopping mall operator in the United States and a global leader in retail real estate. Taking over leadership in the mid-1990s, he steered the Indianapolis-based firm through major acquisitions, including the purchase of Taubman Centers, and successfully navigated challenges posed by e-commerce and shifting consumer trends. Under his guidance, Simon Property Group has maintained dominance with hundreds of malls and premium outlets, while Simon himself has earned a reputation as one of the most influential executives in American real estate.

Herbert Simon, billionaire real estate developer, is chairman emeritus of Simon Property Group, the largest shopping mall operator in the United States. Alongside his late brother Melvin, he expanded the Indianapolis-based company into a global retail real estate powerhouse, with hundreds of malls and premium outlets worldwide. Under his leadership, Simon Property Group grew into a publicly traded giant and a bellwether of the retail industry. Beyond real estate, Simon is also known as owner of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and as a philanthropist supporting education, culture, and community development.

George Marcus, Greek-American real estate mogul, is the founder and chairman of Marcus & Millichap, one of the largest commercial real estate brokerage firms in the United States. Since launching the company in 1971, he has expanded it into a nationwide powerhouse specializing in investment sales, financing, research, and advisory services. Beyond brokerage, Marcus also cofounded Essex Property Trust, a publicly traded REIT focused on West Coast multifamily housing, cementing his influence across both transactional and ownership sides of the real estate industry.

David Walentas is the self-made real estate developer behind Two Trees Management, the Brooklyn firm that transformed Dumbo and Williamsburg from industrial decline into high-end residential and creative districts. A University of Virginia alumnus, Walentas began with a small Manhattan partnership in 1968 and leveraged $12 million to acquire nearly 2 million sq ft in Dumbo, reshaping it through bold vision and rezoning advocacy.

David Lichtenstein is a self-made real estate billionaire who founded The Lightstone Group in 1988. He began with a single multifamily unit and grew his firm into a diversified empire—owning 25,000 apartments and over 15 million sq ft of retail, industrial, hotel & life-sciences properties across 25+ states, with more than $9 billion in managed assets. He led major deals such as acquiring Prime Retail malls ($638 M) and Extended Stay Hotels ($8.1 B) and is active in civic service and board leadership across New York institutions. 

David Hoffmann founded and served as long-time chairman of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, a global multi-sector family office managing over 200 businesses in real estate, hospitality, logistics, agriculture, media, and more. A self-made billionaire who began DHR International—now the world’s largest privately held executive search firm—after mortgaging his house, Hoffmann has used his wealth to revitalize communities like Augusta, Missouri.

Charles S. Cohen is a billionaire real estate developer and film industry entrepreneur who transformed Cohen Brothers Realty—founded by his family—into a 12 million sq ft commercial portfolio spanning Manhattan, Los Angeles, Houston, and Florida. He also founded the Cohen Media Group in 2008 to preserve and distribute independent and French films, eventually acquiring iconic arthouse theater chains like Landmark Theatres and Curzon Cinemas.

Bruce Toll co‑founded Toll Brothers in 1967 with his brother Robert, turning it into a Fortune 500 homebuilder specializing in luxury housing across 24 states. As vice chairman—and principal of family office BET Investments—he now manages a real estate empire spanning six million sq ft of commercial space, 3,000 apartments, automotive dealerships, biotech ventures, and a portfolio reaching billionaire status.

Bernard Saul, II is an American billionaire and real estate entrepreneur, serving as Chairman & CEO of Saul Centers since 1993. An heir to the historic B.F. Saul Company—a mortgage and property firm founded in 1892—he transformed the legacy business into a publicly traded REIT managing 9 million sq ft across Washington DC–area office and retail properties, and sold Chevy Chase Bank to Capital One in 2009.  

Ben Ashkenazy is an Israeli‑American real estate billionaire who founded Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation in 1987, now overseeing a $12 billion global property portfolio. Known for strategic landmark deals like stakes in New York’s Plaza Hotel, Boston’s Faneuil Hall, and London’s Grosvenor House, he’s raised fresh capital to pursue discounted acquisitions—cementing his reputation as a bold, shrewd titan in commercial real estate.  

Barry Sternlicht is the billionaire founder, chairman & CEO of Starwood Capital Group and Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), overseeing over $120 billion in global real estate assets. He also founded Starwood Hotels, creating iconic brands like W Hotels and St. Regis. A passionate industry leader, he’s known for blending revenue-driven growth with hands-on hospitality strategy—and for his vocal views on market cycles and Fed policy.

Axel Stawski is an American billionaire real estate developer and founder of Stawski Partners, a New York City–based firm. A Holocaust survivor’s son with a PhD in international law, he has built a portfolio of Manhattan office buildings and luxury condos since 1973, including the notable 565 Fifth Avenue. His low-profile but focused approach continues to shape prime urban real estate.

Arturo “Arte” Moreno is the first Mexican‑American to own a major U.S. sports franchise after purchasing the Anaheim Angels in 2003. A self‑made billionaire, he built his fortune in billboard advertising—expanding Outdoor Systems into an $8 billion sale—then transformed the Angels into a $2.7 billion-plus franchise. His leadership spans sports, media and community investment.