IMPACT AWARD
EUGENE DIAZ
Prism Capital Partners
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Eugene Diaz is well known for his long and celebrated history of involvement in some of the largest transactions and most successful commercial projects in New Jersey.
Gene founded Prism Capital Partners in 2002, and through his stewardship the firm has evolved into one of the state’s most active and respected developers focusing on the adaptive re-use and repurposing of excess corporate facilities and turn-of-the-century industrial buildings. Gene and his business partner, Edwin Cohen, have grown Prism as an “old-fashioned” real estate firm, adapted to the new world. The company is both an active investor, buying income-producing assets and undervalued properties, and multi-faceted developer, implementing development and redevelopment opportunities utilizing its full in-house capabilities. To date Prism, with its capital partners, has invested more than $750 million in 17 projects totaling over 5 million square feet. Among Gene’s flagship achievements is one of New Jersey’s highest-profile redevelopments: the ON3 campus in Nutley and Clifton. Since Prism’s 2016 acquisition of the 116-acre former Hoffmann-La Roche site, ON3 has attracted a blue-chip list of organizations, including Ralph Lauren Corporation, Quest Diagnostics, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, Modern Meadow, the new Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, Hackensack Meridian’s NIH-designated Clinical Research Center, The Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation, and Seton Hall University’s Graduate College of Nursing and School of Health and Medical Sciences. At ON3, Gene and Prism are creating a property that speaks to the changing demands of New Jersey communities, residents and businesses. The former single-tenant “white elephant” campus that had gone dark is today an award-winning, mixed-use complex that will integrate office and R&D facilities, recreational, hospitality and wellness options, among others, and is positioned to set a benchmark in Walking Urbanism. ON3, a prime example of Gene’s contributions to the marketplace, is just one of his firm’s highly successful undertakings. Previously vacant properties are now filled with commercial tenants that have chosen to commit their business operations to New Jersey, and industrial-to-residential multi-family projects are re-energizing communities across the Garden State. Time and again, Prism’s redevelopments set Smart Growth benchmarks and testify to the value of public-private partnership. If a right way to expand as a real estate owner/operator exists, Gene has nailed it. Simply put, his distinctive approach centers on understanding that each transaction and property situation brings its own challenges and sophisticated requirements. He has established a group of passionate, highly skilled professionals with targeted expertise in investment, construction, property management and marketing, who work collectively to piece together the best solutions for highly complex projects. In 2014, NAIOP New Jersey honored Prism with its prestigious Impact Award, and the firm’s projects have received dozens of honors. Gene is consistently named among ROI NJ’s Real Estate Influencers and NJBiz’s Power 50. Gene also received the ULI NNJ 2019 Leadership in Real Estate award. Gene epitomizes the leadership and innovation that has made New Jersey’s commercial real estate industry one of the nation’s best. He is an outspoken advocate for positive, impactful commercial real estate development. Truly, his professionalism, unparalleled commitment to colleagues and clients, and decades of contributions to the marketplace are worthy of the highest recognition. |
