Appeals panel finds no personal liability for signing condo certification
By Bruce H. Lederman and John D’Agostino,
senior partners, D’Agostino, Levine, Landesman & Lederman, LLP
On May 18, 2013, the Appellate Division, First Department, in the case Board of Managers v. 184 Thompson Street Owner LLC, issued an important decision specifically holding that individual members of a corporate sponsor of a condominium offering in the State of New York may not be held personally liable for claims against a corporate sponsor simply because they signed the certification required as part of the condominium offering …

By Adam Lazarus, CPA, partner, Citrin Cooperman
In New York City’s quest for revenue, it has taken an aggressive stance in collecting commercial rent tax (CRT).
While it’s becoming clear that many companies are subject to this tax, many companies remain in the dark about their obligations.
Luckily for those who become aware of this tax obligation, NYC has established a voluntary disclosure program that can help these companies avoid penalties.
Historically, the CRT was first imposed in 1963, on tenants paying annualized base rents of $250,000 or more for premises. Florida …

By Holly Dutton

Six months after the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and as the country is still reeling from the Boston Marathon bombing, enhanced security has become a top priority.

And demand for more cameras in the workplace has prompted the opening of a first-of-its-kind “Global Fusion Center” that can monitor security cameras everywhere.

Massey Knakal’s assignments, Weichert Commercial Brokerage, Inc. exclusive, Sioni & Partners retained, ERG Property Advisors, Jones Lang LaSalle, Marcus & Millichap all make sales.

The partnership of four New York real estate principals who acquired Winoker Realty in February has re-launched the brokerage as EVO Real Estate Group.
Dana Moskowitz, the newly-named president of EVO, made the announcement. Her partners in the acquisition are Ira Fishman, who serves as CEO, and Nathan Halegua and Josh Halegua, principals
Fishman will focus on client relations and developing new business; Halegua will be involved with acquisitions; Halegua will devote his attention to management; and Moskowitz will supervise day-to-day operations and oversight of the leasing division.

New York’s iconic center of songwriting and entertainment is under new ownership.

The Brill Building, a landmark historic building located at 1619 Broadway at the corner of West 49th Street, has been purchased by real estate investor Eric Hadar of Allied Partners, along with the private equity firm Brickman, in a deal valued at close to $250 million.

Supporters of the Brooklyn Tech Triangle yesterday (Tuesday) unveiled a bold new plan that aims to roll out the red carpet for some of the world’s most innovative companies.
The plan calls for creating more affordable real estate, improving transportation and public parks and training local people to work in the 1,000 plus new firms expected to be operating in the Tech Triangle by 2015.

Russell Simmons gives a downtown discount, Gramercy Park takes first prize, Jersey’s Gold Coast gets more luxury…

Month-over-month, New York City multifamily transaction volume held steady and the dollar volume of those deals increased in April compared to March, according to Ariel Property Advisors’ Multifamily Month in Review for April.

Morris Moinian, principal and founder of Fortuna Realty Group, LLC, has been named the real estate finalists in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 Awards.

Moinian — whose brother Joseph runs the Moinian Group — founded his investment and development company in 1987.