By Christopher Angerame, director, UtiliVisor
The application of LEED certification in property development has taken off dramatically in recent years, driven by the desire to create a differential advantage in a competitive real estate market and the need to keep operating expenses in check. LEED certified buildings often are said to have the ability to save water and use less electricity while improving occupant comfort and well-being through improved indoor air quality.
This may well be true, though it has been difficult to verify. More worrisome is the fact that no stipulations …

On Wednesday, June 5, more than 125 brokers and members of the real estate industry gathered at 225 Rector Place in Battery Park City for the unveiling of the luxury condominium’s rooftop and cabana designed by Clodagh, the acclaimed hospitality designer. Guests of the rooftop soiree, sponsored by developer Related and StreetEasy, enjoyed an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, as well as breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, Hudson River and all of Downtown Manhattan. Tours were also offered of PH2B, the development’s latest custom-designed model residence by …

The National Weather Service forecasts moderate to heavy rain and high winds up to 40 mph for the New York City area today, Thursday, June 13 through tomorrow, Friday, June 14. In preparation for the weather, the Department is reminding all property owners and contractors to secure their construction sites and buildings. If construction sites are not safely secured in preparation for the inclement weather, the Department will take immediate enforcement action with the issuance of violations and Stop Work Orders if necessary.

Carlton Chairman, Howard L. Michaels, announced the representation of Real Estate Equities in  their off market acquisition of 375 West Broadway. The sale price was $81 million.
The transaction was led by Carlton representative Steve Fenster who organized a commercial bank financing along with one of Carlton’s overseas equity relationships to facilitate the 5-story office and retail acquisition which is home to trendy retailer Anthropologie.
Real Estate Equities, headed by father and son Michael and Brandon Miller and Mark Siegel, in partnership with the overseas investor accessed by Carlton, closed yesterday (Tuesday) …

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum celebrated its 25th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of its historic landmark tenement at 97 Orchard Street with a gala event that immersed guests in the culture of the Lower East Side. The event raised more than $700,000, nearly double the amount raised at the previous gala. The gala event honored Peter Ward, president of the Hotel Trade Council, and Julie Menin, former chair of Community Board 1, for their support of the Museum and the City at large. Paul Massey, CEO of Massey …

CityVest Realty Corp. president Mark Stempel, announced a lease with Oakley, a sports and lifestyle shop, at 560 Fifth Avenue at the corner of 46th Street.
Serving as the flagship location, the space is 6,800 s/f on the ground, second & lower levels.
“A few steps away from Rockefeller Center and other international retailers, this is a perfect fit for a brand like Oakley” says Stempel, who represented the property owner.
David Rosenberg, executive vice president, and Beth Rosen, managing director, at Robert K. Futterman & Associates, and Ellen Lee, Kiely of Milestone …

Tarter Stats O’Toole announced that it is now marketing the retail space at 111 Fourth Avenue.
The space was formerly occupied by Utrecht, a popular art supplies store, for over 30 years but has since been vacated and is on the market for lease.
The 4,452 s/f store has 19 ft. ceilings and 45 ft. of street frontage on Fourth Avenue.
Located between 11th and 12th streets, the site draws foot traffic from Union Square and presents an opportunity for exposure to shoppers and students from nearby NYU dormitories, The New School …

Avison Young announced that the firm’s New York City-based investment sales team has been retained as the exclusive sales agent for 644 East 14th Street, directly across from Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village, in Manhattan.
Principals Neil Helman and Charles Kingsley, who are both members of Avison Young’s Capital Markets Group, are leading the assignment on behalf of the site’s owner.
The 10,106 s/f corner parcel in the East Village is currently occupied by a one-story building. The site can accommodate an as-of-right project with 65,689 s/f for a mixed-use development including residential, …