When Michael I. Okun, Sr. Managing Director at CBC Hunter Realty, talks tech, genius-bar habitués know they have found a knowledgeable professional to help them with their office needs. With a client roster that has included Buddy Media, Adknowledge, WeWork, Syntel, and Generali, cutting-edge companies know he’s going to bring them to commercial space where layouts and infrastructure will accommodate their very specific needs. In recent years, emerging areas like Hudson Square, along with established districts like Flatiron and Union Square, have become enclaves for social media start-ups and technology companies and Okun knows the lay of the land and the right landlords.
“I can see New York City becoming Silicon Valley East in the next couple years,” opined Okun. “Every day, I meet with start-ups from around the world that are coming to New York to optimize their visibility and get access to the resources that are exclusively here. A decade ago, we were at the forefront of the dot.coms and now it’s the next generations of social media and high-tech. New York has always served as a cultural incubator for big ideas.”
In addition to commercial leasing and investment sales, Okun’s background includes the management of a significant residential and commercial portfolio in New Jersey. Although he majored in government and law at Lafayette College, where he received his B.A., he has long had a passion for real estate and technology, which is evident in the success he has had on behalf of his very select client base.
“The city’s emerging role as an incubator for tech companies is more than evident,” adds Okun. “And when a company like Google buys a building that covers an entire city block, there’s no question that we’ve got the infrastructure plus a global footprint.”
REalta Group 
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