New York University

This week is graduation week here at Columbia and the campus has been hosting huge crowds of happy graduates and proud parents. I am reminded that in post-industrial New York City, education is a big business.  read more »

Last month this reporter interviewed Amanda Lorber, one of the stars of MTV's docu-series The Paper. At the time, Ms. Lorber, a high school newspaper editor, was savvy enough not to reveal where she would be attending college in the fall. "I don't think I should tell you [where] yet because that's a plotline," she said, laughing. "I will be studying journalism, though."

Finally, her silence has been broken! Ms. Lorber will be attending New York University in the fall according to NYU's Washington Square News. (This fact had already emerged via a commenter on Jezebel last week.) Ms. Lorber tells the WSN's Sergio Hernandez, "I'm ready [for NYU]... I'm a little nervous now because the show has come out, and I kind of don't want to be recognized. I want to have a fresh start, and I want to be kind of a normal student, not a girl that was on an MTV reality show."  read more »

“I personally think this will destroy N.Y.U. and the Greenwich Village community—and I’m being nice,” said Ruth Rennert.

A handful of seniors clustered around her shook their heads in agreement.

Ms. Rennert, a resident of Greenwich Village for the past four decades, was speaking to a conservatively dressed young woman wearing an N.Y.U. name tag during the university's fifth Expansion Open House on Wednesday evening.  read more »

New York University announced its support today for the landmark designation of I.M. Pei’s Silver Towers, three tan 40-year-old buildings on a superblock in Greenwich Village. The designation would restrict changes and development on the tower sites, a move that comes as NYU is facing significant community opposition to its planned 6 million-square-foot, 25-year expansion.

NYU has previously expressed interest in putting new buildings in between the Silver Towers, and even as recently as last month the school held an open house that featured models of what development on the site could look like. In an e-mail, NYU spokesman John Beckman said such construction would still be possible after landmarking, although some of the proposed concepts would require going through the city’s landmarks approval process.  read more »

New York University announced today that it has purchased a new 21-story apartment building in Gramercy for undergraduate housing, slated to open this fall.

The building, located at 316 Third Avenue off of 23rd Street, will house 900 students, the university announced in an e-mail to its students. (The Villager broke the news of the dorm this week.)  read more »

In eyeing space for expansion, New York University is considering infill development in the modernist-style “tower in the park” portions of campus, specifically the I. M. Pei-designed Silver Towers site near Washington Square Park, The Villager reports today.  read more »

Even though Dubai and Abu Dhabi have seen some success with their tourism campaigns, they have a long way to go to becoming the cultural capitals of the world.  read more »

New York University's Furman Center for Real Estate & Urban Policy has cranked out another annual State of New York City's Housing and Neighborhoods. The initial focus of the report appears to be on the growing, gnawing lack of housing affordability for much of the city:

The report... finds that the median home sales price in New York City rose by 68 percent from 2000 to 2005, adjusting for inflation. This is welcome news for existing homeowners, but it also means that homeownership is harder to attain. Fewer than 5 percent of home sales in 2005 were affordable to New Yorkers earning the City's median income ($43,434), down from 11 percent in 2000.

One wonders, however, how much worse this affordability crisis has become--but the above statistic and its conclusion, like others throughout the report, come from numbers that are now at least 15 months old. The report, then, for example, pre-dates the subprime-mortgage imbroglio and the cooling of the national housing market.

Still, it may be worth your perusal.

- Tom Acitelli

A Bloomberg Bonus for City’s Hidden 20 Percent    read more »

A Bloomberg Bonus for City’s Hidden 20 Percent    read more »

New York University announced on Wednesday that it will pursue construction of a new $110 million co-generation power plant under Mercer Street, between West 3rd and 4th streets. The construction will last around two years.

"The decision comes after months of conversation and negotiations between NYU and members of the local community, including Councilman Alan Gerson [and] Community Board 2," NYU administrators said in a release.

