At Dreamscape, we are stewards of both creativity and capital. Our goal is to (re)develop residential, retail, hospitality, entertainment and gaming properties into unique and dynamic environments that command attention and maximize value for our investors.
Dreamscape's mission is to generate long-term financial prosperity through a diversified portfolio of differentiated, forward-thinking real estate projects.
Our focus is on creating multi-faceted and dynamic residential, retail, hospitality, entertainment and gaming experiences.
Led by Chairman Eric Birnbaum, Dreamscape’s team has forged deep connections within the commercial real estate industry nationwide. With trust established and a proven vision, Dreamscape has access to proprietary, off-market deals and is able to transact with speed, skill and integrity. We strive to efficiently acquire properties and then (re)develop them into fully realized and uniquely vibrant destinations. In doing so, we aim to promote and celebrate contemporary cultural values while fostering lasting financial success.
Dreamscape’s team also has a strong and unique network of creative collaborators within the music, fashion, food and beverage and design worlds, having worked with top talents across varied industries – including music and fashion powerhouse Pharrell Williams, renowned interior designer Ken Fulk, award-winning architect Morris Adjmi, nightlife and F&B impresario David Grutman at Groot Hospitality, Jeff Zalaznick at Major Food Group, and many others. We aim to cultivate new and unexpected relationships on an ongoing basis so that each of our properties deliver a unique, innovative and memorable imprint.
For Dreamscape, real estate is a source of both value and diverse cultural engagement. By galvanizing bespoke and specialized experiences, we strive to nurture distinctive, lively and worldly communities.
Dreamscape is headquartered in New York City. Additionally, we have on-ground staffing in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami.
Led by Chairman, CEO and Founder Eric Birnbaum, Dreamscape’s talented team of real estate professionals has collectively deployed in excess of $35 billion in capital across residential, retail, hospitality, entertainment and gaming experiences with decades of experience in these verticals. Eric and his team have worked on a diverse portfolio of significant properties, including critically acclaimed endeavors such as Henry Hall in New York's Hudson Yards, The Pod Hotel in New York’s Times Square, The Goodtime Hotel in South Beach, Miami, The Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and 5420 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.
“Dreamscape focuses on well-located real estate and seeks to create lasting and one-of-a-kind experiences that are targeted to generate outsized returns.”
Eric Birnbaum
Chairman, CEO and Founder, Dreamscape Companies.
Residential
Eric Birnbaum
Chairman, CEO and Founder
Eric is a New York City-based real estate developer. Eric began his career in 1996 on Wall Street at Bear Stearns. He left Wall Street and joined Vornado Realty Trust in 2002 where he worked in both Acquisitions and Development. While at Vornado, Eric participated in over $1.5 billion of transactions. In early 2008, Eric started his own development company that has subsequently transformed into a diversified real estate and gaming platform known as Dreamscape Companies. Dreamscape owns residential, hospitality and gaming assets in high barrier to entry growth markets; including: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Nashville and Las Vegas.
Over the course of his real estate career, Eric has developed a diverse portfolio of significant properties, including critically acclaimed endeavors such as Henry Hall which was awarded “best new multi-family development” by Multifamily Executive. Eric has also stewarded other major well-known projects, including The Pod Hotel in New York’s Times Square, a popular and unique 710-room hotel and mixed-use ground-up development, The Goodtime Hotel, a mixed-use hospitality concept in Miami’s South Beach and is currently restoring the iconic Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas into premiere resorts.
A native of New York City, Eric is an avid runner and a New York Mets fan. His favorite hometown restaurants include Legacy Records, Carbone and Tal Bagels. He lives on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with his wife, their three children and Rio, their Bernedoodle.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Pennsylvania.
John Eder
President & Chief Financial Officer
John is a transformational leader and accomplished financial executive with over 30 years of experience working with large and most iconic brands in the hospitality industry, with significant global operating experience in omni-channel businesses. John’s career reflects a demonstrated record in leading successful large-scale transformation initiatives, optimizing economic management processes in complex, global business environments, and executing M&A transactions across the deal lifecycle in domestic and global markets. He also brings deep corporate governance experience through his work with corporate boards, including audit and compliance committees and is qualified to serve on audit committees as a financial expert.
John spent over 20 years in numerous financial leadership roles at Seminole Gaming and Seminole Hard Rock Holdings LLC. Including EVP & CFO of both organizations. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in growing the company’s EBITDA 10x. Over the years, he has overseen M&A transactions for multiple casinos, both existing and green field projects. Additionally, John led the creation of a shared services organization for Seminole Gaming/Seminole/Hard Rock while harmonizing financial systems, banking, insurance, benefits, and staffing. Furthermore, he was instrumental in implementing the design of the 401k plans, health insurance benefits, property and casualty programs and general ledger/reporting.
John was responsible for overseeing the corporate finance and risk management teams, along with membership in numerous committees - compensation, benefits, information technology, credit, and investment. He was responsible for investor relations and has extensive experience in the financial markets, raising over $10 billion in debt, acquisitions of $1.5 billion and maintaining investment grade ratings with all three credit rating agencies. John worked directly with the board, audit, and compliance committees on a quarterly basis. He presented regularly on financial and operating results, financial transactions, compensation studies and the annual company valuation.
