From Soundstage to Skyline: Building LA's Studio Real Estate

Explore What, Where, and How Today's Leading Industry Executives Are Building and Shaping LA's Studio CRE Scene

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  Zach Sokoloff

  Zach joined Hackman Capital Partners in 2018 and serves as Asset Manager of the firm’s Television City Studios and Radford Studio Center assets. In his role, Zach leads the effort to entitle and redevelop these properties, including selecting and managing project consultants, design and site planning, developing project budgets, as well as securing future tenancy and navigating capital markets transactions. Zach has also been integral to launching and growing the firm’s Changing Lenses initiative, which seeks to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entertainment industry, by providing historically underrepresented communities with job training opportunities in below-the-line production roles. Prior to joining the Firm, Zach worked for Tishman Speyer in New York. Zach earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Yale University and his JD/MBA from Harvard University.

  Hackman Capital

  SVP

  Zach Sokoloff

  SVP

  Hackman Capital

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  Matthew Michel

  Experienced real estate professional specializing in the acquisition, disposition, management, and development of various commercial real estate assets.

  Fox Corporation

  VP, Real Estate

  Matthew Michel

  VP, Real Estate

  Fox Corporation

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  Michelle Gelshteyn

  Michelle Gelshteyn is a Managing Director in the Real Estate group based in Los Angeles. Ms. Gelshteyn is involved with new investment opportunities across the hospitality and studio sectors. Ms. Gelshteyn received a BA in Economics from Cornell University, where she graduated magna cum laude.

  Blackstone

  Managing Director

  Michelle Gelshteyn

  Managing Director

  Blackstone

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  Jonathon Yormak

  Jonathon manages all activities at East End, along with co-founder David Peretz. For Jonathon, each day represents an opportunity to further establish East End as an institutionally governed best-in-class real estate investment firm. Prior to founding East End, Jonathon was a Managing Principal at both Ruben Companies and Broadway Partners. On a combined basis, he acquired, repositioned, and managed an office portfolio exceeding 15 million square feet located throughout the U.S., as well as 1,000 residential units within New York City and Boston. Jonathon has extensive capital market knowledge, having sourced and structured billions of dollars of equity and debt. He also has broad platform-building experience, having started and grown various real estate related businesses. Earlier in his career, he was a real estate attorney at Fried Frank and Pryor Cashman, handling acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, financings, and REIT mergers. A graduate of Colby College and Fordham Law School, Jonathon sits on the Board of Directors for the Wynwood Business Improvement District and was a long-time board member of both the UJA-Federation of New York and The Children’s Hearing Institute.

  East End Studios

  Founder and Managing Principal

  Jonathon Yormak

  Founder and Managing Principal

  East End Studios

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  Lena Dremonas

  Lena Dremonas, a systems executive with Clark Construction, oversees the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems on projects in Southern California from project development through project delivery. Since joining Clark in 2013, Lena has ensured that MEP systems comply with company and client requirements by interpreting design and applying complex construction methods. She has experience in market sectors ranging from healthcare and education to museums and government. Her portfolio includes projects such as the A. James Clark Bioengineering Building, the Orange County Museum of Art, Century City Center, and Menifee Justice Center. Lena earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a LEED-accredited professional and is a Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP) through the Building Commissioning Certification Board (BCCB).

  Clark Construction

  Systems Executive

  Moderator

  Lena Dremonas

  Systems Executive

  Clark Construction

Future-Proofing Studio Spaces: Advancements in Operation, Design, and Construction

Discussing Technological Advancements, Innovative Design Trends, Impact of Generative AI, the Growing Importance of Sustainability, and the Evolving Needs of Content Creators

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  Wendy Takahashi

  Wendy Takahashi is a Director of Project Management for Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). She is responsible for leading a team focused on the management of capital improvement projects, design and furniture strategies and resource support, and team development to align with company goals. A certified interior designer by trade, and with over 30 years of experience in interior design, Wendy has worked with such notable clients as Yahoo, GE Capital, Union Bank, KMPG, and Earthlink before joining SPE almost 19 years ago. In addition to the many strategic projects throughout the Culver City portfolio, Wendy has played a major role in supporting the design efforts of four ground up and one adaptive reuse project on the studio lot. Wendy’s ongoing objectives are to create world class space that reflects and supports the unique culture and brand of each of SPE’s businesses through the use of industry, technology, sustainability, and wellness trends.

  Sony Pictures Entertainment

  Director, Design & Architecture

  Wendy Takahashi

  Director, Design & Architecture

  Sony Pictures Entertainment

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  John Eddey

  Sr. Mgr. WW Production Real Estate

  Amazon Studios

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  Ben Kracke

  Ben Kracke, AIA, IIDA, recently joined Rapt Studio’s Leadership team as Managing Director of the Los Angeles studio, overseeing a team of architects, designers, and strategic thinkers. A seasoned architect, Kracke brings 18 years of experience in architecture, adaptive reuse, and branded interior design for commercial, hospitality, retail, and educational clients to Rapt Studio. Most recently, Kracke led STUDIOS’s Los Angeles office, leading projects for household names such as Nickelodeon, Paramount, Eataly, Riot Games, Sony X-Box, Orrick, and Ziffren Brittenham. A natural team builder and strategic thinker, Kracke’s strong technical background compliments his passion for design. He is also a passionate advocate for sustainability and healthy community building having installed the first certified water reclamation system in the City of LA for Eataly and continuing to look for ways to green our business practices.

  Rapt Studio

  Managing Director

  Ben Kracke

  Managing Director

  Rapt Studio

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  June Bardwil

  June Bardwil started her career with PLANNET in 2002 as a Consultant and Project Manager. Today, as an Owner, she plays a pivotal role in cultivating client relationships, a responsibility she passionately embraces. She is actively engaged in most of PLANNET’s projects, including PLANNET's vast entertainment and media portfolio, which includes industry giants such as Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, and Riot Games. With a career spanning more than four decades in the technology sector, June has witnessed the remarkable evolution from the early days of IBM mainframes to the advent of Artificial Intelligence. June is known for her vibrant presence within the architectural, engineering, and real estate communities, and is enjoying the best part of her career – just ask her!

  PLANNET

  Director & Partner

  Moderator

  June Bardwil

  Director & Partner

  PLANNET