While the decision is sure to please most of the larger Village community--no construction under Gould Plaza means that the classrooms below will largely remain intact and the some 600 students who use the rooms weekly will not be sent scattering around the area--the businesses and residents along that particular block of Mercer Street will surely be a little agitated: Namely, the residents of 250 Mercer (the Mercer Street Block Association) and the owner of Think Coffee, Jason Scherr. As The Observer reported earlier this month, they have been extremely vocal in their opposition to the proposed "Mercer Street Option."

Full release after the jump.  read more »

- David Foxley

On Thursday morning, Dalton Conley, chair of sociology at New York University, sent out a pair of emails, one to the Los Angeles Times and one to the office of Hollywood producer Brian Grazer. He wanted to confirm something, which he had just heard about in a voice mail from the Media Mob.

Was the publisher of the Times, in fact, considering killing off the upcoming special opinion section of the paper, guest-edited by Mr. Grazer?  read more »

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Conley received confirmation from both camps. Sure enough, the Times had decided to spike the entire section amidst concern about a romantic relationship between editorial page editor Andres Martinez and a publicist close to Mr. Grazer.

The upmarket men’s clothier Thomas Pink is moving downtown.    read more »

On a recent Sunday morning in Greenwich Village, a half-dozen patrons of Think Coffee waited in line  read more »

Harvard Law School dean Elena Kagan has a message for New York lawyers.    read more »

Harvard Law School dean Elena Kagan has a message for New York lawyers.  read more »

Oct. 28, 20067:40 a.m.

6 pounds, 13 ounces  read more »

New York University Hospital

Bob and Larry Tisch were born in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, in the 1920’s.  read more »

Bob and Larry Tisch were born in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, in the 1920’s.  read more »

The other night at NYU, Tony Judt said, "Fasten your seatbelts it's going to be a bumpy night," and then dropping his scarf and jacket on the stage, gave a barnburner about the intellectual's responsibility. Here are some of his salient points:

1. Television has greatly narrowed the freedom of the intellectual to do his job and "disturb the public peace." 100 years ago, the French intellectual Julien Benda could stand up against the establishment for Alfred Dreyfus "because he was innocent... in the name of universal values, not particular interests." But that moment is over. Benda and others were given a platform by the rise of mass literacy in the 1880s; they were then disempowered by the rise of television in the 1970s. In that short 90 years, "educated elites had a mass literate audience." No longer. Today newspapers and foundations are not willing to support views "that make them uncomfortable."  read more »

2. Intellectuals are now in four spots. 1. Pundits. 2. Thinktanks. 3. Investigative journalists (like Gideon Levy and Anna Politkovskaya). 4. the academy.

Criminal justice and human rights officials attend a conference on expanding employment opportunities for the formerly incarcerated at NYU's Vanderbilt Hall.

Columbia University Library celebrates opening of its new Center for Human Rights Documentation and Research in the University's Miller Theater.

Rudy Giuliani, Nicholas Scoppetta and Circuit City launch the "firedog Across America" campaign honoring firefighters at Ladder 3/Battalion 6 on East 13th Street.

A rally critical of the NYPD will be held at One Police Plaza.

The CUNY Graduate Center hosts a reading of the works of murdered Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya at the Graduate Center.

Council Member Joseph Addabbo, Jr. and the president of MTA Buses host a Town Hall meeting at the Ozone Park Jewish Center in Howard Beach.

The Park Slope chapter of Drinking Liberally will congregate at Commonwealth.

—Nicole Brydson

Last night at NYU, Tony Judt gave a speech about the changing role of intellectuals in democracies in which he brought up the Israel/Palestine question and observed that the American discourse is now opening up to criticisms of Israel.

Eight or ten years ago, the prof used to hit a wall when he brought up criticisms of Israel (where the English-born Jew had lived on a kibbutz in the '60s). More recently he was told that the topic was "untouchable" and at the very most he might discuss it "among consenting Jews—but not with goyim."

"But what seems to me the case is that if you keep pushing, if you insist there at least be a discussion of the Mearsheimer Walt paper... even a discussion about the failure to discuss it, something does change. And it seems to me there's a shift."