John started his career in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand. Thereafter, he started his hospitality career at Walt Disney World and adding casino/gaming while working at Kerzner International Hotels.
John received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Eastern Michigan University and Master’s degree from the University of Florida. He is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
President & Chief Financial Officer
Evan Weiner
Chief Legal Officer
Evan Weiner serves as Chief Legal Office at Dreamscape Companies. Evan was formerly the General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of Imperial Companies LLC, a real estate private equity investment firm founded by Michael Fascitelli, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Vornado Realty Trust, and Dreamscape’s Founder and CEO, Eric Birnbaum.
Prior to his time at Imperial, Evan was a partner in the Corporate Practice Group at Davis & Gilbert LLP in New York where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, financings and other transactional matters. Prior to joining Davis & Gilbert in 2001, Mr. Weiner was a corporate attorney at O’Melveny & Myers in New York.
Evan lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with his wife and two children. Evan holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and JD from the Fordham University School of Law.
Chief Legal Officer
Tom Ellis
Chief Investment Officer
Tom Ellis has worked with Eric Birnbaum since 2003. Immediately prior to joining Dreamscape, Tom was Vice-President at Imperial Companies from 2014 to 2019, and before that worked at ELB Holdings and Vornado Realty Trust. Prior to joining Vornado in 2003, Tom worked for Bank of America Securities (now Bank of America/Merrill Lynch). Over his career, Tom has played an integral role in buying, selling and structuring both residential, retail, hospitality and gaming assets. Tom has been involved in over $6 billion of capital deployment since 2003. While at Vornado, Tom closed over $3 billion of acquisitions and re-financings of office, retail, apartment and industrial properties in New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, Texas and Mexico.
Tom is a native Virginian that now calls Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood home. In New York City, Tom’s favorite restaurants are The Writing Room, City Winery and Legacy Records (along with anywhere that’s broadcasting Arsenal F.C. English Premier League matches). When not in Yorkville, Tom likes to visit the Jersey Shore, Long Island’s North Fork and his brother in Los Angeles.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
Chief Investment Officer
Marty Millman
Vice President, Development & Construction Services
Marty Millman has been with Dreamscape since its founding. He previously served as Vice-President of Construction and Development at Imperial Companies from 2014 to 2019. Before joining Imperial, Marty worked with Eric Birnbaum at ELB Holdings and earlier as Global Account Director at Sefaira, a startup software company with the mission to promote more sustainable buildings by providing the design and development community with innovative web-based energy efficiency analysis software. In that role, he worked closely with some of the biggest architecture firms in the world. Marty also served previously as Senior Project Manager at Colgate Development, where he represented owners and equity partners on The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte (LEED Gold), W Hollywood Hotel and Condominiums (LEED Silver), and various Extell Development projects in New York City.
Marty’s love of food, music, and travel takes him often to New Orleans, his favorite U.S. city. He loves to re-read John D. MacDonald novels, never fails to complete The New York Times Crossword Puzzle, and tries out for Jeopardy every year but has yet to make the cut. Marty lives with his wife and their two boys in Summit, New Jersey.
Marty holds a Bachelor of Arts in Design of the Environment and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Structural Building Systems from University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Architecture from University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.
Vice President, Development & Construction Services
Hospitality
Eric Birnbaum
Chairman, CEO and Founder
Eric is a New York City-based real estate developer. Eric began his career in 1996 on Wall Street at Bear Stearns. He left Wall Street and joined Vornado Realty Trust in 2002 where he worked in both Acquisitions and Development. While at Vornado, Eric participated in over $1.5 billion of transactions. In early 2008, Eric started his own development company that has subsequently transformed into a diversified real estate and gaming platform known as Dreamscape Companies. Dreamscape owns residential, hospitality and gaming assets in high barrier to entry growth markets; including: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Nashville and Las Vegas.
Over the course of his real estate career, Eric has developed a diverse portfolio of significant properties, including critically acclaimed endeavors such as Henry Hall which was awarded “best new multi-family development” by Multifamily Executive. Eric has also stewarded other major well-known projects, including The Pod Hotel in New York’s Times Square, a popular and unique 710-room hotel and mixed-use ground-up development, The Goodtime Hotel, a mixed-use hospitality concept in Miami’s South Beach and is currently restoring the iconic Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas into premiere resorts.
A native of New York City, Eric is an avid runner and a New York Mets fan. His favorite hometown restaurants include Legacy Records, Carbone and Tal Bagels. He lives on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with his wife, their three children and Rio, their Bernedoodle.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Pennsylvania.
John Eder
President & Chief Financial Officer
John is a transformational leader and accomplished financial executive with over 30 years of experience working with large and most iconic brands in the hospitality industry, with significant global operating experience in omni-channel businesses. John’s career reflects a demonstrated record in leading successful large-scale transformation initiatives, optimizing economic management processes in complex, global business environments, and executing M&A transactions across the deal lifecycle in domestic and global markets. He also brings deep corporate governance experience through his work with corporate boards, including audit and compliance committees and is qualified to serve on audit committees as a financial expert.
