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The REIT Center

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Broadening Impact in Real Asset Investments

The NYU SPS Schack Institute of Real Estate REIT Center provides a forum for the study and analysis of REITs, REOCs, and their expanding sphere of influence in the real asset investment category.

What We Do

Established in 1998, the REIT Center fosters thought leadership to explore and address the trends that are transforming the REIT/REOC sector nationally and globally. The Center encourages this exploration by engaging REIT managers, investors, academics to expand our understanding of the evolving world in which REITs invest. The REIT Center draws from multidisciplinary faculty members at the Schack Institute of Real Estate and other NYU programs, as well as seasoned Wall Street and emerging global relationships.
A keynote speaker addresses a crowd of attendees from a lectern at the 28th Annual REIT Symposium held at NYU SPS.
REIT Center Initiatives

Create applied research by sponsoring faculty-led, student-supported analysis and discussion. Serve as an educational center for industry professionals by sponsoring conferences and symposia, including the influential annual REIT Symposium. Serve as an educational center for students by hosting academic competitions and study trips; andEncouraging industry engagement by supporting student internships with leading REIT and real asset-related opportunities.

MS in Real Estate student speaks at the REIT Investment Fund event
REIT Investment Fund

The Schack REIT Center’s REIT Investment Fund is an entirely student-run Fund that provides practical investment management experience, supervised by a Faculty Advisor and two boards. Funded by REIT Symposium sponsors, the Fund will invest only in US-listed REITs, Real Estate Operating Companies, and homebuilders. Earnings are reinvested in the Fund.

Contact us
Two students speak with a real estate expert at the annual REIT Symposium
REIT Symposium

The REIT Symposium is the sector’s premier industry event where top executives share their perspectives and insights on how the latest trends and market conditions transform REITs each year. Attendees have opportunities to network with leading academics, current industry professionals, and the next generation of industry leaders and innovators—the NYU SPS Schack students.

Learn more

The REIT Center in Action

Center Leader

Scott Robinson, Clinical Associate Professor of Finance at the Schack Institute of Real Estate, NYU SPS.

Scott L. Robinson

Professor Director, The REIT Center, NYU SPS Schack Real Estate Institute

 

Mr. Robinson is a senior commercial real estate professional with extensive REIT, bulge-bracket, and middle-market experience in capital markets, investment banking, and credit analysis.

Mr. Robinson is a clinical associate professor of Finance at the Schack Institute of Real Estate, where he is also program coordinator for the Finance & Investment curriculum and director of the REIT Center. Additionally, Mr. Robinson is SVP, corporate development at Plymouth Industrial REIT (NYSE: PLYM).

Mr. Robinson’s teaching portfolio currently includes Real Estate Capital Markets and the Applied Project in Finance & Investment. He has previously taught REIT Securities Analysis, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Corporate Finance, Investing in a Distressed Environment, and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities. His oversight of the REIT Center allows him to introduce graduate students to the dynamic and fast-paced intersection of Wall Street and real estate, through student-generated content and industry events. Current research efforts are focused on logistics; digital infrastructure; affordable housing; and sustainable infrastructure.

Mr. Robinson’s prior positions include being a key member of the Real Estate Investment Banking Group at Citigroup, a senior analytical role in the Real Estate Finance Group at Standard & Poor’s, as well as positions at Macquarie Capital (sell-side equity research), Advanced Real Estate Services (acquisitions), and BRT Realty Trust (financing).

Mr. Robinson’s experience is regularly sought by both start-up and seasoned companies. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of DIRTT Environmental Solutions (NASDAQ: DRTT) and as an investment-advisor to Arialgo (algorithm-driven REIT securities asset management platform) and Market Stadium (residential data analysis platform).

He previously served on the Board of Directors of Monmouth Real Estate Investment Trust (NYSE: MNR). He also served as advisor, chairman, and interim CEO of Full Stack Modular, a Brooklyn-based modular construction technology company.

Mr. Robinson received a Bachelor of Science with dual concentrations in Biology and Economics and a minor in Accounting, from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Science in Real Estate Finance from New York University. He is also FINRA licensed (79, 63, and 7) and a New York State Real Estate Broker.

Mr. Robinson, a Southern California native and long-time New York City resident, is an avid global traveler, snowboarder, and competitive endurance athlete.