Kenneth A. Himmel is President of Related Ross and a nationally recognized leader in the creation and transformation of dynamic urban destinations. As President of Related Ross, Mr. Himmel has a particular focus on the energy and vitality of West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County.
Under Mr. Himmel’s leadership, Related launched CityPlace in West Palm Beach in 2000, a 72-acre mixed-use property that catalyzed the revitalization of downtown. In 2016, he spearheaded the reimagination of CityPlace, transforming it into a vibrant, year-round center of commerce and culture with the development of hotel, Class-A office, luxury and workforce residential, and dynamic retail and restaurants. This investment has propelled West Palm Beach into a leading destination for both residents and businesses, capturing national migration trends and fostering a true sense of community.
Mr. Himmel has played a pivotal role in elevating the South Florida region’s restaurant and retail landscape, leading efforts to bring world-class brands including estiatorio Milos, Eataly, Alo, Perigold and Equinox to West Palm Beach, further enhancing the city’s appeal as a top-tier destination for dining, wellness and lifestyle. He led the development of RH West Palm and the Hilton West Palm Beach, both of which are considered anchors in the city’s hospitality and retail sectors.
As President of Related Ross, Mr. Himmel manages a team responsible for a portfolio comprising 2.6 million square feet of office assets in West Palm Beach, with an additional 1.5 million square feet currently in the development pipeline. The firm’s West Palm Beach office holdings include 360 Rosemary, One Flagler, Phillips Point, Esperante, 477 Rosemary, and CityPlace Tower. Two new development towers totaling 1 million square feet of lifestyle office and retail space, 10 CityPlace and 15 CityPlace, are under construction and anticipated to open in 2027. Through these initiatives, Related Ross has played a significant role in transforming the industry landscape in West Palm Beach, attracting prominent new-to-market tenants such as Goldman Sachs, Point 72, Blackrock, GTCR, among others.
His leadership extends to the residential sector, where he co-leads the company’s luxury rental and condominium growth. Notably, The Laurel, which opened in 2024, achieved the fastest lease-up in Related’s history, while new condominium projects including South Flagler House, Shorecrest and the future Family Church site are redefining luxury waterfront living in Palm Beach County.
Related Ross is committed to driving inclusive growth in Palm Beach County. Under Mr. Himmel’s direction, the company is advancing a transformative mixed-use development in Wellington, Florida that will introduce a world-renowned K-12 educational institution and a highly curated retail platform. This project is designed to enhance the community’s educational resources and lifestyle offerings, further strengthening Wellington’s position as a premier destination within the region.
Beyond his work in Florida, Mr. Himmel’s career includes the development of iconic properties globally including Time Warner Center and Hudson Yards in New York, Water Tower Place in Chicago, Copley Place in Boston, and Reston Town Center in Virginia. He is also known for curating acclaimed restaurant collections in Boston and New York including Grill 23 & Bar, The Banks Seafood & Steak, Bistro du Midi, the legendary Per Se with Chef Thomas Keller, and Porter House with Chef Michael Lomonaco.
Mr. Himmel holds a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and a Bachelor of Science from the College of William and Mary. He resides in Palm Beach, Florida, and is active in the community serving on the boards of the Business Development Bureau of Palm Beach County, and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