John spent over 20 years in numerous financial leadership roles at Seminole Gaming and Seminole Hard Rock Holdings LLC. Including EVP & CFO of both organizations. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in growing the company’s EBITDA 10x. Over the years, he has overseen M&A transactions for multiple casinos, both existing and green field projects. Additionally, John led the creation of a shared services organization for Seminole Gaming/Seminole/Hard Rock while harmonizing financial systems, banking, insurance, benefits, and staffing. Furthermore, he was instrumental in implementing the design of the 401k plans, health insurance benefits, property and casualty programs and general ledger/reporting.
John was responsible for overseeing the corporate finance and risk management teams, along with membership in numerous committees - compensation, benefits, information technology, credit, and investment. He was responsible for investor relations and has extensive experience in the financial markets, raising over $10 billion in debt, acquisitions of $1.5 billion and maintaining investment grade ratings with all three credit rating agencies. John worked directly with the board, audit, and compliance committees on a quarterly basis. He presented regularly on financial and operating results, financial transactions, compensation studies and the annual company valuation.
John started his career in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand. Thereafter, he started his hospitality career at Walt Disney World and adding casino/gaming while working at Kerzner International Hotels.
John received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Eastern Michigan University and Master’s degree from the University of Florida. He is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
President & Chief Financial Officer
Evan Weiner
Chief Legal Officer
Evan Weiner serves as Chief Legal Office at Dreamscape Companies. Evan was formerly the General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of Imperial Companies LLC, a real estate private equity investment firm founded by Michael Fascitelli, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Vornado Realty Trust, and Dreamscape’s Founder and CEO, Eric Birnbaum.
Prior to his time at Imperial, Evan was a partner in the Corporate Practice Group at Davis & Gilbert LLP in New York where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, financings and other transactional matters. Prior to joining Davis & Gilbert in 2001, Mr. Weiner was a corporate attorney at O’Melveny & Myers in New York.
Evan lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with his wife and two children. Evan holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and JD from the Fordham University School of Law.
Chief Legal Officer
Tom Ellis
Chief Investment Officer
Tom Ellis has worked with Eric Birnbaum since 2003. Immediately prior to joining Dreamscape, Tom was Vice-President at Imperial Companies from 2014 to 2019, and before that worked at ELB Holdings and Vornado Realty Trust. Prior to joining Vornado in 2003, Tom worked for Bank of America Securities (now Bank of America/Merrill Lynch). Over his career, Tom has played an integral role in buying, selling and structuring both residential, retail, hospitality and gaming assets. Tom has been involved in over $6 billion of capital deployment since 2003. While at Vornado, Tom closed over $3 billion of acquisitions and re-financings of office, retail, apartment and industrial properties in New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, Texas and Mexico.
Tom is a native Virginian that now calls Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood home. In New York City, Tom’s favorite restaurants are The Writing Room, City Winery and Legacy Records (along with anywhere that’s broadcasting Arsenal F.C. English Premier League matches). When not in Yorkville, Tom likes to visit the Jersey Shore, Long Island’s North Fork and his brother in Los Angeles.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
Chief Investment Officer
Scott Broder
President, Hospitality
Scott Broder oversees Dreamscape’s hospitality group. Prior to joining Dreamscape, Scott was the Head of Hotel Investments at The Witkoff Group, where he oversaw all aspects of hotel acquisitions, dispositions and asset management. The hotel portfolio at The Witkoff Group included several prominent locations including the EDITION West Hollywood and the Park Lane Hotel and PUBLIC Hotel in New York City. Before Witkoff, Scott was the Director of Acquisitions at Sunstone Hotel Investors (NYSE:SHO). Over Scott’s career, he has completed over $2 billion in hotel transactions, including the acquisitions of Boston Park Plaza, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Maui.
A native of New York City, Scott likes to eat regularly at Bar Pitti, J.G. Melon and Peter Luger Steakhouse. Scott has lived in London, Chicago, and Southern California, though he now calls New York City home once again. Scott loves to travel and live an active lifestyle, regularly playing in a Sunday morning basketball game. When he is not in the Big Apple, Scott enjoys spending time in Sag Harbor playing golf or visiting the beach with family and friends. He’s also a classic car enthusiast.
Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.
President, Hospitality
Larry Robinson
Vice President, Acquisitions & Asset Management
Larry Robinson joins Dreamscape as an Associate focused on hotel acquisitions and asset management. Prior to joining in 2021, Larry was at Pebblebrook Hotel Trust supporting the intensive asset management of more than 15 lifestyle hotels and resorts, including a number of major rebranding and repositioning projects. He also helped lead the integration of portfolio best practices as part of the $5-billion public REIT merger between Pebblebrook Hotel Trust and LaSalle Hotel Properties.
As a native of Philadelphia, Larry is an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Sixers fan. On weekends, you can find him playing tennis, traveling to a new destination or coordinating music jam sessions with friends at local studios.
Larry holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.
Vice President, Acquisitions & Asset Management
Marty Millman
Vice President, Development & Construction Services
Marty Millman has been with Dreamscape since its founding. He previously served as Vice-President of Construction and Development at Imperial Companies from 2014 to 2019. Before joining Imperial, Marty worked with Eric Birnbaum at ELB Holdings and earlier as Global Account Director at Sefaira, a startup software company with the mission to promote more sustainable buildings by providing the design and development community with innovative web-based energy efficiency analysis software. In that role, he worked closely with some of the biggest architecture firms in the world. Marty also served previously as Senior Project Manager at Colgate Development, where he represented owners and equity partners on The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte (LEED Gold), W Hollywood Hotel and Condominiums (LEED Silver), and various Extell Development projects in New York City.
