Rick Caruso, founder and CEO of Caruso Affiliated, is one of America’s most prominent real estate developers, best known for building ultra-premium retail and mixed-use destinations that blend luxury, design, and community experience. A former attorney and civic leader, Caruso developed landmark projects in Southern California such as The Grove, Americana at Brand, and Palisades Village, redefining high-end experiential retail at a time when traditional malls declined. Known for meticulous attention to detail, brand curation, and long-term asset quality, he has built a real estate empire centered on place-making. Caruso has also become a high-profile public figure through philanthropy and political involvement in Los Angeles.

Richard Peery, founder of the Peery family real estate enterprise, built one of Silicon Valley’s most influential commercial property portfolios by specializing in high-quality office and industrial developments in Northern California. Known for acquiring and developing strategic assets near the world’s leading technology corridors, Peery helped shape the physical infrastructure that supported the region’s growth for decades. Operating with a low public profile, he expanded through long-term ownership, disciplined management, and a deep understanding of location-driven value. Peery is also recognized for philanthropy supporting education, community development, and civic initiatives.

Richard LeFrak, chairman and CEO of LeFrak Organization, leads one of America’s most enduring real estate dynasties, overseeing a vast portfolio of residential, commercial, and mixed-use assets. Building on the legacy of his father Samuel LeFrak, he expanded the family’s holdings across New York, New Jersey, and Florida, including landmark developments such as Newport in Jersey City. Known for long-term ownership, disciplined capital deployment, and large-scale urban development, LeFrak has shaped major waterfront and city-center projects while maintaining the firm as a privately held powerhouse.

Richard Kurtz, founder and chairman of Kamson Corporation, built a major privately held real estate company specializing in multifamily and mixed-use properties across the Northeastern United States. Starting with a focus on apartment ownership and management, Kurtz grew Kamson through disciplined acquisitions, property repositioning, and long-term operational control, creating a large portfolio spanning residential communities and commercial assets. Known for quiet execution and a patient, cash-flow-driven strategy, he has maintained Kamson as a durable family-led platform through multiple real estate cycles.

Richard Barton, serial entrepreneur and cofounder of Zillow and Expedia, has repeatedly built category-defining consumer internet companies by applying transparency, data, and user-first design to opaque markets. After helping launch Expedia inside Microsoft, Barton went on to cofound Zillow, reshaping real estate search through pricing data and digital discovery tools, and later founded Glassdoor to bring similar transparency to the labor market. Known for a consistent “power to the people” philosophy, Barton has influenced how millions make decisions about homes, jobs, and travel.

Philip Milstein, founder and CEO of Ogden CAP Properties, built a major New York–based real estate investment platform focused on value-oriented acquisitions across office, residential, and mixed-use properties. After early experience in property development and asset management, Milstein expanded Ogden CAP by targeting complex, underperforming assets and repositioning them through active management and long-term capital discipline. Known for a hands-on approach and deep market knowledge, he has assembled a sizable portfolio while maintaining a low public profile. Milstein’s career reflects patient investing and contrarian thinking within urban real estate markets.

Nicolas Berggruen, investor and philanthropist, built a global reputation as a contrarian thinker blending capital, policy, and long-term societal vision. Founder of Berggruen Holdings and the Berggruen Institute, he has invested across real estate, finance, and special situations while championing ideas around governance reform, technology, and globalization. Known for his unconventional lifestyle and intellectual focus, Berggruen has positioned himself less as a traditional financier and more as a patron of cross-disciplinary thought, convening global leaders to address structural challenges facing modern societies.

John Goff, billionaire investor and founder of Crescent Real Estate and Goff Capital, built one of the most successful real estate and private investment enterprises in Texas. After joining the fledgling Crescent Realty Trust in the early 1990s, he helped grow it into a multibillion-dollar office and mixed-use portfolio, later engineering its sale to Morgan Stanley and reacquiring major assets during the financial crisis at steep discounts. Through Goff Capital, he has expanded into hospitality, aviation, and energy, while backing high-growth ventures and serving as chairman of luxury travel company Omni Hotels & Resorts. Known for contrarian timing, discipline, and opportunistic dealmaking, Goff remains a defining figure in modern Texas business and real estate.

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.

Jeffrey Hines, chairman and co-CEO of Hines, leads one of the world’s largest and most respected privately held real estate investment, development, and management firms. The son of legendary founder Gerald D. Hines, he joined the company in the 1980s and helped expand its global footprint from a U.S.-focused developer into a multinational powerhouse operating in 30+ countries. Under his leadership, Hines has executed billions in landmark office, residential, industrial, and mixed-use projects—combining cutting-edge architecture, disciplined capital management, and long-term partnerships. Known for his steady strategic vision and global mindset, Hines has cemented the firm’s position as a standard-setter 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.

Jeff Greene, billionaire real estate investor, built his fortune by making one of the most successful bets against the U.S. housing market before the 2008 financial crisis, using credit default swaps to hedge his property portfolio. After the crash, he expanded his holdings across South Florida, Los Angeles, and New York, developing and acquiring high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality properties. Known for his contrarian instincts and disciplined approach to leverage, Greene has also pursued ventures in education and sustainability while maintaining an active role in philanthropy and public policy. His investments continue to shape key real estate markets nationwide.

Jed Walentas, CEO of Two Trees Management, is one of New York City’s most influential real estate developers, known for transforming Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood from industrial waterfront to one of the city’s most desirable creative and residential hubs. Building on the vision of his father, David Walentas, he led marquee projects such as the Domino Sugar Refinery redevelopment on the Williamsburg waterfront—blending mixed-use design, public spaces, and architectural ambition. With a reputation for long-term, community-focused urban development, Walentas has shaped modern Brooklyn’s identity while solidifying Two Trees as a powerhouse in New York real estate.

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.

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.

Samih Sawiris, Egyptian billionaire and tourism mogul, transformed his family’s business acumen into a global hospitality and real estate empire. As founder of Orascom Development, he spearheaded the creation of integrated resort towns across Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East, blending luxury hotels, marinas, golf courses, and residential communities. Known for projects like El Gouna on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Sawiris has combined visionary master planning with sustainable development, positioning himself as a leading force in high-end tourism and destination creation.

Salman Alhokair, Saudi businessman and prominent member of the Alhokair family, has played a key role in expanding the Fawaz Alhokair Group into one of the Middle East’s dominant retail, hospitality, and entertainment conglomerates. Building on the family’s legacy, he has overseen partnerships with top international brands and the development of large-scale shopping malls and lifestyle destinations. Known for blending global retail trends with regional market expertise, Alhokair continues to influence the evolution of consumer experiences across Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

Fawaz Alhokair, Saudi billionaire businessman, co-founded the Fawaz Alhokair Group and expanded it from a single menswear shop in 1989 into a retail giant representing leading global fashion brands. Under his leadership, the group diversified into shopping malls, hotels, and entertainment ventures, establishing a presence across the Middle East and beyond. Known for his entrepreneurial drive and ambitious expansion, Alhokair has played a pivotal role in modernizing Saudi Arabia’s retail landscape and connecting regional consumers with international brands.