Thursday: A Mysterious Departure, A Harsh Letter for Larry
The real estate industry can be so fickle: ex-Sunshine Groupie (and ex-Trumper) Jacquelyn Sonenberg joined Stribling Marketing Associates a year ago, and within weeks she had climbed to its pinnacle. But yesterday, after nary a full year there, Ms. Sonenberg has left the building. That's what happens when you help market condos in the Plaza Hotel. (The Real Deal)
What happened at the Public Authorities Control Board's big vote on the $1.7 billion Javits Center expansion plan? Nothing. Those lovable PACB populists insisted that notice for yesterday's meeting "wasn't widely enough circulated"--it was announced no less than a month ago, of course--so the vote will be pushed back to July 26. Does anyone smell a foul conspiracy? (Crain's)
McMansions are not pleasant, new McMansions in Brooklyn are even worse, and two new McMansions on either side of your Madison home is a particularly unfortunate situation. Especially if you're an 85-year old stroke victim--or, as your lawyer might put it, "the ham in a ham sandwich." (NY Daily News)
The only thing worse: springing $79,000 for the same exact ultra-hip furniture that hundreds of your neighbors are springing for as well. But if you're too uninspired to buy your own ottomans and such, 52nd Street's new 215-unit "Link" apartments may just be perfect. (NY Post)
(Mostly) True Letter of the Day: Dear CEOs of The World's Biggest Insurance Companies. My name is William, and I'm the New York City Comptroller. I urge you in the strongest terms possible to please give the $4.6 billion you owe our pal Larry (for the World Trade Center, of course.) I consider your previous actions to have been in bad faith. There, I've said it--although I'm sorry for using such strong terms. (Crain's)
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Max Abelson
So I have been rooting for Larry Silverstein for some time now. Very happy that there is action to fill 7 WTC and that it seems that he and Pataki and Bloomberg stopped the war of words. But it seems he is blowing it over the Chinese tenants who were taking a large block of space and do business differently than us NYers. There were some disagreement and they're out! But want back in and say they'll do what Larry wants. Now Larry seems to be getting somewhat over confident (other real estate folks are saying it too after speaking with him about how he "overcame" the Gov and Mayor) and thinking that he is "Bigger" and one says "better" than all you other guys.
Watch out Larry, the bullseye is still on your back and they're still gunning for you. You should be making friends not enemies and competitors.