Just as racist speech has been delegitimized in the U.S. through a type of licensing process, criticisms of Israel are now being legitimized. "Some public space has been opened up for that conversation." Yes, the conversation still gets pushed down. But it gets harder to push it down—"making it normal to talk about these things." Hosanna.

I caught up with Bob Shrum after that panel appearance at NYU the other night and asked him about the possibility of a successful presidential bid by Mayor Bloomberg in 2008.

Here's what he said:

"No chance. No. He can't win the presidency as an independent."

You can hear more from Shrum on Bloomberg, John McCain and '08, here.

-- Azi Paybarah

DL21C hosts "Gay Republicans and the Christian Right: Has the Mark Foley scandal put Democrats on the verge of taking over both Houses of Congress?" with Alan Van Capelle, Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda and David Pollak President of DL21C at Makor's Gallery Space.

The Faith Center for Community Development and Bill Thompson host their second clergy conference featuring a keynote address by Hillary Clinton.

Wal-Mart announces their donation to City Harvest and the Food Bank for New York City at the NYC Rescue Mission.

Carolyn Maloney and Eric Gioia hold a press conference to announce funding plans for the redevelopment of Queens Plaza.

9/11 family members and advocates hold a rally in support of proper burial and recovery of human remains at ground zero.

Christopher Callaghan campaigns with Marty Golden and Vito Fossella outside of Fossella campaign headquarters.

The Public Service Commission holds a public hearing [pdf] on the Con Edison power outages in Long Island City at P.S. 11 in Woodside.

New York University hosts roundtable discussion on "War Photography: A Mission for the Ages" at NYU's Silver Center.

Greg Meeks hosts the Sixth Congressional District Recognition Gala at Antun's of Queens Village.

Columbia University hosts a discussion on "Literature and Citizenship" with Nobel Prize winner Orphan Pamuk.

The National Urban League honors U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Spike Lee and others at its 50th anniversary Equal Opportunity Day Awards dinner at the Marriott Marquis.

John Faso campaigns at Queens County and Nassau County Republican rallies and campaigns at the Hicksville LIRR Station.

Ambassador Joseph Wilson campaigns with Dave Mejias at Mejias Campaign Headquarters.

—Nicole Brydson

[NYC-Architecture.com; NYU.edu]

Crain's has big news this afternoon: The old Koeppel family is selling the 31-story Standard Oil Building, built by John D. Rockefeller at Broadway and Beaver Street in 1922 and 1923.

The asking price for 26 Broadway has not been revealed, but downtown office buildings are selling at an average of $350 a square foot, or $262.5 million for the 750,000 square foot office tower.

Not bad for a masterpiece of limestone-clad capitalism.  read more »

- Max Abelson

Amid all the complaints from community boards about getting overwhelmed by rampant development that they cannot keep track of, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stronger hit upon one solution: Get students to do it!

This fall, the Beep recruited 13 graduate students in urban planning programs at Hunter, Columbia, Rutgers, New York University and the New School to advise community boards on specific projects. The students, working a minimum of 15 hours a week, will receive stipends of $2,500 a semester, which should give them a taste of the salaries of real-life urban planners.

