Watch this very interesting July 2025 Beyond The Resume podcast interview with Roosevelt Island real estate developer David Kramer of the Hudson Companies. According to Beyond The Resume podcast:
In this episode of Beyond the Resume with Chris Papa and Lisa Flicker, we speak with David Kramer, President of Hudson Companies, about his unconventional entry into real estate, his leadership approach, and the values that have guided his work across three decades of urban development in New York City.
David shares how his early experiences in public affairs, a strong generalist mindset, and a commitment to civic engagement shaped his journey toward becoming one of the city’s most respected developers. He offers an unvarnished view of the development process — from managing political complexities and public-private partnerships to prioritizing affordable housing and sustainability. David also reflects on his recent four-month sabbatical and what it revealed about trust, systems, and the resilience of his team.
This conversation offers real insight into the real estate industry — both the challenges and the deeply rewarding moments — and delivers practical takeaways for anyone working in development, urban planning, or leadership.
When asked by the podcast hosts:
… You’ve done a lot of deals. What has been your most memorable deal? One that stands out to you.
Mr Kramer replied:
… I have a good final four. But to answer your question, I’ve been been pretty actively involved on Roosevelt Island for 28 years where Hudson and Related as co-JV partners built an entire neighborhood. We ended up building 10 new buildings. We operate a lot of the retail on the Island. And so as a quarter century development, that’s been a highlight and it turned out great. We built beautiful buildings. We did well. We improved the island. We’re proud of what we did.
Mr Kramer added:
The tram is in the news as we speak because in the new Tik Tok world, there have been so many fun videos of people taking the tram that it’s so popular that residents get to the tram to go home, or they have a doctor’s appointment, or they have to meet their kids, or they have to cook dinner and there’s a 45 minute wait of tourists trying to get on the tram.
And so the residents are now lobbying the Governor to provide sort of a separate expedited entrance to the tram for residents. And again, as a real estate developer, I find all of those sort of transportation, government, neighborhood issues really, really interesting. So, please come visit us on Roosevelt Island, take the tram, but please take the tram during non- peak off hours….
Watch the full interview. It’s very interesting about the life of a NYC real estate developer.
In 1997 the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) designated a joint venture between the Hudson Companies and Related Companies (Hudson Related) to develop the Southtown area of Roosevelt Island with a 9 building development now known as Riverwalk. So began Hudson Companies developer David Kramer’s more than a quarter century relationship with Roosevelt Island….
Here’s my April 2025 interview with Mr Kramer.
There are NO non peak hours for taking the tram. There are massive amounts of tourists all day!
There have rarely been the very long lines down the staircase to the Tram Plaza area in the last few months though the Platform Station area is very crowded. But with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holidays coming up, the long lines will probably return. Hopefully, the new RIOC President will listen to residents and and approve a Quick Pass for residents and other frequent Tram users.
Gov. Hochul said she would revisit the idea of a paid priority pass available to all, but only for sale on RI after August. Well, it’s almost October….news?