From left: TRD‘s interpretation of Richard LeFrak’s outfit for his “Miami Vice”-themed birthday party, and Aby Rosen’s actual costume (via Instagram)
Richard LeFrak rang in his 70th birthday in style with a surprise dinner and “Miami Vice”-themed bash in the Financial District that drew around 400 friends and family. (more…)
Office leasing slowed in the third quarter, but asking rents continued rising in Manhattan, Cushman & Wakefield figures showed. Total leasing volume was 21.9 million square feet through September, 10 percent lower than 2014’s first nine months. Manhattan’s average asking rent rose 6.6 percent to $71.02 per square foot last quarter, from $66.62 a year ago. (more…)
From left: Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky
Airbnb secured more than $100 million in its latest round of private equity funding, which recently closed. The round occurred at the same time as the $25.5 billion valuation during the company’s previous funding round this summer.
The popular and controversial home sharing service marketed its solid growth to investors as it sought a fresh influx of capital. Airbnb generated $340 million in revenue in the third fiscal quarter of this year on bookings of $2.2 billion, according to an investor slide presentation. (more…)
Visana at 321 Third Avenue (inset: David Jaffee)
Notorious Airbnb ‘slumlord’ David Jaffee is taking heat from Gramercy residents, with his new lounge on Third Avenue allegedly keeping neighbors up at night by allowing partygoers to clog the sidewalk. (more…)
Clockwise from top left: 101 Central Park West, 140 West 12th Street, 262 Central Park West and 620 Park Avenue
Manhattan’s luxury market exploded during the first half of the month with a whopping 70 contracts signed, the strongest November start since 2006, according to Olshan Realty’s weekly market report. (more…)
Bobbie Sackman with Mayor Bill de Blasio
Seniors are seeing unexpected rent hikes caused by problems in the design of a city program meant to help them stay in their homes, a federal lawsuit claims.
The Rent Freeze Program allows rent-regulated tenants aged 62 or older to lock in their rent. But the program requires residents to renew every two years, leading to a large number being dropped. (more…)
