Folk singer David Peel was leading a crowd of protesters in a singalong of his charming ditty “Die Yuppie Scum” on Friday evening, when suddenly the rebellious crooner experienced a moment of clarity.

“What are we doing over here?” Mr. Peel asked. “Where are the apartments?”

A few doors down, it turned out.

Demonstrators had intended to gather outside an apartment building at 47 East 3rd Street, owned by controversial landlord Alistair Economakis, who has been trying to uproot its rent-stabilized tenants for years in order to create a sprawling manse for himself and his family.  read more »

AM New York today examines the controversy surrounding Harlem's shuttered Victoria Theater:

Local developer Steve Williams of Danforth Development Partners, LLC, wants to transform the 1917 burlesque theater into a 30-story condo/hotel, cutting up the ornate 2, 400-seat theater into two mini-theaters while preserving the facade and parts of the lobby.

Neighborhood activists argue that the Thomas Lamb-designer theater shoud be restored to its original grandeur.  read more »

"$1,200 is the average -- I'm selling for half!"

Michael Waldman might sound like a used-car salesman. He's not. He sells motorcycles. He's also a developer.

Last week, Mr. Waldman unveiled his new 30-unit luxury condo complex in East Harlem called The Bridges during a splashy gala featuring Cuban cuisine and Brazilian dancers.

In between mojitos, The Observer sat down with Mr. Waldman and talked about pricing. Or, at least, he did.  read more »