Marty’s love of food, music, and travel takes him often to New Orleans, his favorite U.S. city. He loves to re-read John D. MacDonald novels, never fails to complete The New York Times Crossword Puzzle, and tries out for Jeopardy every year but has yet to make the cut. Marty lives with his wife and their two boys in Summit, New Jersey.
Marty holds a Bachelor of Arts in Design of the Environment and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Structural Building Systems from University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Architecture from University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.
Vice President, Development & Construction Services
Gaming
Eric Birnbaum
Chairman, CEO and Founder
Eric is a New York City-based real estate developer. Eric began his career in 1996 on Wall Street at Bear Stearns. He left Wall Street and joined Vornado Realty Trust in 2002 where he worked in both Acquisitions and Development. While at Vornado, Eric participated in over $1.5 billion of transactions. In early 2008, Eric started his own development company that has subsequently transformed into a diversified real estate and gaming platform known as Dreamscape Companies. Dreamscape owns residential, hospitality and gaming assets in high barrier to entry growth markets; including: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Nashville and Las Vegas.
Over the course of his real estate career, Eric has developed a diverse portfolio of significant properties, including critically acclaimed endeavors such as Henry Hall which was awarded “best new multi-family development” by Multifamily Executive. Eric has also stewarded other major well-known projects, including The Pod Hotel in New York’s Times Square, a popular and unique 710-room hotel and mixed-use ground-up development, The Goodtime Hotel, a mixed-use hospitality concept in Miami’s South Beach and is currently restoring the iconic Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas into premiere resorts.
A native of New York City, Eric is an avid runner and a New York Mets fan. His favorite hometown restaurants include Legacy Records, Carbone and Tal Bagels. He lives on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with his wife, their three children and Rio, their Bernedoodle.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Pennsylvania.
Evan Weiner
Chief Legal Officer
Evan Weiner serves as Chief Legal Office at Dreamscape Companies. Evan was formerly the General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of Imperial Companies LLC, a real estate private equity investment firm founded by Michael Fascitelli, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Vornado Realty Trust, and Dreamscape’s Founder and CEO, Eric Birnbaum.
Prior to his time at Imperial, Evan was a partner in the Corporate Practice Group at Davis & Gilbert LLP in New York where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, financings and other transactional matters. Prior to joining Davis & Gilbert in 2001, Mr. Weiner was a corporate attorney at O’Melveny & Myers in New York.
Evan lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with his wife and two children. Evan holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and JD from the Fordham University School of Law.
Chief Legal Officer
Tom Ellis
Chief Investment Officer
Tom Ellis has worked with Eric Birnbaum since 2003. Immediately prior to joining Dreamscape, Tom was Vice-President at Imperial Companies from 2014 to 2019, and before that worked at ELB Holdings and Vornado Realty Trust. Prior to joining Vornado in 2003, Tom worked for Bank of America Securities (now Bank of America/Merrill Lynch). Over his career, Tom has played an integral role in buying, selling and structuring both residential, retail, hospitality and gaming assets. Tom has been involved in over $6 billion of capital deployment since 2003. While at Vornado, Tom closed over $3 billion of acquisitions and re-financings of office, retail, apartment and industrial properties in New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, Texas and Mexico.
Tom is a native Virginian that now calls Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood home. In New York City, Tom’s favorite restaurants are The Writing Room, City Winery and Legacy Records (along with anywhere that’s broadcasting Arsenal F.C. English Premier League matches). When not in Yorkville, Tom likes to visit the Jersey Shore, Long Island’s North Fork and his brother in Los Angeles.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
Chief Investment Officer
Patrick Miller
President, Gaming
Patrick Miller boasts over 28 years in the gaming and hospitality industry, notably serving as Senior Vice President of Hospitality at MGM Resorts International. His tenure at MGM included overseeing iconic Las Vegas properties such as MGM Grand, New York-New York, and Excalibur, alongside innovative projects such as revamping guest contact strategies and gaming telemarketing divisions.
Beginning his career at The Mirage after graduating from The University of Notre Dame, Miller had various roles throughout his tenure, including Vice President of Slots and Vice President of Marketing at Mandalay Bay.
Recognized for his leadership, he assumed roles as General Manager and ultimately President and COO of Monte Carlo, spearheading its transformation into Park MGM & Nomad Hotel —a half-billion-dollar endeavor lauded for its innovative brand concept and employee culture.
Patrick is a native of Las Vegas, a proud father of four children, and husband of 25 years to his wife, Jennifer. He enjoys hunting, fishing and mountain biking and competes throughout the year. He is an active community member serving as a board member of several Las Vegas most recognizable philanthropies.
President, Gaming
Christopher Balaban
Chief Financial Officer, Gaming
Christopher Balaban currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Rio Las Vegas, where he leads the strategic and financial planning efforts across all departments. In his role, Christopher is responsible for driving revenue growth, enhancing profitability, managing budgets and expenses, and overseeing financial reporting, forecasting, and cost analysis. He works collaboratively with teams across Finance, Accounting, IT, Purchasing, Casino, and Guest Services, playing a key role in supporting Rio’s operational excellence and long-term vision through the Go BeY.O.N.D. initiative.
