Kuafu Properties

Kuafu Properties is a privately held real estate development and investment company. Co-founded in 2013 by Zengliang Shan and Shang Dai, the firm markets itself as a bridge between Asian investors abroad and the U.S. real estate market. The firm was born out of the Hudson Yards development, where Kuafu had a hand in building the Hudson Rise hotel and condominium. The Hudson Yards project proved to be a bit troublesome for Kuafu, as it became deadlocked in a lawsuit with partner Siras Development over the plans and their respective roles in the tower. At the time Kuafu was dubbed by some publications as a mystery developer, but in the years since it has built up and down Manhattan, including East 86th Street and a mixed-use building at 1289 Lexington Avenue, taking advantage of the influx of Chinese investors. The firm has also built the MiMa condos on West 42nd Street, which focused on midpriced units instead of luxury, high-end units.