It is now certain that within the next 10 years, the Manhattan skyline will look very different. Plans for a spate of significant high rise buildings appear to be moving forward now as the economy slowly un-locks. Developers are readying two residential towers that will rise above most of Midtown. The massive mixed-use development planned… [Read More]
HOUSE SWAP, ECONOMY-BOOSTER STYLE?
The economy is experiencing a unique problem: unemployed people who are able to find good jobs in alternative cities are unable to take the jobs as they cannot sell their homes as many mortgages are worth more than the homes in this current market. Why not introduce a NATIONAL HOUSE-TRADE BANK/DATA BASE, whereby someone could… [Read More]
WE SAY TO BALDUCCI’S: GO WEST!
In CRAIN’s it is reported that Balducci’s is seeking to return to Manhattan, searching for a 10,000sf flagship store as well as some smaller outposts. We say: HEAD WEST! The area in far West Chelsea around the Highline Park desperately needs a Balducci’s. “We think the perfect location would be at the corner of 23rd… [Read More]
IS THIS THE BOTTOM?
Something very newsworthy is happening in the luxury Manhattan real estate market…….for the first time in many years we have experienced (while renting out an apartment in Tribeca) prospective, qualified renters withdrawing their applications after realizing that buying would cost almost the same as renting, and opting to buy. We have not heard this in… [Read More]
IMAGINE ALL NEW YORK WITH THESE AWNINGS….AND…..
Imagine these awnings (or a version thereof) attached to all sunny sides of buildings in Manhattan where the awnings not only provide cover from the sun and rain, but also produce power…..what about small solar panels or wind turbines that you plug in just like a small appliance?…..that’s the promise of a Seattle, Washington-based start-up… [Read More]
MAYBE NOW WE KNOW WHY RUSH MOVED FROM NEW YORK?
So you felt sluggish through the Summer heat because of the heat? Think again. A city Department of Health study on summer air quality released yesterday showed a troubling finding: Even quieter neighborhoods that don’t have New York’s infamous crowds, traffic and skyscrapers suffer from high levels of smog…..and this bad air quality contributes greatly… [Read More]
3.5% Downpayment insanity?
The FHA has come out to guarantee mortgage loans on a few new buildings in Manhattan: While the idea is brilliant, and long overdue, the plan is a perfect example of how governments can take a great idea and muck it up really badly. As we exit (very slowly and grindingly and uncerytainly) from the worst… [Read More]
HUDSON BLUES….
In this morning’s Wall Street Journal, the next stage in the saga of the building HUDSON BLUE at 423 West Street is reported: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704017904575409722058648014.html This building, located a few doors down from the 3 Richard Meier Towers, home to celebrities Calvin Klein and Hugh Jackman, somewhat emulating their glass and white steel facade, has been… [Read More]
IS WALKING TO WORK IN VOGUE?
Conde Nast is in the final stages of negotiating its new office space lease in the new World Trade Center building….this means if you see a fabulously rail-thin figure hiding behind a Birkin bag, power-walking in a southerly direction, it may just turn out to be Anna Wintour, the empress of Vogue, who will officially… [Read More]
NEW YORK HAS THE MOST MILLIONAIRES, BUT….
In to-days Wall Street Journal, a tally is made of the number of millionaires (those with at least $ 1million in investable assets) in the major cities of the US: New York ranks #1, and has almost as many millionaires as Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington and San Francisco…combined! The number grew almost 19% in 2009. BUT, $ 1million… [Read More]