Vornado Hires Retail Leader Elisa Young to Manage Prime Manhattan Space
New York, Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
Vornado Realty Trust appointed luxury retail veteran Elisa Young to oversee 213,677 square meters of prime Manhattan properties, driving strategic growth across 40 high-profile commercial locations.
Executive Appointment and Portfolio Scope
Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE: VNO) officially announced the appointment of Elisa Young as Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Leasing for New York on 20 October 2026 [1]. Young commenced her duties on Monday, 19 October 2026, taking charge of leasing operations across approximately 213,677 square meters of street-level retail space [1][8]. This portfolio encompasses 40 distinct properties located in key Manhattan districts, including Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, Times Square, Penn District, Union Square, and SoHo [3]. The average retail space per property amounts to 5341.925 square meters, highlighting the density and value of the assets under management [1][8].
Professional Background and Leadership Transition
Prior to joining Vornado, Young served as Senior Vice President of Retail Leasing at Brookfield Properties, now known as BGRE, since 2019 [2][8]. During her tenure at Brookfield, she managed approximately 1.2 million square feet of New York retail assets and secured agreements with major brands such as Gucci, Dior, Bottega Veneta, Sephora, Lululemon, and TAG Heuer [1][3]. Young replaces Ed Hogan, who departed earlier in 2026 to join JVP Development [3]. Glen Weiss, Vornado’s Executive Vice President of Office Leasing and Co-Head of Real Estate, stated that Young’s industry relationships and strategic vision would be instrumental in strengthening the company’s retail portfolio [2][8].
Strategic Recruitment and Market Context
The placement was facilitated by executive search firm Kaye/Bassman International, specifically through their commercial real estate recruiting practice [1]. This recruitment drive occurs as major urban real estate developers restructure retail portfolios to adapt to changing consumer foot traffic and macroeconomic conditions in metropolitan markets [1]. Vornado remains the largest owner and manager of street retail in Manhattan, making this leadership appointment a critical component of their ongoing asset optimization strategy [3]. The firm continues to advance redevelopment projects, including the transformation of the Penn District, where it acts as the predominant owner and operator [3].