Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 6th, 2012 Do you pay a half or a third of the rent for the same apartment as your next door neighbor? Well, in New York there are some antiquated laws that allow this insanity (paid for by landlords, yet protected by some politicians whose only goal is re-election)…. [Read More]
GOOGLE’S ‘PROJECT GLASS’: VIRTUAL REALITY FOR REAL ESTATE TOO?
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 5th, 2012 Yesterday Google unveiled Project Glass, a secret program designed to bring augmented-reality to the masses. Google’s new Android-powered glasses will allow you to check your email, update your Facebook, or even check-in to your favorite restaurant. The device creates a direct link to your smartphone, providing real-time information… [Read More]
IS IT JUST A DREAM?
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 4th, 2012 I have checked into the DREAM HOTEL Downtown while my apartment is being renovated: It certainly has brought up several thoughts about hotel rooms and hotel life…..living in a hotel in your own City is very different than being in a hotel on vacation. I have always… [Read More]
DEMATERIALIZATION: WATCHING DESIGN EVOLUTION
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 1st, 2012 In the past 10 years we have seen a radical acceleration of evolution in the way we live as human beings: politicians (as always) keep trying to fight this fact, but we can physically witness evolution in our daily lives. Here are some items that I have… [Read More]
SAVE SOHO: HELP WITH THE A.I.R ISSUE IN SOHO AND NOHO!
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on March 31st, 2012 Forty years ago, zoning laws were enacted in New York permitting joint live/work quarters for artists who were certified by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. They were necessary to protect the remaining manufacturing uses as well as artists who occupied vacant or underutilized buildings… [Read More]
THE VALUE OF A HOME
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on March 30th, 2012 Yesterday I had to move out the entire contents of my apartment while renvation work is performed to repair some damage sustained when a neighbor’s landscaper disconnected her irrigation water supply sloppily. I will be moving into a hotel next week for about 3 weeks while the repairs… [Read More]
CATCH-UP!
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on March 26th, 2012 This morning Ben Bernanke spoke on the subject of the economy: his conclusion was that the improving employment and growth figures were a product of CATCH-UP. We can see the same thing clearly happening in the luxury Manhattan real estate market. The above picture shows a line… [Read More]
SUPER LUXURY MANHATTAN MARKET SOARS – 815 FIFTH AVENUE PROVES IT.
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on March 24th, 2012 We just listed a $ 25million townhouse at 815 Fifth Avenue, a rarity if there ever was one. A little over 25 ft wide, with over 11,000sf, we suspect it will be bought by someone anxious to transform it to a single-family mansion. Already multiple parties are… [Read More]
DOES THE "CORZINE RULE" INSPIRE "THE PINOCCHIO RULE" IN REAL ESTATE?
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on March 23rd, 2012 The recently proposed regulatory legistlation (The Corzine Rule) to be named after Mr. Corzine because his firm MF Global still cannot find where a few billion dollars went ‘missing’ made me think that maybe its time for us in the real estate industry to name some brokerage rules… [Read More]
FEEDING FRENZY ON WEST 20th STREET? AFFORDABLE WEST CHELSEA HOUSING?
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on March 20th, 2012 Is the ‘affordable’ market being ignored Downtown? It appears so. I have heard that over 600 people have already pre-registered to buy at the Brodsky developed Condop building across from the exquisite Seminary at 422 West 20th Street….and while the pricing is extremely attractive, just a bit… [Read More]