Uri Kaufman

Uri Kaufman is the CEO of Harmony Group, a commercial real estate investment and development firm based in Albany, New York. He founded the company to unite his interest in historic preservation with his commitment to revitalizing underserved communities. Through Harmony Group, he has led efforts to convert aging industrial buildings into residential spaces that retain their architectural identity while supporting long-term neighborhood transformation.

Working alongside Uri's business partner, Ira Schwartz, he has established a solid track record of identifying undervalued assets, turning around distressed properties, and managing complex development projects nationwide. Their work reflects a focused approach to unlocking the value of neglected structures and bringing them back to life with purpose.

Kaufman began his professional journey as an attorney in Long Island after graduating with honors from New York University School of Law in 1989. After being let go from a legal position, he shifted his focus to real estate. He saw promise in Upstate New York, recognizing that many historic buildings there were well-suited for adaptive reuse as residential lofts.

This vision led to the creation of Harmony Group. Since then, he has remained dedicated to restoring historic buildings and adapting them to meet the needs of contemporary living. His projects have earned recognition at both the state and national levels. Kaufman is recognized for securing historic tax credits, collaborating with stakeholders, and incorporating union labor—all while meeting project deadlines and adhering to regulatory requirements.

In addition to his real estate work, he is also an author. In April 2025, he published American Intifada: Israel, the Gaza War and the New Antisemitism, a book that explores shifting perspectives on Israel. In 2023, he released Eighteen Days in October: The Yom Kippur War and How It Created the Modern Middle East. This book, based on more than two decades of research, includes visits to battlefields, interviews with veterans, and an analysis of declassified documents translated from Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, and German. Leading publications and public figures praised the book.

Uri Kaufman continues to pursue his mission of preserving history and rebuilding communities through his development work and writing.