Category : REBNY Watch

A Stronger Plan to Revitalize East Midtown
REBNY WatchViews

A Stronger Plan to Revitalize East Midtown

REW
by REW1505
This Thursday’s meeting of the Manhattan Borough Board marks another step in the closely watched public review process that will determine the future of East Midtown.  In January, the Department of City Planning certified the Greater East Midtown Rezoning proposal and the final step will conclude later this year at the...
Honoring leaders of commercial real estate property management
REBNY WatchViews

Honoring leaders of commercial real estate property management

REW
by REW1348
The deadline is fast approaching for REBNY’s Annual Commercial Management Leadership Award nominations. I encourage all owners, developers, brokers, and managers to consider submitting a nomination for these awards, which honor exceptional individuals in the field of commercial property management – those who are often the unsung heroes of our...
Construction safety demands a data-driven approach
REBNY Watch

Construction safety demands a data-driven approach

REW
by REW1293
By REBNY President John Banks  Improving safety must remain a priority on construction sites across New York City. There is nothing more important than protecting the public and ensuring that workers get home safely to their families each night. But let’s always remember that good public policy is guided by...
New Airbnb rule doesn’t ban home-sharing, it targets scofflaws
FeaturedREBNY WatchViews

New Airbnb rule doesn’t ban home-sharing, it targets scofflaws

REW
by REW1150
BY REBNY President John Banks Thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York now has a strong new law that will protect affordable housing from illegal short-term rentals. There’s been quite a bit of misinformation about this issue and a lawsuit filed by Airbnb that may delay some common sense new...
REBNY WatchViews

Hats off to team work setting gold standard for new Midtown East

REW
by REW1083
By REBNY President John Banks SL Green Realty Corp, the city’s largest commercial landlord, recently broke ground on One Vanderbilt, a $3 billion office tower poised to be the second tallest in New York City. Once completed, the 58-story, 1,401 ft. One Vanderbilt will be a breath of fresh air...
FeaturedREBNY WatchViews

Trans-Hudson commuter report brings us step closer to solution

REW
by REW1014
By REBNY President John Banks The Port Authority’s latest report, the “Trans-Hudson Commuting Capacity Study,” is the result of a yearlong study to evaluate strategies for meeting and managing the anticipated increase in trans-Hudson commuter demand. As New York City employment continues to grow and an increasing share of employees...
REBNY Watch

White House toolkit gives officials plenty of homework on housing shortage solutions

REW
by REW930
It’s no secret that New York City is facing a housing crisis. This is becoming a national problem – so much so that the Obama Administration recently stepped in to highlight what is needed to “promote healthy, responsive, affordable, high-opportunity housing markets” throughout the United States. The White House published...
New York rising to challenge of sustainability
REBNY Watch

New York rising to challenge of sustainability

REW
by REW1708
There are one million buildings in New York City, and they represent 73 percent of our citywide greenhouse gas emissions. In an effort to help the city reach its goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent by 2050, the City has created the NYC Carbon Challenge, a ground-breaking...
FeaturedREBNY WatchViews

Exciting time for New Yorkers as Hudson Yards takes shape

REW
by REW1061
By REBNY President John Banks Last week, we got our first look at a big and bold public landmark that’s coming soon to Manhattan’s Far West Side. Related Companies and Oxford Property Group’s’ “Vessel” was designed by Thomas Heatherwick, whose previous works include the 2012 Olympic Cauldron, Pacific Palace in...
Transit trumps potential landmark status in Midtown East
REBNY WatchViews

Transit trumps potential landmark status in Midtown East

REW
by REW2202
By REBNY President John Banks The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) recently held a public hearing on five of the 12 buildings considered for landmarking in Midtown East. LPC will act on these 12 calendared properties over the course of the next year. These five buildings – Benjamin Hotel, Hotel Lexington,...