Articles 08.24.09

In my 6/6/09 blog posting, I mentioned that the average retail space per capita in the United States is 20 ft” per person, while in the outer boroughs of New York it is only 6 ft” per person. The suggestion was that the outer boroughs of New York are under retailed. However, the article "Repurpose-Driven Life" argues that the opposite is true. Compared to our our European -- and other -- counterparts, the United States is grossly over retailed.

"Where New York Ranks" provide some very interesting statistics and facts. New York, for instance, has the highest worker productivity among states but also suffers from the highest income inequality.

Lesson learned: hipsters are not a sound foundation on which to rebuild a new neighborhood. The bloodbath occurring in Williamsburg certainly attests to that.Not exactly a shock. A doff of our porkpie hat to the article "Billy Burg Bust."

A detailed description of how changes in federal policy has benefited, or will benefit, New York is explained in the article "Obama six months later."

Want to know what stores will be filling up all our vacant retail space? Check out the article "Return of the Chains." Coming to Madison Avenue: "Dunkin' Doughnuts" and "Subway"? That's an image: social x-rays (remember that term from Bonfire of the Vanities?") marching down the Avenue in their Jimmy Choos, cockadoodle in tow, chowing down on jelly doughnuts and Double Stacked Subs, between Pilates classes and Botox injections.

Some of New York's best sandwiches are described in "Heaven on Bread." Having tried several of the sandwiches, I have to agree that they are truly wonderful. Just make sure you wipe the crumbs off of your shirt when you're done.

The editorial "Meaning of Life" answers all our questions. It's all about the trade-off between longevity and quality of life. Would you rather be fat and happy but live a shorter life, or thin and miserable but live to be 120? If you want to live to be a ripe old age, skip the article "Meaning of Life." It might make you happy but it may also kill you. Some choice!

Sierra in the News

We wanted to point you to Christine Haughney's article from July's New York Times -- about how wealthy (and not so wealthy) people in TriBeCa are dealing with the recession. Read the whole piece here.

Sierra in the News

The Real Deal has a nice mention of Sierra Realty Corp. being chosen to handle the management and leasing of 648 Broadway, a ten story commercial office building between Bond and Bleecker streets in Noho's historic district. The cast iron renaissance revival building is over 115 years old, and is stunningly beautiful! Click here to read the article.

Sierra in the News

Both Real Estate Weekly and gbNYC (Green Building in Gotham, which you must check out here) mention that UK shoe retailer Terra Plana signed a five-year deal for 2200 square feet of space at the gorgeous 254 Elizabeth Street in Nolita.

Click here to read the Real Estate Weekly article and here to read the gbNYC article.

Real Estate Weekly also notes that we secured a long-term lease at 425 West Broadway for the chic French handbag designer Cleo & Patek. Real the article here. Warm thanks to our friends at this excellent publication!

Sierra in the news

Our friends at the Mann Report mention that we are the exclusive agency for 801 Madison Avenue, between East 67th and 68th streets -- two 1,200 square foot floors currently occupied by luxury and high-fashion retailers Giorgio's, Max Mara, Dolce & Gabbana, and Donna Karan.