Long Island Sets a New Commercial Real Estate Record with $4.1B in 2025 Deals

Commercial real estate building on long island

Long Island’s commercial real estate market just made history. According to a new report from Cushman & Wakefield, commercial property sales across Nassau and Suffolk counties skyrocketed to an unprecedented $4.1 billion in 2025—marking a powerful 71.5 percent leap over 2024’s volume.

The report, originally shared by the always-insightful team at Long Island Business News, reveals one undeniable truth: investor energy is not only back—it’s surging.

Specialty Use Assets Take Center Stage

While most asset classes grew year-over-year (with the notable exception of industrial), specialty use properties stole the spotlight. Assisted living centers, rehabilitation facilities, and self‑storage properties dominated 2025’s deal sheet, reflecting national-level investor shifts and diversified strategies.

Five of the year’s ten largest deals were specialty-use assets, totaling nearly the entire $4.1B combined across both counties.

  • Nassau County: Over $1.965 billion in specialty asset sales
  • Suffolk County: Over $2.126 billion in specialty asset sales
  • 48 specialty‑use properties transacted across Long Island

The top deal? A monumental $603 million Ventas acquisition of five Bristal Assisted Living facilities, sold by B2K Development and Harrison Street Asset Management.

Lower Interest Rates Ignite Fresh Momentum

Dimitri Mastrogiannis, senior research analyst and author of the report, attributes the booming activity to improving conditions in the year’s second half.

“Investors realized, hey, now’s the time to strike. We have all this dry powder sitting on the sidelines. We need to deploy it.” — Dimitri Mastrogiannis, Cushman & Wakefield

Lower interest rates spurred a wave of renewed investor involvement, drawing in both national funds and seasoned local buyers.

Buyer Trends: End Users Drive Deal Activity

According to Dan Abbondandolo, leader of C&W’s Long Island Investment Sales and Capital Markets team, the surge wasn’t just institutional—it was entrepreneurial.

“If you were to sum up our 2025, I would say it was driven by end‑user sales and changes in ownership management.” — Dan Abbondandolo

End-user buyers, particularly in the $5M–$25M range, created a dynamic and highly diversified year.

Major Transactions That Defined the Year

  • $135.7M: Philosophy Care Centers portfolio
  • $124.2M: Casata Organization multifamily portfolio
  • $118.6M: 66-acre former CA Technology site in Islandia
  • $107M: 420-unit rental complex at 100 Terrace Ave., Hempstead

Looking Ahead to 2026

Experts anticipate continued strength. With institutional buyers taking a step back, a wave of private capital, family offices, and equity groups are stepping forward—reshaping ownership patterns across Long Island.

Retail is poised for growth, office space has stabilized, and improving interest-rate conditions could fuel even more activity in the coming months.

Why This Matters for Real Estate Professionals

For agents, brokers, investors, and commercial specialists, these shifts represent opportunity. Specialty assets, alternative investment vehicles, and end‑user-driven sales are becoming essential sectors to understand.

Professionals looking to sharpen their skills or earn new certifications can explore programs at Cameron Academy, where both emerging agents and seasoned experts stay fully aligned with the industry’s evolving landscape.

More Articles

Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!

Trump’s 2026 Mortgage Rate Prediction: What Real Estate Pros Should Really Expect

President Trump recently suggested mortgage rates will drop “a lot lower” by early 2026, sparking industry-wide curiosity — but current economic data tells a more measured story. With today’s 30‑year fixed hovering near 6.25%, experts say meaningful declines remain possible, though not guaranteed, and would depend on softer inflation, weaker economic signals, or a shift in bond market behavior. While political comments created headlines, analysts emphasize that only market conditions — not rhetoric — can drive rates down. Independent forecasts already point toward mid‑5% rates by 2026, offering a potentially healthier landscape for buyers, agents, and mortgage professionals preparing for the next cycle.

Why Mortgage Executives Can’t Afford to Ignore AI

Artificial intelligence has moved from a futuristic concept to a central force driving today’s mortgage industry. From smarter underwriting to enhanced borrower experiences and tighter compliance, AI is transforming every corner of mortgage lending. As expectations rise and competition accelerates, AI literacy is no longer optional — it’s a core skill every mortgage, real estate and finance professional must master to stay relevant and lead confidently.

Global Commercial Real Estate Enters a Long-Term Era of Transformation

Global commercial real estate is shifting away from short-term recovery cycles and entering a long-term transformation driven by technology, sustainability, demographic change, and evolving work‑life patterns. Capital is becoming more selective, favoring resilient assets and alternative lenders, while high‑demand sectors such as industrial, logistics, data infrastructure, and specialized residential continue to outperform. Geography, sustainability standards, and flexibility are emerging as defining forces for the next cycle, signaling major opportunities—and challenges—for real estate professionals preparing for the future.

How AI Is Quietly Rewriting the Future of Real Estate

Artificial intelligence has moved from hype to essential infrastructure in the real estate world. From smarter valuations and predictive analytics to automated lead generation and personalized property-matching tools, AI is transforming how agents, brokers, lenders, and managers operate. As top platforms like Zillow, Redfin, Opendoor, and dozens more integrate deep‑learning technology, professionals across real estate, mortgage, insurance, and finance are being pushed to adapt. The future belongs to those who embrace these tools — and use them to elevate speed, accuracy, and client experience.

Florida’s Property Insurance Market Makes a Strong Comeback in 2025

Florida’s once‑troubled property insurance market has staged an impressive recovery after its near‑collapse in 2022. A new ALIRT Insurance Research report shows that legislative reforms, tighter underwriting and the arrival of new insurers have restored stability, reduced Citizens’ policy load and revived industry confidence. While risks remain, the rebound is reshaping housing affordability and creating fresh opportunities for real estate, mortgage and insurance professionals.

Florida Moves to Ban AI‑Only Insurance Claim Denials: What Professionals Need to Know

A new bill gaining momentum in Tallahassee would stop insurers from denying claims based solely on artificial intelligence. Championed by Rep. Hillary Cassell, the proposal aims to restore trust in Florida’s troubled insurance market by ensuring human oversight in decisions that affect homeowners, newcomers, and industry professionals. As debates intensify, experts warn AI is reshaping insurance faster than ever—making it critical for real estate, mortgage, and insurance professionals to understand the regulatory shifts ahead.