-Matthew Schuerman

• We've been stirred from our week-long beauty sleep with the news that the 110 apartment buildings of Stuy Town and Peter Cooper Village are on the block for $5 billion. The Times coverage is a joyous string of zingers: the sale "would be the biggest deal for a single American property in modern times" and "This is the ego dream of the world" and "They have to raise the rents or convert it to a condo." Ego dream indeed. (New York Times)
• A State Supreme Court justice has refused to stop construction at the 26-story New York University dorm going up on East 12th. Greenwich Village activists retort: "NYU has been the worst neighbor in every respect possible." Sadly, bad neighboring isn't illegal yet. (Newsday)
• The late Philip Johnson's partner Alan Richie will be converting a 12,778-square-foot office building at 5 East 44th Street into--(wait for it)--luxury condos. But first, of course, the old Grand Central neighbor will be demolished. (The Real Deal)
• The Post reports some very hard facts on 7 World Trade Center: The big deal (or "Big One") is Moody's lease for 700,000-plus square feet. When will that deal be done? It "won't be done until it's done." Right. (New York Post)
• Ex-senator real-estate drama! D'Amato has been hired to lobby against Pataki's plans to turn the Farley Post Office into Moynihan Station. The Dolans and MSG are tangled up in this, as are the nightmare egos of the world. (New York Sun)
- Max Abelson  read more »
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• AM New York, everyone's favorite daily, breaks through with a week-long "interactive housing feature." Ever wondered about the "borough identity" of Marble Hill residents? Or the proverbial "1,000-square-foot carpet made of $100 bills"? It's your lucky week. AM will dedicate daily issues to info on buying, renting, developments, etc; plus some history, some numbers, and some personal anecdotes. Especially personal anecdotes. (AM New York)
• What's more important than memorizing this week's quasi-thorough map to Manhattan celebrity--except for keeping up-to-date on the status of Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe's Charles Street love nest. After all, the $8.25 million pad even has--or had?--its own website. (New York)
• The Believer says Toni Schlesinger's Five Flights Up and Other New York Apartment Stories is as good as the Velvet Underground and Faberge eggs. Five Flights compiles Ms. Schlesinger's Village Voice "Shelter" columns from 1997-2006, which provides for a lot of pristine real estate free-association (Greenwich Village=squid, Chinatown=High Times, the East Village=the Arctic.) So true. (Believer)
• Caring about construction height, community integrity, and architectural preservation is all the rage: East Villagers say they aren't pleased about the 26-story NYU dorm going up on 12th Street. It's a pity they aren't more welcoming to 700 more NYU kids. (NY1)
• What do we learn when The Times runs two stories on one day about painters and DUMBO real estate? Nothing. (New York Times)
• What do we learn when Prudential Douglas Elliman senior VP Leonard Steinberg says real estate vultures "are already out and about in Manhattan"? That a bloody burst is around the bend. But have no fear: Corcoran CEO Pam Liebman promises that everything's still fine (sort of). (CNN/Money)
- Max Abelson  read more »
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Across the Hudson, Corzine Gets Results    read more »

Across the Hudson, Corzine Gets Results    read more »

Maxwell Asher IsaacsApril 6, 2006

6:39 p.m.

7 pounds, 12 ounces

New York University Hospital  read more »

Greenwich Village residents protest the construction on a New York University dorm between Third and Fourth Avenues.

A meeting of the directors of the New York State Urban Development Corporation will be held.

Jonathan Tasini denounces media outlets who refuse to include him in Senate candidates debate at Exhale Restaurant.

Wesley Clark campaigns with Eric Massa in Rochester.

—Nicole Brydson

From our office nearby Union Square, The Real Estate has often reported on neighborhood wine stores, bike protests, and falafel joints.

Anyway, tomorrow at 10 A.M., the Heartland Brewery in Union Square will be kicking off an ASPCA fundraiser by giving out Slobber Lager--a non-alcoholic beer for dogs.

And for anyone who thinks dogs can live only on Slobber Lager alone, the press release clears things up.

Rescued pooches will have the opportunity to taste a specially-formulated brew treat--not a replacement for water--outside the popular pub.

That goes for all the NYU kids, too. Beer is not a replacement for water!

- Michael Calderone

Photo taken from A Welsh View, a blog that covers dog beer closer than us.  read more »

Back in early April, the Wall Street Journal reported that the undulating, glass-sheathed Sculpture for Living was looking like a white elephant. "[J]ust one condo has sold since September, leaving 15 of the 39 units empty," wrote The Journal.

This week, New York magazine looks at some possible reasons for the slow sales.

Was it Paul Goldberger's scathing New Yorker piece? (For those who forgot this critical takedown, Mr. Goldberger thankfully keeps it, like a trophy, on his website here).

