My first lunch at Michael’s was in 1995. Playboy magazine had flown me in from Moscow where I had snagged an exclusive interview with the late Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who was then running for president of Russia. It felt like everybody who was anybody was in the room, which glowed with its minimalist design, spectacular flower … Read more
At a certain level of execution, sushi is very much an art of marginal differences: the precise angle to which one chef might hone the blade of his knife, or the particular way another vinegars his rice. These are variations that might be imperceptible to the casual sushi eater but which can send a connoisseur … Read more
Honestly, it’s not that hard of a sell. As at Americans’ favorite quasi-upscale chain, the Cheesecake Factory, Din Tai Fung’s success hinges on utterly reliable, totally consistent quality. On each of my two recent visits, the food was exactly the same; each time, it was unimpeachably excellent. A beef noodle soup was warming and rich; … Read more
Two momentous new leases have been signed at premier Midtown locations, giving a boost to the entire Manhattan luxury retail market as well as to their landlords. Our sources must remain anonymous in the post-pandemic world of omerta. Strict non-disclosure agreements do wonders for lawyers’ billable hours without doing much to keep information secret. Venerable, … Read more
Yeshiva University plans to establish a new, state-of-the-art health sciences campus inside Herald Center, sources told Realty Check. What insiders described as a 32-year leasehold condominium purchase restores the mixed-use property across from Macy’s to 100% fully occupied. Sources said YU will have 160,000 square feet on Herald Center’s floors 5-9 as well as parts … Read more
An office building once owned by John Jacob Astor has sold for the first time in 82 years. Jay Properties bought 8 W. 38th St. from the Felder family for $35 million, or $250 per square foot. MIdtown office building once owned by John Jacob Astor was recently sold for $35 million. Handout The buyer … Read more
The thronged Bryant Park area will soon be even more thronged. Salesforce, the powerhouse software company that’s the largest tenant at 1095 Sixth Ave. at West 42nd Street, is poised to bring most of its employees back to their offices. An internal Salesforce memo advised staff that most employees must return to their desks by Oct. … Read more
It’s major news that Sweden’s Ingka Investments, which owns most Ikea stores, formed a “strategic alliance” in Extell’s planned, one million square-foot mixed-use tower at 570 Fifth Ave. Developer Gary Barnett has long planned to build a large new skyscraper at the precious Midtown site. Ingka will hold a one-third stake in the project and have full … Read more
Sixth Avenue has reclaimed its title as Midtown’s No. 1 office-leasing corridor, as measured by the least percentage of vacant space — the latest lead change in the never-ending bragging-rights battle with Park Avenue. Colliers reports that Sixth Avenue’s fourth-quarter occupancy at 11.5% of space available was the lowest of any Midtown corridor and slightly bested … Read more
It’s high-five time at Nine West, the near-mythic office tower at 9 W. 57th Street enjoying new life under Stefan Soloviev, the son of late developer Sheldon Solow. The 50-story skyscraper with over 1.6 million square feet behind its famous sloping facade inched closer to 100% occupancy with a newly signed lease with French global … Read more
