Kaye/Bassman places Elisa Young to lead retail leasing at Vornado

Kaye/Bassman International said Scott Huey placed Elisa Young as executive vice president, head of retail leasing at Vornado Realty Trust in Manhattan. Young will oversee leasing for about 2.3 million square feet across 40 properties as Vornado looks to shape tenant mix in one of New York City’s most important retail portfolios.

Why it matters: - Elisa Young takes over a high-profile leasing role at Vornado Realty Trust, one of Manhattan’s largest commercial real estate owners. - The job covers about 2.3 million square feet of street-level retail space across 40 Manhattan properties. - The appointment affects tenant mix at some of New York City’s most visible retail destinations.

What happened: - Kaye/Bassman International said Scott Huey placed Elisa Young as executive vice president, head of retail leasing at Vornado Realty Trust. - The announcement was dated Oct. 20, 2026. - Young will lead retail leasing across Vornado’s Manhattan portfolio.

The details: - Young previously served as senior vice president of retail leasing at Brookfield Properties. - Her experience includes work with Gucci, Dior, Bottega Veneta, Sephora, Lululemon, Eataly and TAG Heuer. - Vornado said the role puts Young in charge of leasing strategy across its street-level retail holdings in Manhattan. - Kaye/Bassman’s commercial real estate recruiting practice focuses on executive search across the industry. - The firm says its search approach combines market knowledge with relationship-driven recruiting. - More information is available from Kaye/Bassman International.

Between the lines: - The placement underscores how competitive senior retail leasing roles remain in Manhattan. - Kaye/Bassman framed the search as one that required industry knowledge and leadership fit, not just a résumé match. - Young’s background with global luxury and specialty retailers suggests Vornado wants deep tenant-facing experience in a changing retail market.

What's next: - Young is expected to help guide leasing decisions across Vornado’s Manhattan retail footprint. - Her work will likely influence tenant selection and the long-term positioning of key street-level properties. - Manhattan’s retail market will keep testing landlords on how well they adapt portfolios to changing shopper demand and brand strategies.