Could it be the new fangled "condop?" Selling high-end units on a land-lease sure hasn't helped the Stanhope, either. (Third item down).

Or perhaps it's the neighborhood that's keeping away the super-swanky, downtown buyers--who may feel more at home in Tribeca--from dropping $5 or $10 million on an apartment. Perhaps they are a bit wary of the Sparks-drinking skateboarders or gloomy goth kids lingering around The Cube. Not to mention all those drunk NYU kids passing by late at night, or the not-so-spectacular views of the K-Mart across the street.

But maybe everything's actually alright in luxury real estate land. As Related VP David Wine tells the magazine: "[It's] a very big financial success."  read more »

He might be right. But it's not surprising that when the pace of sales doesn't live up to the hyperbolic marketing campaigns that go into so many new starchitect-designed buildings, it may just appear to be a failure (even though it could turn a profit in the long run).

- Michael Calderone

Our luxury correspondent Trevor Butterworth continues his demented trip down the international lane of luxury. The other day, he rode-along with the Cartier crew for the launch of their Love charity bracelet. There was dash, there was swoon, there was confusion and there was envy. But how could there not be on "declare your love" day? "Cartier stands for love, commitment and passion," said Frederic de Narp, President and CEO of Cartier North America, as he launched a national charity initiative from Manhattan's de facto pulpit, the NASDAQ exchange in Times Square on June 8. And if the adoring looks of the ladies present were anything to go by, the day was off to a tragic start: the 37-year old Frederic—clearly the hottest CEO in North America—was married and would go home that evening to Chateaux de Narp in Westchester to be with his "brilliant and amazing wife" and their six children.

And then there was Sarah Jessica Parker, who arrived with golden hair a-flowing on feet that barely touched the floor. "They are fabulous," whispered a French reporter in awe of Ms. Parker's gravity-defying Christian Louboutin shoes, even though it looked as if the delicate star might break free at any moment and float off to join the cast of a pre-Raphaelite painting—which is quite possibly where she'd just come from. "I want to thank NASDAQ for this lovely and hospitable welcome," said Ms. Parker, as she was breaking poor NASDAQ's heart. She would ring in the opening of the exchange with Monsieur de Narp and Spike Lee, but she would not, as is tradition, sign the opening book.  read more »

The battle is on to best serve the wine-drinking needs of NYU and New School students (and everyone else living around Union Square and Astor Place).

First, Astor Wines moved to their new location on Lafayette Street. After a slight delay, Trader Joe's opened up the wine shop on 14th Street (appeasing even the most critical shoppers). And now Union Square Wines is moving to a bigger space at 140 4th Avenue.  read more »

Until the end of the month, there is a 30% sale on all still wines before the shop closes. But could that be cheaper than a Two Buck Chuck (which is actually $2.99)?

- Michael Calderone

In July, the legendary Cedar Tavern will be closing for six months, in order to, build condos above the bar.

Of course, the Cedar has a rich history. There have been abstract painters, beat writers, NYU dudes, and Observer reporters who sometimes bypass Old Town.

Here's how Metro reported it:

Joe Diliberto, who owns the bar and the two-story building, recently filed a permit with the Dept. of Buildings to convert the second floor into apartments and add seven stories.

He expects the bar to reopen after six months. "The first floor will be pretty much the same, only we'll lose some space to make room for an elevator," he said.

While the first floor remains "pretty much the same," the loss of the second floor--which is typically packed on many nights already--is a pretty big deal. Also, there won't be much need for a skylight anymore, which will be sorely missed from the second floor space.  read more »

- Michael Calderone

Tomorrow morning, Roger Green announces his candidacy in the 10th Congressional District.

In the evening, learn about New York's options in voting technology at NYU.

Then, network with the NY Young Dems Caucus of Color; or attend a book party at the Brecht Forum with Charles Glass, author of "The Northern Front" and former correspondent for the Observer.

