Jeff Blau

Jeff Blau (born 1968) is an American businessman and chief executive officer of Related Companies.

Early life and education Blau was born and raised in Bayside, Queens, spending the first nine years of his life there before later moving to Woodbury, Long Island.

Blau attended and graduated from the University of Michigan.

Blau signed up for a graduate-level real estate development class during his junior year. His professor introduced Blau to Stephen M. Ross when Ross delivered an address at a conference.

Career In 1994, Blau was project manager of the joint-purchase, along with Apollo Real Estate, of the Tribeca Tower, converting it to an 80/20 building. as well as a partner at the company.

Since being named CEO, Blau has overseen projects worth over $60 billion. He is most known for spearheading the development and opening of Hudson Yards. Originally a different developer had won the bid to develop the Yards, but backed out in 2008; Related immediately got back involved, with Blau saying he “essentially moved into the office and didn’t leave until the deal got done.” Currently, Blau is working on the company’s efforts to develop the Western Rail Yards, with Related proposing to build a 3 million-square-foot resort tower and 1,700 room hotel.

Blau also is chairman and founding partner of energyRe, a company developing clean energy projects.

Civic and philanthropic activities Blau and his wife Lisa established the Blau Family Foundation in 2014, which provides grants to organizations that focus on education, health, arts and culture.

Blau founded the holding company Bikeshare Holdings LLC, which operates the Citi Bike sharing system in New York, in 2014.

The University of Michigan named a five story building after Blau in 2016. Jeff T. Blau Hall is part of a $135 million construction project on the Ann Arbor campus.

In 2020, he and Lisa launched the Jeff and Lisa Blau Adolescent Consultation Center for Resilience and Treatment at Mount Sinai, where he is a trustee. Known as The Blau Center, it will be a clinical and research platform to increase understanding of psychiatric illness, particularly schizophrenia.

In 2020, he was named as part of Crain's New Influential List of 25 Leaders Reshaping New York.

Personal life Blau has three children. His primary residence is in New York City.