Christopher brings an extensive industry experience, most recently serving as CFO for Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, where he helped implement post-COVID retention and recruitment strategies, launched new training programs, and contributed to the development of a $1 billion expansion plan. His career also includes senior finance leadership roles at several prominent hospitality and gaming organizations, including Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento, Affinity Gaming's Primm Valley Resorts, and Penn National Gaming's Hollywood Casino in Chicago.
Beginning his career in the hospitality industry as a dishwasher, Christopher has always been passionate about the guest experience. His interest in finance grew from a desire to understand how numbers tell the story of service, team engagement, and fiscal responsibility.
Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Christopher enjoys spending his free time outdoors—hiking, biking, skiing, and gardening. A former triathlete, he now focuses on staying active and spending time with family.
Chief Financial Officer, Gaming
Michelle Engstrom
Vice President Marketing, Gaming
Michelle Engstrom is a hospitality marketing expert with over 19 years of experience in driving brand growth through innovative storytelling and strategic leadership. She joined Rio Las Vegas in 2024, following an impressive career with senior roles including Chief Marketing Officer at Gordon Ramsay North America, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Chef Michael Mina’s TableOne Hospitality and MINA Group, and Vice President of Hospitality Marketing at Caesars Entertainment. Her experience also spans diverse leadership positions at Davidson Hotels & Resorts, SLS Las Vegas, TAO Group, and Bolthouse Productions.
She is highly skilled in brand management, entertainment, and marketing activations, with a talent for navigating complex corporate environments and building strong relationships. Michelle has developed a proven track record of leading teams, negotiating contracts, and delivering impactful, revenue-generating results with tenacity and efficiency.
Originally from Los Angeles, she has spent over 13 years in Las Vegas and takes great pride in being part of Rio’s transformation. When not at work, you will find this fitness enthusiast working out and spending time with her husband and young daughter.
Vice President Marketing, Gaming
Don Purdue
Vice President, Development & Construction Services
Don Purdue brings more than 35 years of experience in Construction and Land Development. He has extensive experience in the development of Master Planned Communities, Golf Courses, and has worked for several notable Fortune 500 companies in senior leadership roles. For the past six years he served as the Vice President of Development, spearheading the remodel of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
As a native of Las Vegas and third-generation Nevadan, Don is a dedicated member of the community. In 2011, he co-founded Project 150, a local non-profit serving displaced and disadvantaged high school students. He and his wife, Laurie, have raised four grown children in the valley. He is an avid mountain biker, hiker and Golden Knights fan.
Don graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Science in Finance.
Vice President, Development & Construction Services
Ryan Portenoy
Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Asset Management
Ryan joined Dreamscape in 2021 and is responsible for sourcing and managing hospitality and gaming opportunities. Ryan previously worked for The Blackstone Group within the Tactical Opportunities asset management and Private Equity groups, where he was responsible for managing portfolio companies on key strategic and operating initiatives. During his tenure, Ryan worked extensively with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on key casino development projects. Prior to joining Blackstone, Ryan worked in the Transaction Services consulting group at PwC, where he advised clients on complex transaction and deal-related solutions.
Ryan is a native New Yorker and has also lived in Las Vegas and Washington DC. He currently resides in Manhattan’s West Village, and enjoys exploring the city in search for the best coffee shop, attending New York Giants games, sparring at boxing classes and playing pickup basketball games. Ryan also is a mentor for the SEO Scholars program, which helps high school students navigate both college aspirations and their future careers.
Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Providence College and holds a CPA license in the State of New York.
Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Asset Management
Tanner Combias
Vice President, Acquisitions & Asset Management
Tanner joined Dreamscape in the summer of 2022. He is responsible for both acquisition and asset management within the hospitality and gaming division at Dreamscape.
After graduating from college, Tanner spent five years working in the New York Deals team at PricewaterhouseCoopers. During this time, he specialized in valuation, working on dozens of deals across a variety of sectors. He also spent time in complex accounting advisory and pre-deal operational due diligence. After his time at PricewaterhouseCoopers, he spent a year playing competitive tennis down in Florida and then a year backpacking around the world. He returned to the States and, prior to joining Dreamscape, Tanner worked in wealth advisory and created a start-up centered around low-code mobile web applications focused on enhancing the guest and tenant experience at hotels and apartment communities.
Tanner is New Jersey born and raised and currently resides in New York City. He enjoys visiting his family in the burbs, playing tennis in Central Park, and creating ceramics on the wheel in the West Village.
Tanner earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Masters of Accountancy from Wake Forest University and holds a CPA license in the State of New York.
Vice President, Acquisitions & Asset Management
Matt Garrow
Associate, Acquisitions & Asset Management
Matt joined Dreamscape in 2023 as an Associate focused on Gaming Acquisitions & Asset Management. Prior to joining in 2023, Matt was on the Leveraged & Sponsor Finance team at Citizens Bank where he underwrote financing to public and private companies across several industries, including over $150 million to gaming specific companies. Additionally, he managed a portfolio of twenty corporate companies with an aggregate credit exposure of over $700 million.
