Cayuga Capital’s Real Estate Footprint in Brooklyn
Cayuga Capital is a significant developer in Brooklyn, helping neighborhoods transform and grow for over a decade It has developed over 350 apartment units and almost 450,000 square feet of commercial space in the borough, making it one of the largest commercial developers in Williamsburg and one of the largest residential property operators in Bushwick.
From Old Industrial Warehouse to Fitness Chain
One of its signature projects included a long-term lease with California-based fitness chain, Vital Climbing Gym, which transformed a large warehouse on McCarren park into a standout climbing and wellness destination Located at 1 Nassau Avenue on the border of Williamsburg and Greenpoint, the facility repurposed a century-old industrial building into approximately 46,000 square feet of climbing space, fitness amenities, and social areas Cayuga Capital acquired the Brooklyn warehouse in 2017, identifying it as a value-add opportunity through adaptive reuse and strategic tenanting
Recognizing the shifting demand in Brooklyn’s industrial and warehouse market, Cayuga repositioned the site to attract the high-performance fitness tenant CCM’s strategy was successful, as the property was sold in 2023 for $43.3 million, at the time the highest price ever paid for a standalone climbing facility The project also became a template for how thoughtful redevelopment, paired with the right tenant, can unlock hidden value in older assets
From Factory Hub to Retail Use
In Bushwick, Cayuga Capital helped kick off early neighborhood revitalization by converting two aging factory buildings at 22–28 Wyckoff Avenue near Troutman Street into a 10,000-square-foot retail center The project introduced some of the area’s first higher-end retail options, including an organic grocery store, a boutique wine shop, and space for a restaurant or nightlife venue.
Other Projects
Cayuga Capital also redeveloped a 27,000-square-foot site in Bushwick, which included a historic church, a former middle school, and adjacent vacant land into a 99-unit residential complex that preserved much of the church’s original design The 90,000-square-foot project, completed in 2017, seamlessly blends historic preservation with modern urban living
Cayuga Capital sourced, planned, and redeveloped the 100,000sf Lewis Steel Building in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a former 1930s steel factory converted into luxury loft apartments.
The development comprises 83 apartments and 20,000sf of retail and is situated at 76 North 4th Street, spanning the block from Berry to Wythe Streets.
A Move into the Lone Star State
Cayuga Capital has invested in residential and commercial property in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas The real estate firm believes strongly that Texas will continue to grow and prosper and that select projects in Texas can offer very attractive risk-adjusted returns The firm is working on developing pickleball facilities, data center properties, daycare facilities, and other commercial projects These projects drive daily foot traffic, support nearby retail, and attract a diverse mix of residents
About the Co-founders
Co-founders Jacob and Jamie met in college and started Cayuga Capital after a few years working in investment banking, private equity, and law in New York City.
As principal of the company, Jacob brings over 20 years of experience in real estate investment, development, and operations. Before founding Cayuga Capital, he served as Vice President at U S Realty Advisors, LLC, a private real estate investment firm overseeing $3 billion in assets Earlier in his career, he worked in investment banking, including within ING Barings’ Transportation & Logistics Corporate Finance Group, where he handled a range of transactions such as debt and equity issuances, mergers and acquisitions, and private placements Jacob earned his B A in Economics and a Master of Engineering in Operations Research and Financial Engineering from Cornell University
Jamie serves as the general counsel and principal at CCM, bringing over two decades of experience in buying, developing, and operating real estate in New York and Texas Jamie oversees all development and construction projects for Cayuga Capital and shares responsibility for acquisitions and investment strategy Before co-founding the firm, Jamie served as Associate General Counsel at Strategic Value Partners, where he led the legal and operational rollout of the company’s private equity and real estate divisions, managing more than $1 billion in global acquisitions. Earlier in his career, he practiced law at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, specializing in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and the formation of investment funds Jamie holds a B A in Economics and Psychology, as well as a J.D., magna cum laude, from Cornell University, where he was recognized as a John M Olin Scholar in Law and Economics
