By Daniel Geiger

Larry Silverstein has had to endure a lot at the World Trade Center site. He had to grapple with his insurers in two trials to win the billions that would be necessary for the rebuilding. Throughout the various impasses and setbacks that plagued the multibillion dollar redevelopment, the Port Authority, which owns the site and is co-developing it, painted him publicly as a greedy developer willing to hold the project captive in order to safeguard his interests. At times, it seemed bent on forcing him out.

By Liana Grey
When Hurricane Irene swept through the New York area last Sunday morning, it didn’t shatter windows or flood the streets of lower Manhattan as feared. But there’s a good chance that the wind, which gusted up to 65 miles per hour, would have damaged Crazy Billy’s, a liquor shop and warehouse in Deer Park, Long Island, had owner Bill Peterson not been prepared. “I was here for Hurricane Gloria,” Peterson recalled. “We nearly lost the roof then.”

By Linda O’Flanagan

Three months after saying he was “full speed ahead” growing the New York division of Grubb & Ellis, Joe Swingle has jumped ship to Cassidy Turley. Cassidy Turley announced today (Wednesday) that Swingle has joined the firm’s New York office as managing principal. He will work with the firm’s management committee to “further grow and integrate” that office’s service lines. “Cassidy Turley will capitalize on Joe’s strategic vision and leadership expertise as our New York office continues its expansion and delivery of comprehensive real estate solutions to our clients in the tri-state area,” said Peter Hennessy, president, New York Tri-State region, Cassidy Turley.

By Liana Grey
As the summer winds down, Matt Villetto, project manager at Citi Habitats’ new developments division, won’t have to scramble to book a last-minute getaway on the shore. Earlier this month, he and his wife closed on a condo at the Beach House, a 43-unit development in Rockaway Beach, Queens, just across the street from a pristine stretch of sand. “We have a direct ocean view,” said Villetto.