One of America’s most accomplished sales professionals, business builders, and keynote speakers — and, for four decades, a seller’s best friend in New York City.
Bob Knakal is one of America’s most accomplished sales professionals, business builders, and keynote speakers.
Over a 42-year career in the highly competitive New York City commercial real estate market, he has personally brokered the sale of more than 2,411 properties totaling $24.6 billion in value and more than 94 million square feet, widely believed to be one of the most prolific transaction records in U.S. history.
Bob co-founded Massey Knakal Realty Services and helped build it into one of the most dominant sales organizations in the country. According to third-party research from CoStar, from 2001 through 2014, Massey Knakal sold more than 4,000 New York City properties while the #2 firm sold approximately 1,300, outperforming its nearest competitor by more than 3-to-1 for fourteen consecutive years. The company became a case study in systems, specialization, culture, accountability, and servant-leadership management.
In 2014, Massey Knakal was acquired by Cushman & Wakefield in a $100 million transaction. Bob later became Chairman of New York Investment Sales at Cushman & Wakefield, then Chairman of New York Investment Sales and Head of the New York Private Capital Group at JLL before launching BK Real Estate Advisors in 2024.
Bob’s leadership legacy is equally notable. Today, dozens of companies or divisions in the New York City investment sales market are owned or led by professionals he trained, mentored, or developed over the course of his career.
He is also the bestselling co-author of Selling Buildings: Maximizing Prices and Profits in Commercial Real Estate, with the first printing selling out immediately after release.
Beyond business, Bob has become a recognized media voice and digital thought leader, with more than 500 published articles, 120+ podcast appearances, and one of the largest social media followings in commercial real estate. He has been ranked the #1 Commercial Real Estate Influencer on LinkedIn and X.
Today, Bob speaks to organizations nationwide on:
Known for his energy, authenticity, humor, and practical wisdom, Bob delivers keynote presentations that move audiences emotionally while equipping them with tools to perform at a higher level.
Bob’s objective is to give each client as many options as possible — using market insights, cutting-edge analytics and technology, and 40 years on the front lines of NYC investment sales to deliver optimal results through flawless execution. His straightforward approach avoids conflicts of interest and creates a level playing field, exposing every property to the widest possible audience of buyers.
A two-page special modeled on the 1956 Topps set — the most ambitious card yet, tracing a record-setting career.
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