Matt is a native of Massachusetts and currently resides in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Outside of work, Matt enjoys watching Providence College basketball games, golfing, exploring new restaurants in the city, and traveling with family and friends.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Providence College.
Associate, Acquisitions & Asset Management
Retail
Eric Birnbaum
Chairman, CEO and Founder
Eric is a New York City-based real estate developer. Eric began his career in 1996 on Wall Street at Bear Stearns. He left Wall Street and joined Vornado Realty Trust in 2002 where he worked in both Acquisitions and Development. While at Vornado, Eric participated in over $1.5 billion of transactions. In early 2008, Eric started his own development company that has subsequently transformed into a diversified real estate and gaming platform known as Dreamscape Companies. Dreamscape owns residential, hospitality and gaming assets in high barrier to entry growth markets; including: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Nashville and Las Vegas.
Over the course of his real estate career, Eric has developed a diverse portfolio of significant properties, including critically acclaimed endeavors such as Henry Hall which was awarded “best new multi-family development” by Multifamily Executive. Eric has also stewarded other major well-known projects, including The Pod Hotel in New York’s Times Square, a popular and unique 710-room hotel and mixed-use ground-up development, The Goodtime Hotel, a mixed-use hospitality concept in Miami’s South Beach and is currently restoring the iconic Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas into premiere resorts.
A native of New York City, Eric is an avid runner and a New York Mets fan. His favorite hometown restaurants include Legacy Records, Carbone and Tal Bagels. He lives on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with his wife, their three children and Rio, their Bernedoodle.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Pennsylvania.
Chairman, CEO and Founder
John Eder
President & Chief Financial Officer
John is a transformational leader and accomplished financial executive with over 30 years of experience working with large and most iconic brands in the hospitality industry, with significant global operating experience in omni-channel businesses. John’s career reflects a demonstrated record in leading successful large-scale transformation initiatives, optimizing economic management processes in complex, global business environments, and executing M&A transactions across the deal lifecycle in domestic and global markets. He also brings deep corporate governance experience through his work with corporate boards, including audit and compliance committees and is qualified to serve on audit committees as a financial expert.
John spent over 20 years in numerous financial leadership roles at Seminole Gaming and Seminole Hard Rock Holdings LLC. Including EVP & CFO of both organizations. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in growing the company’s EBITDA 10x. Over the years, he has overseen M&A transactions for multiple casinos, both existing and green field projects. Additionally, John led the creation of a shared services organization for Seminole Gaming/Seminole/Hard Rock while harmonizing financial systems, banking, insurance, benefits, and staffing. Furthermore, he was instrumental in implementing the design of the 401k plans, health insurance benefits, property and casualty programs and general ledger/reporting.
John was responsible for overseeing the corporate finance and risk management teams, along with membership in numerous committees - compensation, benefits, information technology, credit, and investment. He was responsible for investor relations and has extensive experience in the financial markets, raising over $10 billion in debt, acquisitions of $1.5 billion and maintaining investment grade ratings with all three credit rating agencies. John worked directly with the board, audit, and compliance committees on a quarterly basis. He presented regularly on financial and operating results, financial transactions, compensation studies and the annual company valuation.
John started his career in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand. Thereafter, he started his hospitality career at Walt Disney World and adding casino/gaming while working at Kerzner International Hotels.
John received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Eastern Michigan University and Master’s degree from the University of Florida. He is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
President & Chief Financial Officer
Evan Weiner
Chief Legal Officer
Evan Weiner serves as Chief Legal Office at Dreamscape Companies. Evan was formerly the General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of Imperial Companies LLC, a real estate private equity investment firm founded by Michael Fascitelli, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Vornado Realty Trust, and Dreamscape’s Founder and CEO, Eric Birnbaum.
Prior to his time at Imperial, Evan was a partner in the Corporate Practice Group at Davis & Gilbert LLP in New York where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, financings and other transactional matters. Prior to joining Davis & Gilbert in 2001, Mr. Weiner was a corporate attorney at O’Melveny & Myers in New York.
Evan lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with his wife and two children. Evan holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and JD from the Fordham University School of Law.
Chief Legal Officer
Tom Ellis
Chief Investment Officer
Tom Ellis has worked with Eric Birnbaum since 2003. Immediately prior to joining Dreamscape, Tom was Vice-President at Imperial Companies from 2014 to 2019, and before that worked at ELB Holdings and Vornado Realty Trust. Prior to joining Vornado in 2003, Tom worked for Bank of America Securities (now Bank of America/Merrill Lynch). Over his career, Tom has played an integral role in buying, selling and structuring both residential, retail, hospitality and gaming assets. Tom has been involved in over $6 billion of capital deployment since 2003. While at Vornado, Tom closed over $3 billion of acquisitions and re-financings of office, retail, apartment and industrial properties in New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, Texas and Mexico.
Tom is a native Virginian that now calls Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood home. In New York City, Tom’s favorite restaurants are The Writing Room, City Winery and Legacy Records (along with anywhere that’s broadcasting Arsenal F.C. English Premier League matches). When not in Yorkville, Tom likes to visit the Jersey Shore, Long Island’s North Fork and his brother in Los Angeles.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
Chief Investment Officer
Joshua Strauss
Co-President, Retail & Entertainment
Joshua Strauss is Co-President of Retail and Entertainment at Dreamscape. He brings over 25 years of industry experience specializing in landlord and tenant representation. Strauss will lead the company’s efforts in immersive retail experiences, traditional retail, and food and beverage within its portfolio, and continue to represent a wide array of Tenants and Landlords in their U.S. and international retail real estate endeavors.
