NEW YORK CITY-Africa Israel USA has named Chagit Sofiev-Leviev as its new CEO. Still serving as CEO for LGC USA Holdings, Inc., a privately owned holdings company, Sofiev-Leviev will work with AFI USA to manage the company's current portfolio of US assets.

The daughter of the company's parent firm's chief executive, Lev Leviev, she succeeds Tamir Kazaz. Sofiev-Leviev recently completed a $215 million refinancing of the lower floors of the old New York Times building, at 229 W. 43rd St., where AFI owns a 250,000-square-foot retail condominium. Additionally, Sofiev-Leviev is currently negotiating leases for the 43^rd street retail space at the building with several retailers and eateries.

Previously, AFI USA lost millions on the Times building, according to Crain's New York. It bought the property in 2007, at the height of the real estate boom, paying $525 million. When the recession hit, the new owner was unsuccessful in its attempts to lease the fully vacant property's office floors. Eventually Africa Israel sold the office portion of the 750,000-square-foot property for $160 million. More recently, however, Africa Israel USA has seen some success leasing the building's retail space. In the last few years it has signed several tenants, including Bowlmor Lanes, Guy's American Kitchen & Bar, Jekyll & Hyde and the Discovery Museum.