Category : Featured

By Roland LiOn the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Howard Lutnick was bringing one of his sons to his first day of kindergarten. Lutnick is chief executive of Cantor Fitzgerald, which occupied the 101st to 105th floors of the North Tower – on a normal day, he would have already been in the office. Cantor partner Dave Kravette was in his 105th floor office, when clients in the lobby forgot their identifications. Because of security measures following the 1993 bombing, Kravette was required to come downstairs to bring them up.

By Roland LiAfter the towers fell, one of the largest clean-ups in history began. Because the damage was so massive, officials divided the site – referred to as “the pile” – into five zones. Specialists around the country flew in to assist in the efforts, which quickly moved from search-and-rescue to the complete clearing and removal of the debris. For 99 days, fires continue to burn underground, creating noxious fumes and a reminder of the destruction that had occurred.

By Roland LiAs summer gave way to fall in 2001, the World Trade Center was flourishing. The twin towers were around 97% leased, and the Port Authority closed a ground-lease to Silverstein Properties in one of the largest real estate transactions in history. Cherrie Nanninga, then director of real estate for the Port Authority, attributes the success of the entire complex to the retail base, fueled by 150,000 people passing through each day and strong access public transit.

By Roland Li The Durst family has long had a connection with the World Trade Center. In the 1960s, when the Port Authority was poised … Continued

By Linda O’FlanaganThree months after saying he was “full speed ahead” growing the New York division of Grubb & Ellis, Joe Swingle has jumped ship to Cassidy Turley. Cassidy Turley announced today (Wednesday) that Swingle has joined the firm’s New York office as managing principal. He will work with the firm’s management committee to "further grow and integrate" that office’s service lines. “Cassidy Turley will capitalize on Joe’s strategic vision and leadership expertise as our New York office continues its expansion and delivery of comprehensive real estate solutions to our clients in the tri-state area,” said Peter Hennessy, president, New York Tri-State region, Cassidy Turley.

By Roland LiIn March 1996, at the age of 27, Patrick Slevin became one of the youngest mayors in the country. The New York native served for three years in Safety Harbor, a city of around 17,500 near Tampa Bay. As an elected official, Slevin became involved in land use issues, where he confronted the “not in my backyard” attitude toward new development, or NIMBYism. After serving out his term, Slevin entered public relations manager, where he has worked for 15 years.

By Liana Grey Sperry Top-Sider, a vendor of high-end boat shoes for men and women, is opening its first Manhattan shop in the Flatiron District this fall. Laura Pomerantz and Betty Ende of PBS Reality Advisors helped Sperry secure a 5,000 s/f storefront at 103 Fifth Avenue, a prewar loft building near 18th Street. The space, which spans the building’s ground floor and basement, was listed at $275 per s/f. Jason Pruger and Kate Cohen of Newmark Knight Frank’s retail division represented 103 Fifth’s landlord, Harlington Realty.

By Roland Li DelShah Capital, LLC has purchased a mixed-use building at 1356 First Avenue for $9.125 million. The building, at the corner of East … Continued