Heskel Elias is a visionary real estate developer whose influence has left a lasting mark on New York, particularly in Forest Hills. An immigrant from Israel, he first gained prominence in the 1980s with his iconic nightclub, Heskel’s, a cultural landmark that cemented his deep connection to the neighborhood.

Heskel’s foray into real estate began with a portfolio of cinemas before evolving into retail development, where he was instrumental in attracting national brands like Disney, Ann Taylor, Gap, and Staples to Forest Hills, redefining its commercial landscape. With an intuitive grasp of urban growth, he further ventured into office spaces, medical facilities, and multi-family developments, shaping the area into a dynamic hub of commerce and community. Over the years, he has owned and developed properties leased to credit-worthy tenants such as Target, CVS, Capital One Bank, and Starbucks, while also expanding his investments into Manhattan and Long Island.