David Kessler is a Managing Director at Newmark, specializing in urban retail leasing across the San Francisco Bay Area. With more than a decade of experience advising top-tier landlords and retail brands, Kessler is known for delivering tailored, results-driven strategies for both institutional ownership groups and national retailers.
Kessler represents an impressive roster of ownership clients, including Essex Property Trust, Hudson Pacific, DEKA, Transformco, Seritage, Vanbarton Group and Equity Residential. His experience spans a wide range of high-profile retail properties across core urban markets.
On the tenant side, Kessler has played a key role in rollouts and leasing strategies for respected brands such as Shake Shack, Mendocino Farms, Charles Schwab, Joe & The Juice and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. His deep market knowledge and thoughtful execution have made him a trusted advisor to clients seeking to grow or reposition their retail footprint.
Prior to joining Newmark, Kessler developed a reputation as a rising leader in Bay Area retail brokerage, combining strategic insight with a collaborative approach.
Education
Kessler obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a student-athlete on the Division I water polo team and a member of the U.S. National Water Polo Team—an experience that shaped his competitive drive and commitment to excellence.