Prior to joining Dreamscape Companies, Strauss served as an Executive Managing Director at Newmark, where he represented major national and international retail, entertainment and real estate companies including Netflix, Sony, Theory, FedEx, NBCUniversal, Pret A Manger, Zadig et Voltaire, Citibank, Equinox Fitness and many others. His storied career boasts many accomplishments including assisting in NBCUniversal’s first foray into Las Vegas with the leasing of a 120,000 square-foot stand-alone building off the Las Vegas Strip, Sony’s Wonderverse in 83,000 square feet at Oakbrook Mall outside of Chicago, IL, representing Howard Hughes in the repositioning and leasing of 150,000 square-feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space at The Seaport District in New York City and representing AFI USA in the repositioning and leasing of more than 180,000 square-feet of retail space at the Times Square Building in New York City, with the latter earning him the Real Estate Board of New York’s (REBNY) Most Creative Retail Deal of the Year Award.
As part of Dreamscape Companies’ redevelopment of the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Strauss’ extensive experience and knowledge will serve an integral role in breathing new life to the 200,000 square-feet Masquerade Village space.
Co-President, Retail & Entertainment
Scott Zinovoy
Vice President, Retail & Entertainment
Scott Zinovoy is Vice President of Retail and Entertainment at Dreamscape where he will help direct the company’s efforts in immersive experiences, retail, and food & beverage. Additionally, he will continue to work with a variety of tenants/landlords in their real estate endeavors.
Prior to joining Dreamscape, Zinovoy served as a Director at Newmark where he represented many national/international entertainment brands and retailers--crafting expansion strategies, selecting precise locations, and negotiating both short and long-term transactions. Select clients include Sony, Amazon, Netflix, FedEx Office, Gordon Ramsay, GameStop, Razer and Malin+Goetz. Among his many accomplishments as a tenant representative, he assisted Sony in its leasing of 83,000 square feet in Oakbrook, Illinois; Rise NY in its leasing of 14,000 square feet at 1530 Broadway NYC; Netflix in its leasing of 6 stores throughout the U.S. and in Europe; Razer in its leasing of 10 locations throughout the U.S; and FedEx Office in its leasing of over 20 locations in NYC. Zinovoy has also worked on behalf of many prominent landlord clients, including in the leasing of 50,000 square feet to Lionsgate at 11 Times Square (where he also represented the tenant), and the leasing of 44,000 square feet to Whole Foods Market and 72,000 square feet to Life Time Fitness at 1 Wall Street, the latter of which earned the 2019 REBNY Most Ingenious Retail Deal of the Year Award.
Zinovoy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Vice President, Retail & Entertainment
Hospitality Management
Eric Birnbaum
Chairman, CEO and Founder
Eric is a New York City-based real estate developer. Eric began his career in 1996 on Wall Street at Bear Stearns. He left Wall Street and joined Vornado Realty Trust in 2002 where he worked in both Acquisitions and Development. While at Vornado, Eric participated in over $1.5 billion of transactions. In early 2008, Eric started his own development company that has subsequently transformed into a diversified real estate and gaming platform known as Dreamscape Companies. Dreamscape owns residential, hospitality and gaming assets in high barrier to entry growth markets; including: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Nashville and Las Vegas.
Over the course of his real estate career, Eric has developed a diverse portfolio of significant properties, including critically acclaimed endeavors such as Henry Hall which was awarded “best new multi-family development” by Multifamily Executive. Eric has also stewarded other major well-known projects, including The Pod Hotel in New York’s Times Square, a popular and unique 710-room hotel and mixed-use ground-up development, The Goodtime Hotel, a mixed-use hospitality concept in Miami’s South Beach and is currently restoring the iconic Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas into premiere resorts.
A native of New York City, Eric is an avid runner and a New York Mets fan. His favorite hometown restaurants include Legacy Records, Carbone and Tal Bagels. He lives on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with his wife, their three children and Rio, their Bernedoodle.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Pennsylvania.
Chairman, CEO and Founder
John Eder
President & Chief Financial Officer
John is a transformational leader and accomplished financial executive with over 30 years of experience working with large and most iconic brands in the hospitality industry, with significant global operating experience in omni-channel businesses. John’s career reflects a demonstrated record in leading successful large-scale transformation initiatives, optimizing economic management processes in complex, global business environments, and executing M&A transactions across the deal lifecycle in domestic and global markets. He also brings deep corporate governance experience through his work with corporate boards, including audit and compliance committees and is qualified to serve on audit committees as a financial expert.
John spent over 20 years in numerous financial leadership roles at Seminole Gaming and Seminole Hard Rock Holdings LLC. Including EVP & CFO of both organizations. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in growing the company’s EBITDA 10x. Over the years, he has overseen M&A transactions for multiple casinos, both existing and green field projects. Additionally, John led the creation of a shared services organization for Seminole Gaming/Seminole/Hard Rock while harmonizing financial systems, banking, insurance, benefits, and staffing. Furthermore, he was instrumental in implementing the design of the 401k plans, health insurance benefits, property and casualty programs and general ledger/reporting.
