Rich Gottlieb has 33 years of experience in real estate and, as president and chief operating officer of Keystone, he’s helped shape the company’s portfolio and success as a prominent developer of office and mixed-use properties.
Gottlieb joined Keystone in 2005. In his current role, he oversees the development, leasing and management of the company’s portfolio, leading a team to execute projects that transform neighborhoods, foster collaboration and drive productivity, the company said.
During his tenure at Keystone, Gottlieb has helped to complete more than 20 million square feet of lease transactions and 5 million square feet of development, valued in the billions of dollars.
Prior to joining Keystone, Gottlieb held leadership roles in renowned commercial real estate companies such as Strouse Greenberg, PREIT, Prentiss Property Group and Stoltz Management. His experience and insight have equipped him with a deep understanding of the industry and a knack for identifying opportunities for transformative redevelopment, his team said.
With its headquarters in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Keystone’s holdings span more than 10 million square feet of office and mixed- use properties, with an additional 2 million square feet under development. Keystone has undertaken transformative projects that have reshaped Philadelphia and New Jersey’s landscapes, including The Curtis, SORA West, The Washington, Middlesex Science Center, 1K1 and One Presidential, among others.
“The risk that stands out to me the most is sticking with Keystone during the global financial crisis,” Gottlieb said. “It was a tough period, especially with the challenges in the real estate market. At that point, I had the option to leave Keystone and begin anew, free from the legacy issues we were grappling with. However, I made a conscious choice to remain with Keystone for as long as they desired my services. I believed that demonstrating loyalty during tough times would enhance my value as an employee. Fortunately, this decision turned out to be incredibly rewarding. As conditions improved, I was recognized for my dedication and eventually became a partner in the company.”
Gottlieb gives back to the industry through his involvement with organizations like NAIOP Philadelphia, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, where he served on the board for over 20 years and held two tenures as president. He also regularly shares his knowledge through industry publications and panel discussions.
“The key qualities of effective leaders in today’s world can be summarized as follows: leading by example, leveraging hindsight to gain valuable experience, recognizing that the finest ideas and outcomes arise through collaborative teamwork and understanding the significance of personally being present in the office to foster unity among team members,” Gottlieb said.
