Inside the New York Deal Machine (Feat. James Nelson)

In this episode of New York No Matter Where, Ryan Garson sits down with James Nelson, Head of U.S. Investment Sales at Avison Young and one of the most respected voices in New York real estate.James has spent nearly three decades shaping deals across the five boroughs, closing billions in transactions while helping define the city’s evolving skyline. But this conversation goes beyond numbers and market reports. Ryan and James dive into the mentality behind New York business, the speed and culture that make the city different, and the relationships, routines, and problem-solving that happen behind every major deal.They discuss everything from office-to-residential conversions and the future of the Upper East Side to luxury development, affordability, networking culture, and what it actually takes to survive and thrive in New York real estate. James also shares lessons from writing The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing, hosting his own podcast, and building a career rooted in consistency, curiosity, and long-term thinking.This episode is about more than real estate. It’s about the people, ambition, and energy that continue to shape New York City every single day.