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In this episode of Broker Brunch, Mitchel Flaherty sits down with Christopher Schlank, Co-Founder and President of Savanna, one of New York’s most respected real estate investment firms. With over 30 years in the industry and billions in assets managed, Chris reveals how he built Savanna from the ground up, the lessons learned through multiple market cycles, and why New York City remains the world’s most resilient real estate market.

From his early days managing affordable housing on the Upper West Side to raising institutional capital and leading landmark redevelopments, Chris shares a masterclass in longevity, adaptability, and conviction. He explains how Savanna navigated the 2008 financial crisis, COVID-19, and today’s high interest rate environment, and what it really takes to thrive in commercial real estate today.

Whether you’re a developer, investor, or broker, this episode offers insider insights on value-add investing, fundraising strategy, and the future of the New York office market.

Chris Schlank's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-schlank-10b43130

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/

Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/

(00:00) Preview 

(00:35) Growing Up in the Upper West Side  

(05:24) Lessons from Affordable Housing 

(07:27) Founding Savanna

(11:35) Scaling Through Partnerships and Institutional Capital  

(14:01) The Art of Raising Money and Building Trust with Investors  

(18:28) Adapting to Economic Shocks

(21:57) Why Local Expertise Wins  

(23:50) The Office Market Rebound and Midtown’s Transformation  

(28:29) Finding Opportunity Amid Distress

(31:20) The Future of Office-to-Residential Conversions