John was responsible for overseeing the corporate finance and risk management teams, along with membership in numerous committees - compensation, benefits, information technology, credit, and investment. He was responsible for investor relations and has extensive experience in the financial markets, raising over $10 billion in debt, acquisitions of $1.5 billion and maintaining investment grade ratings with all three credit rating agencies. John worked directly with the board, audit, and compliance committees on a quarterly basis. He presented regularly on financial and operating results, financial transactions, compensation studies and the annual company valuation.
John started his career in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand. Thereafter, he started his hospitality career at Walt Disney World and adding casino/gaming while working at Kerzner International Hotels.
John received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Eastern Michigan University and Master’s degree from the University of Florida. He is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
President & Chief Financial Officer
Evan Weiner
Chief Legal Officer
Evan Weiner serves as Chief Legal Office at Dreamscape Companies. Evan was formerly the General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of Imperial Companies LLC, a real estate private equity investment firm founded by Michael Fascitelli, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Vornado Realty Trust, and Dreamscape’s Founder and CEO, Eric Birnbaum.
Prior to his time at Imperial, Evan was a partner in the Corporate Practice Group at Davis & Gilbert LLP in New York where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, financings and other transactional matters. Prior to joining Davis & Gilbert in 2001, Mr. Weiner was a corporate attorney at O’Melveny & Myers in New York.
Evan lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with his wife and two children. Evan holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and JD from the Fordham University School of Law.
Chief Legal Officer
Tom Ellis
Chief Investment Officer
Tom Ellis has worked with Eric Birnbaum since 2003. Immediately prior to joining Dreamscape, Tom was Vice-President at Imperial Companies from 2014 to 2019, and before that worked at ELB Holdings and Vornado Realty Trust. Prior to joining Vornado in 2003, Tom worked for Bank of America Securities (now Bank of America/Merrill Lynch). Over his career, Tom has played an integral role in buying, selling and structuring both residential, retail, hospitality and gaming assets. Tom has been involved in over $6 billion of capital deployment since 2003. While at Vornado, Tom closed over $3 billion of acquisitions and re-financings of office, retail, apartment and industrial properties in New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, Texas and Mexico.
Tom is a native Virginian that now calls Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood home. In New York City, Tom’s favorite restaurants are The Writing Room, City Winery and Legacy Records (along with anywhere that’s broadcasting Arsenal F.C. English Premier League matches). When not in Yorkville, Tom likes to visit the Jersey Shore, Long Island’s North Fork and his brother in Los Angeles.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
Chief Investment Officer
Adam Patenaude
President, Hospitality Management
Adam Patenaude brings 20+ years of industry excellence to his role as President of Dreamscape Hospitality Management and oversees all aspects of Dreamscape Hospitality Management’s day-to-day operations and executive team. Adam and his team support hotels and owners across the portfolio.
Prior to his current role, Adam served in various capacities at Aimbridge Hospitality, spanning over 15 years. Most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Operations in the Full-Service Division. He has also held roles of Vice President of Operations, Regional Director of Operations, Area General Manager and General Manager. During those assignments, Adam and his teams were recognized with a variety of awards for excellent performance, such as: General Manager of the Year, Hotel of the Year, Hotel Sales Team of the Year, Leadership Excellence and eCommerce Excellence. Adam got his start in the industry as a management trainee with Hilton Hotels & Resorts and has worked with hotels in all verticals.
President, Hospitality Management
Ron Phifer
VP Business Development, Hospitality Management
Ron Phifer brings over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, starting his career in 2004 as a Sales Manager at Aimbridge Hospitality after a successful stint as a professional basketball player. Throughout his career, Ron advanced from Sales Manager to Regional Director of Sales, eventually becoming the Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He later transitioned to Vice President of Business Development, where he continued to drive growth and success.
In 2024, Ron joined Dreamscape Hospitality, where he played a key role in the company’s early success, with plans to manage nearly 25 hotels by the end of 2025. His leadership is defined by a focus on delivering measurable results and fostering a people-first approach. Under his direction, Aimbridge’s sales team earned the prestigious Sales Team of the Year award twice, and several properties under his leadership received multiple Hotel of the Year accolades.
Outside of his professional achievements, Ron is a passionate community leader and mentor. He has been a proud member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star since 2019 and serves on its Executive Board. Additionally, Ron has been actively involved with the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers (NABHOOD) for over seven years.
VP Business Development, Hospitality Management
Services
Dreamscape
Hospitality Management
Our sole mission is to enhance your investment returns. Every decision we make is laser-focused on realizing this objective.
Dreamscape
Retail & Entertainment
Swiftly adapting to the ever-changing real estate landscapes and crafting innovative strategies to help clients realize their objectives.
Dreamscape
Gaming
Our development and operational expertise, combined with our strong relationships, foster unique strengths in the gaming space, driving synergies and new opportunities.
Dreamscape is headquartered in New York City.
Additionally, we have offices in Las Vegas, Tampa, Miami and Dallas.
NYC
595 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022
LV
3700 W Flamingo Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89103
DL
6950 TPC Drive
McKinney, TX 75070
MIA
230 NE 4th Street
Miami, FL 33132
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