GET TO KNOW YOUR BOARD:
Q&A with Patrick J. Dolan, RPA
Property Manager, One World Trade Center
The Durst Organization
Vice Chair
BOMA New York
How long have you been a BOMA New York member and how did you first get involved with the Association?
I joined in 2000 when I was promoted to be a property manager at Boston Properties. Part of that promotion was a required commitment to BOMA NY. My boss at the time was Tom Hill and he encouraged me to participate in the RPA Designation program, as well as get involved with committees. I was happy to do it and the experience was always positive. I initially got involved with the Codes & Regulations committee, have served BOMA NY at different capacities and now fully champion the growth of our Emerging Leaders.
What is your favorite BOMA New York event and why?
It’s The Pinnacles! It’s a tremendous event that not only recognizes buildings that are performing at a high level, it also recognizes people that are performing at a very high level. The experience gets better and better every year and the high level of attendance is indicative that this is the new go-to event for the CRE industry.
New York City is blessed to have many celebrity buildings and you have been fortunate to manage two icons - The General Motors Building for Boston Properties, and currently One World Trade Center for The Durst Organization. What did you learn early in your career that continues to resonate with you today as you manage the tallest building in the United States?
What I learned early in my career is to be successful in this business, you must have a great team. This is not an individual sport. This is a team sport. When you have a great team, you can accomplish amazing things at a property. It is always a team effort and a consistent teamwork mindset will get you across the finish line at every property.
One WTC contains 3 million square feet of rentable office space, 54 high-speed elevators, an observatory that rises 1,250 feet above street level, and state of the art life-safety systems. With the ability to claim “greatest” in multiple categories, One WTC markets itself as “More Than A Building” and houses Well& By Durst on the 64th floor. Can you please tell us the importance of culture in the workplace today and how One WTC provides its tenants with opportunities of community, innovation, and wellness?
One WTC has attracted a large cross-section of companies from the TAMI community, and many of them have been start-ups. Several of these companies have come into One World Trade and became very successful, grew, expanded, and leased more space. As a company, we focus on what we call “Building Community” and this has been a great tenant mix to grow with. Servicing tenants today has become multi-layered. As it relates to building community, we provide a large amenity space with phenomenal views, a game room, a TV room, and a place to both collaborate and decompress. We also offer vertical catering, and a plethora of events that includes yoga, wine tasting, March Madness, art galleries, and craft lessons. We developed a monthly Town Hall for face-to-face engagement with management personnel, provide tenant educational sessions, and networking opportunities. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where they are part of something fabulous.
Thank you for your service to our Country. As a Marine, what has helped you most succeed in the professional world of property management?
I grew up in Queens and served in the Western Pacific for the majority of my four years in the Marine Corp. I enjoyed it very much. With that said, the Marine Corp shapes you and changes your foundation with a permanent impact. I can think of three primary items that shaped my experience in the Marine Corp.
I will begin with leadership. Leadership is imperative for corporate success. Ever since being a Marine, I have applied the leadership traits and principles that I learned in the Corp and have always been interested in how my leadership abilities can have a positive impact in the place that I work.
The Marine Corp also taught me how to overcome obstacles. I am in the problem-solving business today. My training in the Marine Corp prepared me to tackle obstacles and determine the best solution that satisfies everyone.
Lastly, I joined the Marines by jumping in with both feet. The Marines taught me not to be afraid of difficult assignments and strengthened my all-in commitment to always jump in with both feet.
What advise do you have for young adults thinking about property management and do you have any go to words of wisdom for professionals just launching their careers?
I am passionate about the Emerging Leaders program here at BOMA NY. It’s a program that we must keep relevant as we prepare young emerging leaders to become the future leaders of our industry.
My message to folks joining the workforce is to get involved. Ask a lot of questions. Be curious. Most importantly, find a mentor. Do this via an official mentorship program, or do it unofficially. Find someone that is phenomenal at what they do, and someone that you respect. Ask them for advice and establish a relationship. Our industry is filled with seasoned professionals that would love to pass on their knowledge and help someone else with their professional growth.
In addition to your dedication to BOMA New York and the collective CRE industry, you play an active role in volunteering for special cause issues. You are on the board of Hearts to Homes and active with other organizations. What does the importance of giving back mean to you?
When I was young, someone shared some sage advice with me. That advice continues to make more and more sense as I get older. He said, “Learn. Earn. Return.” Thankfully, I am now in the position to give back to my community and give back to my industry. My industry has been very good to me and I want to be good to it. That is in part why I am so passionate about BOMA New York. Hearts to Homes is a unique segment of the population – and that is foster kids that age out of the foster system. As these young adults enter the world, Hearts to Homes helps them exclusively by furnishing their new apartment, so that they have a place to call home and a home that welcomes them with everything they need to live. It’s an organization that has been around for only two years and we just furnished our 300th apartment.
I am also passionate about Alzheimer’s research. My mother passed away of Alzheimer’s in May of 2021. I am part of an organization called, Caring to Remember. We work within the real estate community to raise money for Alzheimer’s research and is a group that very much touches my heart.
When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing with your spare time?
I love football and I love rock and roll! I really enjoy going to concerts and am a fanatical Rolling Stones fan. I’ve seen them all over the place. In fact, I just saw my 36th show. I’m also a frustrated drummer, but all in, I just love music.
What’s your favorite movie?
Spartacus
What’s your favorite book?
For a long time, I would have agreed with our new Chair, Matt Duthie and say Trinity by Leon Uris. But I’m changing my answer since I just read Ken Follett’s The Century Trilogy. It’s actually three books and the best reading I’ve ever done.
