NEW YORK CITY—The Related Cos. has added another development expert to the team handling the Hudson Yards project. Philippe Visser has taken on the role of senior vice president of development at the company, where he'll be part of the executive team overseeing the historic nearly 28-acre development.

He's certainly no stranger to massive construction undertakings; he was most recently director of the World Trade Center Redevelopment. At Related, Visser will be primarily responsible for leading the building of the 80-story, 2.5-million-square-foot North Tower, as well as other Hudson Yards commercial projects.

“Philippe has extensive experience with large-scale commercial real estate projects and a proven track-record of delivering complex developments,” says L. Jay Cross, president of Related Hudson Yards. “We are very pleased to welcome him to the Hudson Yards team as we prepare to commence construction on the platform and North Tower in a few short months.”

Construction on the North Tower and platform is expected to begin in January of 2014. The 52-story South Tower, on which work began in December 2012, is now over 85% occupied with Coach Inc., L'Oréal USA, SAP and Fairway Market. Occupancy is slated for 2015.

As for his new role, Visser indicated he is “thrilled to be a part of the historic development that will transform Manhattan's West Side and write the next chapter of New York's growth story. For the last four years I have had the privilege of working with a dedicated and professional organization and am proud of our collective efforts at the World Trade Center.” With that project expected to open next year and the retail and transportation components on track to debut in 2015, “the vision of the Port Authority is well on its way to reality. I can now look forward to my next challenge and I couldn't imagine a more exciting opportunity.”

Having joined the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey in 2009, Visser led the $15-billion, 14-million-square-foot redevelopment of the WTC. He oversaw the development, leasing and operations of the three-million-square-foot One World Trade Center, one of the country's largest office buildings. He led negotiations with Condé Nast for a 1.2-million-square-foot lease at the property, closed on a 270,000-square-foot lease with the US General Services Administration and orchestrated a deal with Legends Hospitality for an observation deck valued at $875 million over 15 years. Visser was also charged with the development and leasing of the WTC's 450,000-square-foot retail component, taking care of a a $1.23-billion joint venture with the Westfield Group to co-develop the retail with the Port Authority throughout the 16-acre site, along with a site-wide special events and advertising program.

Before he joined the WTC, Visser oversaw the acquisition and development of local projects for Tishman Speyer, worked in acquisitions at Vornado Realty Trust and ran the day-to-day development of commercial office and mixed-use projects for Forest City Ratner.

Instant Insights /

Former WTC Development Director Joins Hudson Yards Team

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