LAST NIGHT AT THE (FORMER) NYT BUILDING

March 13, 2009 | 8:00 am ET Staff Reporter

Everyone’s talking about W.P. Carey’s $225M interest in the New York Times HQ on Eighth Ave., but what about the newspaper’s former home? Last night, we stopped by B’nai B’rith Young Development Group’s “Forum at the Top” event to see the newly renovated Times Square Building at 226 W. 43rd, which Africa Israel USA purchased in ’07 for $525M.

Sheldon Good’s Misha Haghani, “Forum” co-chair; AFI USA’s Andy Ashwal; and Hofheimer Gartlir & Gross’ Gerald Morganstern, B’nai B’rith real estate unit president, who seemingly coordinated ties. Andy says that when it purchased the building, it decided to hit the ground running with the renovations, which include a new lobby and elevators. AFI USA repositioned the building to include retail from the cellar to second floor, and office up to the 18th.

Mc Gowan Builders’ Arie Ben-Dor, “Forum” co-chair, with Andres Escobar & Associates’ Andres Escobar. Interior designer Andres conceived the building’s lobby; his firm is also behind interiors at the Duvet Restaurant and Lounge on 45 W. 21st, District at 111 Fulton St., The Olcott at 72 W. 27th, and Harsen House at 120 W. 72nd.

CB Richard Ellis’ Victor Spivak, attorney John Osborn, and Cushman & Wakefield’s Zachary Price. Victor is the building’s leasing agent; Subway Runner, the entertainment group that puts on South Street Seaport’s “Bodies” exhibit, just signed a 60k-SF retail lease.

Trigem Realty’s Herve Blaise and Berko & Associates’ Emily Lau and Agustin Peña show take a tour of the building’s 11th floor, which overlooks the heart of Times Square. Agustin, a NAIOP NYC board member, is preparing for the association’s April 7th event featuring Time Equities’ Francis Greenburger. Herve and Emily have warmer weather on their minds; he just returned from Puerto Rico and she’s headed off to Jamaica.

Eiseman Levine’s John Tomlin, Statewide Abstract Corp.’s Richard Krasner, and Abercrombie Capital’s Matt Rubinoff. John’s working on the sale of sponsor units in a 23-unit building in Flushing, Queens. He also represents the largest franchisee of Wendy’s restaurants (we hope that comes with a lifetime supply of Frostys.)

HJ Development’s Ian Fishkin and Henry Justin flank Henry’s family: wife Erein, niece Doreen David, and son Jonathan. Doreen is working on her Masters in mental health and psychology at Touro. And what a relevant focus: she’s studying how stress in today’s market affects real estate professionals’ children.

Gotham Organization’s Lauren Cahill and Jeffrey Kaye, with Charles Rutenberg Realty’s Don Pravda, tell us that Gotham is currently building a mixed-use residential building on 200 W. 72nd St.. Don sells real estate in New York and Florida—is that apples and oranges?

Thornton Tomasetti’s Claudia Fischmann and Erleen Hatfield with Mirabella New York’s Jasmine Kracht. Claudia is currently designing glass staircases for the construction engineering firm, and has worked on projects such as the Brooklyn Cyclones stadium and 443 Greenwich St.

LAST NIGHT AT THE (FORMER) NYT BUILDING

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