—Nicole Brydson

On the evening of March 29, a long line of Ayn Rand fans passed through various security checks befo  read more »

This listing popped up at New York University:

Freelance writer for The Corcoran Group. Location: New York NY ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking for an NYU journalism student to be a freelance writer to create a letter and/or mailing for real estate marketing purposes. Writer will have to research the real estate market, write an average of approximately 400-600 words and design a mailing with a real estate broker. Mailing will be sent out to attract clients and customers. QUALIFICATIONS: We need an innovative writer who can create an eye-catching and interesting mailing. Basic computer application skills a plus for designing the mailing. PAY: $200 for each letter/mailing.

- Riva Froymovich

Kelly’s Heroes    read more »

Kelly’s Heroes  read more »

Jan. 11, 20062 p.m.

8 pounds, 11 ounces  read more »

New York University Hospital

• The top consideration when building new housing? A space for human waste. (Matrix)
• CBS may lose long time staffers, but clearly is expanding. (via The Real Deal)
• There's this totally new trend. People are buying old warehouses and converting them into lofts. (CNN)
• The "hautel." Isn't that how New Yorkers pronounce the world, anyway? (The New York Sun)
• John Sexton knows how to keep NYU competing with Columbia. After yesterday's announcement, New York University has also received a donation worth about $200 million. Guess who it's from? Shelby White. (The New York Times)
• After all that we've done, we have to go after an Indian nation's cigarette business too? (Newsday)
• Why does The Falls have such a bad rep? (The Village Voice)
• It was difficult to get Chinatown residents to share and document their history: "Who wants to say, 'I hustle and I work 18 hours a day?'" (The New York Sun)
• All five boroughs are now too expensive. The next frontier? Yonkers. (Curbed)
• Artsy pornographer and Brooklynite had to fly south to take photos. (NBC)
• When Isaac Mizrahi signs on to design clothes for Target, does he expect his name to retain any cachet? (The Wall Street Journal)

- Riva Froymovich

Tonight, Tuesday, NARAL will hold an event at Hofstra directed at the eight state senators in Long Island that voted against over the counter morning after pills.

Tomorrow, NYC DOT reviews designs for--to the relief of Starbucks chains citywide--public toilets!

Then, activists and community leaders from the tri-state area will gather at 32BJ headquarters to discuss the importance of renewing key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, just before the Department of Homeland Security answers questions at a poorly named NYU panel discussion (pdf).

And Stonewall Dems hold their monthly meeting at the LGBT Center featuring Richard Brodsky, George Arzt, Jonathan Tasini, and David Cohen, candidate for Civil Court.

—Nicole Brydson

Of the food procurement palaces in Union Square/NYU Village, where's a budget-conscious freshman to shop for produce that hearkens back to hometown heartland prices?

Well, nowhere. But! From a quick survey of prices, it seems that a savvy shopper would have to hit the three biggest local stores to get a cross-the-board deal.  read more »

Now, for a bit of truly useful service journalism.

Transom editor Choire Sicha sends a disturbing photo from outside the Wine Shop, which is not opening today.

NYU students will have to go another day without Charles Shaw wine.  read more »

Someone please alert the campus crisis hotline.

- Michael Calderone Previous: Trader Joe's: Rival Gangs Previous: Trader Joe's: The Crew Previous: Trader Joe's: Morning Rush

The New York Sun is reporting today about proposals to establish a historic district in the Lower East Side.

Developers will not be into the idea. And neither is NYU professor Mitchell Moss.

"This area is gradually blossoming with young people, new eateries, and the like, and this will turn it into a tourist trap rather than a genuine, authentic community," Mr. Moss said. "It's a historically inaccurate proposal. It's an effort to return to the 19th century rather than maintaining what's currently there."

While the Tenement Museum is pushing for tougher regulations, a landmark designation will have to be approved by both the Department of Planning and City Council.

In other words, it could take a while.

- Michael Calderone

George and Hilly Must Be Stopped   To the Editor:    read more »

Bloomberg Doesn’t Blow $3 Billion  read more »