Meanwhile, Jemal continues to move forward with work on the rest of his $120 million redevelopment of Seneca One – which was vacant for more than three years after its two major tenants, HSBC Bank USA and law firm Phillips Lytle, left for the HSBC Atrium and One Canalside, respectively. They were soon followed by the remaining occupants, as the former owner defaulted on its loan and the building fell into foreclosure.

Jemal bought it and the parking ramp across the street for $12.6 million, and began working to transform the building into a mixed-use complex with apartments, retail stores, restaurants and technology-focused office space.

Two new black-clad brick storefront buildings are largely completed on the plaza level, along with two new clubhouse buildings that have not yet been leased. Most of the two annex buildings and a lower portion of the tower have been converted into 115 market-rate apartments, which have been ready for more than a year, but Jemal has held off on formally recruiting tenants.

"I don't want to open them up until the building doesn't look like a construction site," he said.