our people
Michelle Reiss
backstory
Hotels have always felt like a perfect combination of so many of my personal interests: architecture and design, travel, great food, warm hospitality, and the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and customs that make each place distinct. The best hotels have the ability to elevate your visit and leave a lasting impression.
In college I studied architecture and sustainable design, where this passion for hotels and hospitality grew, and pursuing a career in the industry was a natural fit. I found hospitality projects to be dynamic and engaging, with more creative flexibility than other asset classes. With hotels, you have the opportunity to make bold design and program choices to create truly unique and memorable destinations, all while striving to enhance real estate value.
With this in mind, I started my career in real estate investment banking, knowing it would arm me with the analytical tools I needed for a future in acquisitions and development. Since then, I’ve taken on a number of ambitious roles at growing lifestyle hospitality companies, learning to combine real estate strategy with innovative and precise property programming and branding. I leveraged these skills to start an international hospitality consulting business with a long-time business partner. We applied our expertise to provide thoughtful and creative solutions for both pure hotels and unique experiential real estate concepts. I have been fortunate to work extensively with world class partners across the industry, from visionary hotel developers to renowned designers and architects, innovative restaurateurs, and pioneers in culture & entertainment.
What drew me to Tishman was the highly entrepreneurial spirit of the firm, combined with its long-standing reputation and the well-established nature of the business. Here, everyone is encouraged to think outside the box and run with new ideas. As a self-starter, this type of environment is extremely motivating, especially working alongside such a high-quality team of colleagues. Every day, I look forward to solving any challenges that arise and uncovering new opportunities.
professional biography
Michelle Reiss is a Senior Vice President at Tishman Realty, where she works on new acquisition and development opportunities and is involved in overseeing the business strategy and execution of various initiatives across the company’s existing real estate portfolio. Prior to joining Tishman, Michelle was Chief Investment Officer at Ian Schrager Company, leading the firm’s investment strategy and expansion of the PUBLIC hotel brand. Throughout her career, Michelle has led acquisitions and development efforts for a number of lifestyle hospitality brands, including Generator Hostels, King & Grove Hotels, and WeLive / WeWork. Previously, Michelle was a member of the Lodging Investment Banking Group at Cantor Fitzgerald and JF Capital Advisors. Michelle graduated with a BA in Architecture & Sustainable Design from Brown University.
