HKS arranges more than $500 million in financing in first half of 2026

HKS Real Estate Advisors closed more than $500 million across 30 financing transactions in the first half of 2026, spanning multifamily, mixed-use, retail, student housing and development assets in New York, Connecticut and Florida. The activity points to continued lender demand for experienced sponsors even as credit conditions stay selective.

Why it matters: - HKS’ first-half volume signals that capital is still available for borrowers with strong assets and clear plans, even in a selective lending market. - The firm said it expects more financing activity in the second half of 2026 as borrowers refinance maturing loans, move ahead with development and pursue new investment strategies.

What happened: - HKS Real Estate Advisors arranged more than $500 million in financing across 30 transactions during the first half of 2026. - The closings covered multifamily, mixed-use, retail, student housing and development properties. - The transactions spanned New York, Connecticut and Florida. - The financings included permanent, bridge, lease-up, senior and mezzanine loans for new and longtime clients.

The details: - In Ithaca, New York, Alex Dobosh and Andrew Pilchick arranged $103.75 million in lease-up financing for a 168,019-square-foot student housing community near Cornell University. - The Ithaca property includes 356 units and 483 beds. - GID Credit provided the financing for the Ithaca deal. - In Brooklyn, Andrew Pilchick, Alex Dobosh and Jacob Kaufman secured a $68.5 million senior and mezzanine package for a 2.25-acre waterfront development site at 10 Java Street. - The Brooklyn site allows about 544,000 buildable square feet of mixed-use development and currently includes a vacant industrial building. - Centennial Bank provided the senior loan, and Sherwood Equities provided the mezzanine financing. - In Vernon, Connecticut, Andrew Pilchick and Alex Dobosh arranged $55.41 million in financing for a 311-unit multifamily property. - Fortress provided the Connecticut financing. - In Manhattan, Ayush Kapahi arranged a $37.5 million refinancing for 230 East 44th Street, a 135,315-square-foot mixed-use property with 164 residential units and six commercial tenants. - Infinity Funds provided that refinancing. - In Miami, Ayush Kapahi secured a $30 million refinancing for Merrick Parc, a 91,911-square-foot mixed-use development site at 3191 SW 39th Avenue. - Miami-Dade County recently incorporated Merrick Parc into its Rapid Transit Zone, lifting as-of-right development potential from 317 residential units to 806 units, plus about 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. - Knighthead Funding provided the Miami loan. - In Long Island City, Daniel Kowalsky arranged a $25.8 million refinancing for a recently completed 52,578-square-foot retail property occupied by iFLY and VIBE Fitness. - Hanover Capital provided the Long Island City financing. - In Brooklyn, Jay Stern secured a $15.2 million refinancing for a two-property portfolio made up of a recently renovated multifamily building and a mixed-use asset with ground-floor retail and residential apartments. - Citi provided the Brooklyn portfolio loan. - In SoHo, Ayush Kapahi arranged a $10 million refinancing for 216 Lafayette Street, where Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Alexis Ohanian, recently signed on as headquarters tenant. - 360 Capital Funding provided the SoHo refinancing. - In SoHo, Michael Lee secured a $6.8 million refinancing for 156 Prince Street, a six-story mixed-use property with two retail spaces and 21 residential apartments. - Peapack Private provided the 156 Prince Street loan. - On Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Daniel Kowalsky arranged a $6.45 million refinancing for an 11,372-square-foot retail condominium at 92-98 Delancey Street. - Citizens Private provided the Lower East Side refinancing. - In Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood, Daniel Kowalsky secured a $4.8 million refinancing for 30 Saint Felix Street, a 25,032-square-foot multifamily property with 16 free-market apartments. - Chase Bank provided the Fort Greene loan. - HKS said the transactions reflect activity across both new and longstanding client relationships.

Between the lines: - The mix of lease-up, refinance and development capital suggests lenders are willing to support properties that already show leasing progress or have identifiable path-to-value. - The concentration of deals in New York also suggests that the city remains a core market for financing despite broader market caution. - The Miami zoning change shows how municipal planning decisions can quickly alter a project’s financing and development profile.

What's next: - HKS expects borrowers to keep seeking refinancing for maturing loans in the second half of 2026. - The firm also expects more financing tied to development execution and new acquisition strategies. - HKS directs readers to more information about the firm and its financing portfolio.