What began as Bob Knakal’s personal research tool has grown into a world-renowned destination for real estate intelligence. The Knakal Map Room at BKREA recently welcomed its 1,000th visitor — a milestone that cements its status as a premier resource for developers, investors, and market strategists seeking unmatched insight into New York City’s ever-evolving real estate landscape.
Key Takeaways
1,000 Visitors and Counting: The Knakal Map Room reached a major milestone with its 1,000th guest — a real estate investment group visiting from London — underscoring its growing global influence.
Massive Visual Scale: Spanning 24 feet by 10 feet, the Map Room displays every building under construction, development site, and major CRE transaction in Manhattan — all tracked and updated manually by Bob Knakal himself.
Built on 41 Years of Fieldwork: Knakal personally walked every block south of 96th Street (east side) and 110th Street (west side) during the pandemic to mark sites by hand using Sanborn tax maps and highlighters.
Used by Industry Leaders: Visitors have included top real estate developers, global investment firms, government agencies, and college real estate clubs — all seeking firsthand insight into Manhattan’s most promising opportunities.
Real-Time + Historical Data: The room features a complete history of all 2,442 Manhattan development site sales since 1984, layered with up-to-the-minute construction and transaction data.
Empowering Smarter Decisions: The true value of the Map Room isn’t just visual — it’s strategic. BKREA clients walk away with clearer perspectives and faster answers, helping them make high-stakes decisions with greater confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Knakal Map Room?
A: It’s a 24' x 10' data-driven map displaying every Manhattan construction project, development site, and major transaction, updated manually by Bob Knakal for unparalleled accuracy.
Q: Who can visit the Knakal Map Room?
A: While access is limited, BKREA hosts a range of visitors including developers, institutional investors, public officials, and students. You can request a private tour here.
Q: Why is the Map Room unique?
A: It combines real-time field research with historical context — information that simply doesn’t exist in any digital database.
Q: How often is the map updated?
A: Continuously. Bob Knakal personally updates the map as new transactions, zoning changes, or development plans emerge.
Q: Can clients use the Map Room for investment strategy?
A: Absolutely. It serves as a strategic tool for identifying trends, targeting development zones, and making informed investment decisions.
Q: Where is the Map Room located?
A: It is housed at BKREA’s New York City office and is available by appointment only.
