Category : REBNY Watch

Why New York City will always be hooked on high rise
FeaturedREBNY Watch

Why New York City will always be hooked on high rise

REW
by REW1099
By John Banks, president, REBNY Over the summer, some public officials issued a letter to Mayor de Blasio’s City Planning chair, Carl Weisbrod voicing concerns over “super-tall” buildings along the 57th Street corridor below Central Park. Among their grievances listed were the lack of approval needed to build these large...
REBNY Watch

Historic preservation wonʼt save affordable housing

REW
by REW2081
By John Banks, president, REBNY In response to REBNY’s previous reports detailing the relationship between landmarking and New York City’s housing production, some preservationists have asserted that historic districts play a critical role in preserving our city’s rent-regulated housing. They believe that it is an important way to maintain affordable...
Legionnaires’ outbreak spurs important law by Council
REBNY WatchViews

Legionnaires’ outbreak spurs important law by Council

REW
by REW1083
By John Banks, REBNY President New York City recently experienced its most acute outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease, resulting in 12 deaths and 115 left ill in the South Bronx. Last Thursday, the City Council passed a law to combat this very serious public health risk, which REBNY and our members...
REBNY Watch

New York evolution making everything bigger and better

REW
by REW1159
By John Banks Throughout our five borough series, we covered Brooklyn’s recent real estate boom, the ongoing projects and development taking place in the Bronx, the diverse array of real estate activity taking place in Queens, and the rich cultural significance of Staten Island. The last stop on our tour...
REBNY WatchViews

Wheely good things happening in Staten Island

REW
by REW909
By John Banks, REBNY President New York City has gone through a tremendous transformation over the past 20 years, and in that time period, Staten Island has always been at the forefront of that evolution. The fourth stop on REBNY’s Five Borough series will explore Staten Island – an ever-changing...
REBNY WatchViews

Bowing out as industry celebrates strength through diversity

REW
by REW999
During my tenure of nearly 30 years as REBNY President, New York City has undergone tremendous change. In 1986, our city was continuing to climb back from the financial crisis of the 1970s and many neighborhoods were struggling with abandoned buildings and vacant lots which the city acquired in rem....
It’s time to make room for a million more New Yorkers
REBNY Watch

It’s time to make room for a million more New Yorkers

REW Staff
by REW Staff928
By Steven Spinola The NYU Furman Center recently released “The State of New York City’s Housing and Neighborhoods in 2014,” a report which analyzes the levels of density across several neighborhoods in NYC over the past 40 years. Among the report’s findings is that most New Yorkers live in less...
Nostalgia has no place in building a city for tomorrow
REBNY Watch

Nostalgia has no place in building a city for tomorrow

REW
by REW928
By Steven Spinola This week we join the City in celebrating the 50th anniversary of New York City’s Landmarks Law. REBNY’s members are proud owners of New York City’s most iconic buildings such as: Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Woolworth Building, Lever House, and Seagram Building, just to...
REBNY showing its art with chashama partnership
REBNY Watch

REBNY showing its art with chashama partnership

REW
by REW726
By Steven Spinola Anyone who’s ever struggled to succeed in New York City knows the meaning of Frank Sinatra’s famous line, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.” It is this mindset which has led countless singers, actors, dancers, and other artists to our city over the...
Let’s not hand Airbnb the keys to New York City
REBNY Watch

Let’s not hand Airbnb the keys to New York City

REW
by REW747
By Steven Spinola Last week, a group of City Council Members called for increasing the size of the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) in order to address the rising concerns surrounding Airbnb and other short-term rental services. This task force is dedicated to coordinating efforts in all five boroughs...