In This Week's Observer...

The brother of the dictator of Kazakhstan buys a $20 million Plaza spread.

Simon Hammerstein buys his first apartment for $1.2 million.

A rent-stabilized building in the East Village edges closer to becoming a mansion.

An alternative theory as to why apartment rents remain high and vacancy low.

The Freedom Tower and the September 11 Memorial likely to be delayed.

Eliot Spitzer's new job!

Harry Macklowe's 1301 Avenue of the Americas could sell for $1.5 billion.

Developers apply for a lot of new building permits in Manhattan.

A crusading law firm based in Houston doubles its space in Tower 56.

Steven Kamali talks about Montauk's new Surf Lodge.

Hotelier Paul Stallings: Crunchy granolas wrong about the Lower East Side.