Ben Scharf
MANAGING DIRECTOR, SPANDREL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, LLC
Ben brings a wealth of expertise, attention to detail, and a strategic perspective to the Spandrel team. Having first joined Spandrel as an Analyst in 2017 while completing his Master’s degree, Ben rejoined the firm in 2019 and continues to demonstrate his commitment to growth and excellence in the real estate industry.
In his current role, Ben plays an integral part in driving the success of Spandrel Development Partners. He is responsible for underwriting investment opportunities and conducting comprehensive market due diligence for new development ventures in both established and emerging markets. Working closely with the firm’s Principals, Ben is actively involved in sourcing and structuring financing across the capital stack and contributes to every stage of the development process.
Before returning to Spandrel, Ben gained valuable experience at several prestigious real estate organizations. At Tishman Speyer, Ben was an Analyst in their leadership development program where he was primarily focused on asset management and redevelopment initiatives for the iconic, 7+ million square foot Rockefeller Center. He played a key role in asset valuations, financial analysis of major capital improvement projects, and underwriting large-scale lease transactions exceeding 100,000 square feet. Prior to Tishman Speyer, Ben worked at Ackman Ziff, where he focused on capital markets advisory for office, retail, and multifamily transactions across the U.S. His career began as an Investment Banking Analyst at Solomon Partners, specializing in M&A and restructuring transactions.
Ben earned a Master of Science in Real Estate Finance with distinction from New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate and graduated cum laude with high honors from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Ben was also a member of the Varsity Lacrosse team at Duke, winning two national championships. His blend of rigorous academic training and hands-on experience makes him a critical asset to Spandrel Development Partners.