By Orlando Lee Rodriguez

First S-Klien, then needle park and now cigarettes.

In another testament to change in Union Square and how New York has changed, homeowners in Zeckendorf Towers, the 29-story, 647-unit building constructed on the site of the defunct S-Klien Department Store, voted overwhelmingly to become a entirely smoke-free residence last week, sending the Marlboro, the Newport the way of the old Union Square.

That is a big change from the 1970′s when the site of Zeckendorf was an abandoned hulk of a building, Union Square was full of drug addicts and you could smoke basically everywhere and anywhere you wanted to.

Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty last week launched “e-cycleNYC,” a new electornics re-cycling program for multiple-family buildings.
In partnership with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the department is recruiting buildings with more than 10 units to enroll in the program that will allow residents to easily fling out their old televisions, air conditioners and walkmans.
New York has the lowest electronics recycling rate in the state, most likely, the experts says, because many don’t have cars to transport the bulky junk.
Under e-cycleNYC, enrolled buildings can opt for on-site collection bins, room clean outs …

Silverstein Properties announced that the company has secured financing to construct a skyscraper at 30 Park Place in Tribeca that will include a Four Seasons hotel and Private Residences.
At 926 feet, the property will be the tallest residential tower in Downtown Manhattan and one of the tallest buildings in New York City, offering residents panoramic views of the Midtown skyline and New York Harbor.
 Construction will begin on the 82-story tower in Fall 2013 with the grand opening set for 2016.
 Financing for the $950 million project was provided by The Children’s Investment Fund …

By Holly Dutton
When the casual dining chain Denny’s announced it wanted to open its first Manhattan restaurant at the base of the luxury condo at 150 Nassau in the Financial District, the residents went berserk.
They filed a string of complaints with their Community Board — which had been petitioned by Denny’s for support for a wine and beer license — and told the website DNAinfo: “We do not want a Denny’s in this building.
Maybe a high-end coffee shop or a restaurant, but not a Denny’s — people who live here are definitely angry about it.”
While the Denny’s lease is in limbo, the issue of what retail is right for the base on New York city’s apartment buildings is not a new one for developers, many of whom have been credited with revitalizing whole swathes of the city thanks to wise choices in mixed-use planning.

By Orlando Lee Rodriguez

An annual New York City ritual usually happens around this time, recent college graduates pour into town, degrees in hand, clutching their suitcases and money for their first big city apartment.

At the same time, those who arrived last year or the year before, face their own dilemma — to look for a new place or stay put, as their leases expire en masse.

For rental brokers, this is a time to clean up, or make up for a slow winter. But this year things are different.

Rent rates have remained flat and existing tenants facing some of the lowest vacancy rates in years, are choosing to renew their leases rather than risk a very tight rental market.

Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem go apartment hunting in Brooklyn; RE/MAX -cofounder Dave Liniger’s extraordinary journey and; Abandoned Angels get a helping hand from apartment developer.

Featured residential deal of the week

Developer TF Cornerstone is sponsoring an online auction in aid of the animal charity NY Abandoned Angels Rescue (NYAAR)
The non-profit dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of dogs, will host its 10-year anniversary auction online from May 10 to 22.
Shoppers can bid on a variety of items in the 24/7 auction – which is being sponsored by TF Cornerstone along with  marketing and graphic design services firm, Impeckable Creations, and Long Island Browser – at www.Biddingforgood.com/AbandonedAngels.
“When Abandoned Angels began in 2003, I never imagined that we would save over 2,500 …

Bellmarc announced it is moving its West Side office into a new location.
Bellmarc Group partners chose the 2200 Broadway location for its sidewalk and street-life activity, the presence of every major West Side subway and bus line, and the growing client demand for homes in the area.
Office manager Veronica Raehse, a 26 year veteran of the firm, will continue to lead the West Side team.
“With so many changes going on at Bellmarc and tremendous growth underway, the newly-renovated office and fresh décor feel part of our upward and onward movement …

Sifting through a directory of agents can be confusing — some are part of a team or group within the firm, many are “senior vice presidents” or “associate brokers” while others are “licensed salesperson” or just “agent.”

So what’s the difference?

The New York State Board of Real Estate is aiming to answer that question with a new set of regulations just passed that should curb what they’ve called false advertising and increase transparency in the brokerage business.