Newark Block by Block

Newark Block by Block

Robert Belzer

Real Estate Analyst, NDD

Robert has worked for NDD for a little over two years. He tracks the real estate operation fundamentals of the various commercial real estate property types in Newark and the operating performance of the commercial properties.

But for Robert, the buildings are only part of the story. Getting to know the residents and business owners who work and live in the buildings is a vital and enriching part of the real estate story. He goes into the community a few times a year to connect with store owners and gain further insight into the various dynamics that make up Newark’s communities. He particularly likes going around with the Quality of Life Ambassadors; the business owners have a plethora of knowledge about the daily life of the city and talking with them informs and enhances his real estate reporting. 

In fact, if he could choose one person to trade places with at NDD for a day, it would be Peter Chapman, Marketing Associate, because of Peter’s active involvement and interactions with so many Newark businesses. Robert loves to interface with community members, hear their opportunities and challenges, and learn how NDD can help them out.

“Real estate is more than just the buildings, it’s always about the life in and around them.”

He is both energized by the deep history of Newark and excited about its progress, like the renewal of Harriet Tubman Square, and its plans for a dog park, children’s playground and event space.  In a recent favorite project, he generated a study used by the Department of Economic and Housing Development as a component of launching the Newark Retail Reactivation program. All these improvements are wonderful for residents, and they are attracting new business activity as well. “There are always fun things to write about in Newark,” he observes. Although commercial office space in Newark is still struggling somewhat post-pandemic, other sectors — retail, multi-family, and hospitality — are very strong in the city.

In his spare time, Robert enjoys being outdoors, hiking and bike riding. Active in environmental issues, he plants trees for fun. He volunteers with the South Mountain Reservation Reforestation Team to plant native trees, and he even grows saplings in his own yard that he will transplant in the spring. He also loves museums, especially the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan and The Newark Museum, which he describes as “truly special.”

Favorite Newark Spot:

Food Truck Friday and the Fall Festival.