SCHMOOZIN’ IN THE RAIN

July 1, 2009 | 8:00 am ET Staff Reporter

Thanks to everyone who braved last night’s downpour to join theBisnow crew at our second Schmooze at the Time Warner Center’s Stone Rose Lounge. (Two of our attendees even sought an hour-long deluge refuge in a coffee shop just so they could attend!)

Massey Knakal’s Bob Knakal, here with colleague Jonathan Hagemen, tells us good-quality assets are now attracting dozens of bidders as money comes off the sidelines. More noticeable are international buyers, especially high net-worth individuals, who have the perception that NYC values are lower than they actually are.

Structure Tone’s John Butters, with colleague Christopher Rivielle, was actually the project executive for the retail portion of the Time Warner Center, including The Stone Rose, Sephora, J. Crew, and Williams-Sonoma. Other projects the construction firm is working on include the new JCPenney at the Manhattan Mall, the Facconable Boutique at Rockefeller Center, the Vidal Sassoon salon at 56th and Fifth, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

We can always count on the executive recruitingexperts at The Bachrach Group to give us a shot of optimism despite seemingly dismal unemployment numbers. People are now getting multiple offers as real estate companies look to grow again, Richard Bachrach, Alexandra Roth, and Eric Barker say—“and I would tell you if the market was bad,” Richard adds. Now they’re sending candidates’ resumes to four or five different prospective employers.

One of the advantages of being a restaurant specialist is a trip to the Fancy Food Show at the Javits, where Great American Brokerage’s Paul Fetscher (here with Workplace Strategy Integration’s Fran Ferrone, and Marlene Weisler) spent his day before schmoozing with Bisnow. The hottest items? Designer cheeses and chocolates in all shapes and sizes. He tells us he also just opened a spot for client Muscle Maker Grill at Wick Plaza in Edison, NJ.

Everglades Technologies’ David Sacks with Winoker Realty’s Alex Fazio, Anat Yaron, and Bill Berkis. Bill just brokered two leases totaling 4.9k SF for the law firm of Howard M. Rosengarten at 363 Seventh Ave. and Woodmere Trading at 55 Broad St., while David just closed a transaction involving the IT installation of 53 voice-over-IP systems. (We’re not that tech savvy, but we’ll take his word that it was a “big deal.”) Anat says business is picking up for Winoker, as more spin-off ventures are looking for space.

The phrase "find the bottom" came up so much, you might think we were giving away cereal with with decoder rings hidden inside. Berko & Associates’ Steve Geller and Agnes Czajkowski are patiently awaiting that bottom, of the office market, and note that clients are looking for safer investment options like apartment buildings and triple-net deals, as well as assets in default and notes. Even though less deals are getting done, they’re where prices should be, Steven says; The two look forward to an exciting Fourth, with Agnes hiding in the Catskills and Steven watching Macy’s fireworks from the piers.

Trump Sales & Leasing’s Bonnie Kirschenbaum, ERM Architecture's Edward McGinnis, and Caran Properties’ Rebecca Mason. Bonnie and Rebecca were recently elected treasurer and president of AREW’s ’09-’10 season. Ed’s also a member, but AREWM just doesn’t flow as nicely.

Nason Trading Co.’s Mary Nason Sturges (with Time Equities’ Gary Vizioli) is planning to spend her Fourth with an imperial pot luck buffet, fireworks, and dancing in honor of the soldiers. Her non-profit international cultural exchange, Tip Tree Society, is hosting the holiday rooftop event at 201 E. 28th and is donating clothes to the VA Hospital on 23rd St. and Covenant House. If you’re interested in joining, you can RSVP to 212-686-3307; the donation is $10 per person. (More photos)

SCHMOOZIN’ IN THE RAIN

Continue reading this story with a free account

Sign in