Category : Views

Views

Hot property: Robust rental market makes multifamily attractive

REW Staff
by REW Staff983
By Peter VanderpoolThe multi-family segment of New York City’s commercial real estate market may have gotten a boost as a result of the recession. The number of renters seeking apartments is at its highest level in more than a decade as more families opt for apartment life rather than home ownership as a means of containing living costs. A recent article in the New York Times focused on the growing rental market due to the poor state of the economy.
Early access agreements for leases bring risks and rewards
Editorial SupplementsViews

Early access agreements for leases bring risks and rewards

REW Staff
by REW Staff2445
The idea of allowing a tenant to start to perform work in, or to move its equipment into a space before a lease is fully negotiated and executed is anathema to most landlords and lawyers. However, in the right circumstances this can be appropriate and necessary. Situations arise where a...
Editorial SupplementsViews

Tourism key for NYC retail

REW Staff
by REW Staff1846
By Benjamin FoxFrom the Opinion section: In general terms, there is no question that retail rents in Manhattan have moderated somewhat over the last couple of years in response to the economic downturn. On the other hand, rents in certain high traffic retail corridors have not decreased all that much and, in some cases, have even risen during this period. Why is this happening? Why are all these stores flourishing?
Editorial SupplementsViews

Retailers looking for sweet spots

REW Staff
by REW Staff2141
By Chase WellesFrom the Opinion section: After a two year slump, retail brokers say a number of significant leases are out which they expect to be announced within the next 30 days or so as brokers and landlords work to get contracts closed.
REBNY survey finds “minuscule” bike ridership, despite space for parking
Views

REBNY survey finds “minuscule” bike ridership, despite space for parking

REW Staff
by REW Staff2274
By Steven SpinolaFrom the Opinion section: A recent Real Estate Board of New York survey indicated that that the number of individuals biking to work is minuscule, despite a sizable amount of bike parking space available in commercial buildings. The New York Post’s Steve Cuozzo requested we ask our members about bike usage. On a bright, sunny April day, we polled owners and managers and received responses representing 77 million s/f of commercial property in Midtown and Downtown.
Thank you, Mr. President and the people of New York
Views

Thank you, Mr. President and the people of New York

REW Staff
by REW Staff3499
By Steven SpinolaFrom the Opinion Section: Lower Manhattan, the entire city, and much of the country were relieved and pleased to learn of the decision by Attorney General Eric Holder that the terror trials for 9/11 mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others will be held at Guantanamo Bay and not in Lower Manhattan as originally proposed.
Views

Retail poised to do well in 2011

REW Staff
by REW Staff3957
By Robert KnakalFrom the Opinion section:Q. What will be the best performing property type in the Manhattan investment sales market in 2011?A. Interestingly, we just held our first quarter 2011 press conference yesterday to review investment sales market results thus far in 2011, which were better than anticipated. One of the things we discussed was that we expect retail properties in Manhattan to do extraordinarily well in 2011.
Views

Accounting board agrees all leases not created equal

REW Staff
by REW Staff4018
By Shahab MorehFrom the Opinion section: The proposed accounting standard related to accounting for leases has been the subject of controversy and criticism from landlords, tenants, other lessors and lessees. That is because the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) are working on a joint project to create a common lease accounting requirement that would require assets and liabilities arising from all lease contracts to be recognized on the balance sheet.
Views

Proposed risk retention rule approved for asset-backed securities

REW Staff
by REW Staff4689
By Patrick Dolan and Robert Ledig, with Kira BreretonFrom the Opinion section: A proposed rule regarding implementation of the asset-backed securities (ABS) risk retention provisions of Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was recently approved by several government agencies. The rule requires a securitization sponsor to retain an economic interest equal to at least 5% of the aggregate credit risk of the assets collateralizing an issuance of ABS.
Views

Talking a lot of hot A.I.R. in Soho

REW Staff
by REW Staff4522
By Shirley HackelFrom the Opinion section: Selling a pre-war loft in SoHo has become problematic of late because of renewed attention to AIR – artist in residence –zoning requirements. Though the law has been in effect since the early 70’s, it’s been virtually ignored...until now. Although the reasons behind the new focus are sketchy, it’s clear that if the zoning rules currently on the books for SoHo were enforced strictly, real estate values would be undermined.