Joseph Cayre

The Cayre family is among the most storied real estate families in the industry. Brothers Joseph, Kenneth and Stanley turned a record label business into a home video company and then parlayed that into real estate fortunes.

The three brothers started their own firms, each with different niches. Eldest brother Stanley, who died in October, founded Cayre Group; Ken runs Cayre Equities; and Joseph leads Midtown Equities. 

For its part, Midtown has invested and developed the city’s marquee social clubs. Founded in 2000, the firm is best known for buying Soho House in 2012 and investing in the transformation of the Battery Maritime Building into Casa Cipriani in 2018. Elsewhere in Manhattan, Midtown teamed up with Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten for Chez Margeaux, a buzzy private supper club in the Meatpacking District.

The company has also harnessed some brand power in Miami Beach. The firm, along with Cipriani and 13th Floor Investments, in 2025 revealed plans to build a 40-key hotel, private members club and a 17-story, 23-unit luxury condo tower. 

Midtown also is the lesser-known partner in One World Trade, along with Silverstein Properties and the Goldman family. 

— Keith Larsen