Attending my third UPFRONTS NYC was nothing short of inspiring. To be handpicked by The SOCIETY Group and the Wall Street Journal to join an elite circle of top agents is an honor I don’t take lightly. This year, the event felt more electric than ever — a crossroads of wellness, design, real estate, and AI, all speaking together about what’s next.
Dubai, Global Wealth & the NY Connection
Andrew Cummings of Savills delivered a masterclass on “Why Dubai” — how it’s rapidly becoming a nexus for New York hedge funds and private wealth entities. His insights into new projects (not yet public) showed just how much capital and ambition are migrating globally. I found myself envisioning how those flows could reshape our own skyline.
Buying the Brand: EDITION Heads to Nashville
Another standout moment: the brand‑led concept of investment in lifestyle real estate. Case in point—The Residences at The Nashville EDITION, where the EDITION hotel brand launches its upscale residential component in Tennessee. With 84 residences atop the hotel, intentionally designed access between the two, and a full‑service luxury offering, this property illustrates how “buying the brand” is now a strategy—not just an upgrade.
Infinite Creator: AI That Brings Listings to Life
Camilo Lopez’s Infinite Creator was one of the most talked‑about reveals. With backing from Fredrik Eklund, this AI tool turns static photos into cinematic listing videos in seconds. It’s not futuristic — it’s right now. And it’s the kind of edge we need in a market where attention is the battleground.
Morphus: The Future of Holistic Performance
Jon Condon introduced Morphus, a wellness platform that combines full-body vibration, light therapy, and immersive sound journeys. It’s not just recovery or biohacking—it’s a layered experience aimed at elevating both mind and body. As someone who trains hard and values longevity, I felt deeply connected to that purpose.
Design, Sunset Cocktails & Late-Night Conversations
The day’s formal sessions gave way to a magical evening. At Leah Forester Johnson’s Lantern House home, sunset cocktails flowed as design and innovation mingled. The conversations stretched late into the night. Here, imagination felt real.
Who Was There—and Why It Mattered
Inside that private theater, agents from NYC, LA, Miami, and Dubai gathered: Kane Manera, Noble Black, Rayni Williams, Lauren Mamann, Kent Wu, Michelle Griffith, Maria Babaev, myself, and other visionaries. UPFRONTS is no longer just about introducing properties—it’s about unveiling a future narrative for real estate.
My Takeaway
UPFRONTS NYC 2025 wasn’t just an event. It was a signal. A reminder that real estate, tech, wellness, and design are no longer parallel paths—they’re converging. To stay ahead means embracing ideas you haven’t fully manifested yet.
If any of the ideas—AI listings, Dubai expansion, wellness tech—stand out to you, let’s explore them together. This is the moment to lean in.
