Ken Himmel '68
President & Chief Executive Officer, Related Urban Development
Kenneth A. Himmel is President and Chief Executive Officer of Related Urban, the nation’s leading developer of large-scale mixed-use properties. Related Urban, formed in 1997, is the mixed-use development division of Related Companies.
Under Mr. Himmel’s leadership, Related Urban has opened two award-winning iconic destinations -- Time Warner Center in New York City and CityPlace in West Palm Beach. Both of these projects have created a significant impact on the growth and transformation of their respective surrounding urban core. Mr. Himmel is also leading the development and leasing of the retail and restaurant concepts of Hudson Yards, a 28-acre project that will transform midtown Manhattan.
Time Warner Center is a 2.8 million square foot mixed-use project at Columbus Circle in New York City which serves as the world headquarters for Time Warner, Inc., Mandarin Oriental New York, Jazz at Lincoln Center, One Central Park Residences, The Shops of Columbus Circle, and The Restaurant & Bar Collection including restaurants operated by world-class chefs Thomas Keller, Masa Takayama, Michael Lomonaco, and Marc Murphy, as well as renowned nightlife entrepreneur, Rande Gerber. CityPlace, which opened in 2000, is a 72-acre mixed-use property that has revitalized downtown West Palm Beach through the creations of a vibrant and active destination.
Mr. Himmel is also Co-Managing Partner of Gulf Related, a joint venture of Related Companies and Gulf Capital, one of the largest alternative asset managers in the GCC, formed to pursue marquee large-scale mixed-use real estate development opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Gulf Related is currently developing and operating two projects on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, The Galleria a 355,000 square foot shopping and dining destination which opened in the summer of 2013, and Al Mayah Central, a 2.3 million square foot super-regional shopping center anchored by the first international Macy’s and a Bloomingdale’s department store as well as adjacent hotel and residential towers.
With over 30 years experience, Mr. Himmel is a renowned expert in developing successful mixed-use developments that combine architectural design and urban planning with dynamic shopping, entertainment, residences, offices and world-renowned restaurants to bring forth the energy and vitality of an urban destination with resonance to the local lifestyle and culture. Past developments include Water Tower Place and 730 North Michigan in Chicago, Copley Place in Boston, Reston Town Center in Reston, and Pacific Place in Seattle. Mr. Himmel is also responsible for the formation of a restaurant collection in Boston, which includes the legendary Grill 23, celebrating its 30th Anniversary, The Harvest, Post 390, and Bistro du Midi, a joint venture with Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation (MARC).
Mr. Himmel received a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from Cornell University - School of Hotel Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree from William & Mary.
