Nicholas Silvers and Dov Barnett

There were better years to start a New York City development firm than 2009, in the immediate aftermath of the Great Financial Crisis. But Tavros co-founders Silvers and Barnett were playing the long game, as both had spent their whole lives in the city and had no plans to leave.

That’s essentially Tavros’ business model: know the city as well as or better than their competitors in the cutthroat competition for development sites, tenants and buyers. Through 2025 it has yielded $6 billion worth of projects spanning 7 million square feet.

Their read of New York’s dynamics has led to big bets on multifamily in Gowanus (2,200 units), Long Island City and the South Street Seaport (650 units each), plus high-end office at 50 Ninth Avenue in the Meatpacking District.

Silvers told The Real Deal that leases of 75,000 square feet or more at Tavros’ new rental projects with Chelsea Piers and Lifetime Fitness reflect New Yorkers’ growing interest in health and wellness. The retail is marketed as an amenity for tenants and condominium unit buyers, who get a membership discount.

Avoiding industrial and hospitality projects has allowed Silvers and Barnett to focus on multifamily, office and retail — and on tenants who need space for a year or more rather than one night at a time. Call it another aspect of playing the long game.

— Erik Engquist