Northwell real estate exec launches new firm

The guiding force behind Northwell Health’s real estate maneuvers is launching his own company.

Philip Silverman, formerly Northwell’s chief physical assets officer, is leaving that post to head Blue Sky Real Estate Services. Silverman’s new Manhattan-based firm, which signed Northwell as its first client, will focus on providing “real estate solutions to healthcare, educational and other mission-driven organizations,” according to a company statement.

Prior to joining Northwell, Silverman served as vice president for real estate at Columbia University where he assembled the 17-acre site for the 6.8 million square foot Manhattanville campus expansion. Silverman has more than 30 years of industry expertise in directing more than $1 billion dollars of not-for-profit real estate transactions and development.

“Blue Sky’s professional expertise lies in delivering strategic solutions to difficult real estate and facilities challenges,” Silverman said in the statement. “Our commitment is to serve organizations that provide a societal good.”

Gene Tangney, Northwell’s chief administrative officer, praised Silverman’s efforts during the health system’s “unprecedented growth” in recent years.

“Phil and his team have done a masterful job of designing and implementing innovative real estate strategies to create economic value that is being redeployed into our mission of caring for patients,” Tangney said in the statement. “To assure a seamless transition, Northwell has retained Blue Sky to carry forward the work in progress and pursue future strategic real estate initiatives.”

By: DAVID WINZELBERG