New York Real Estate Development
Interactive Development Associates assisted the Vintage Group in negotiating the purchase of the RKO Theater Site on Main Street in Flushing, NY from foreclosure at Doral Bank in December 2011. Throughout 2012‐2013, IDA assisted Vintage in restructuring project from a luxury condominium to a viable rental project by redesign and negotiating the approvals at the NYC Board of Standard and Appeals, the NYC Department of Buildings and the Federal Aviation Agency. Throughout 2013 IDA worked with Vintage to create a viable financing structure and selecting equity partners. In December 2013, IDA was instrumental in assisting in the sale of the improved property to a local development group and helping Vintage secure a 100% return on their investment.
As part of the streetscape redevelopment effort for New Bond Street/ New Englishtown in Tianjin, Crown Acquisitions arranged for Ralph Lauren to develop a Flagship Store at the Landmarked, formerly the British Consulate Building, at the heart of the district. The building is 38,000sf on 3 floors and will be fully restored to its former grandeur while accommodating a new retail strategy for Ralph Lauren. The building terraces will provide access to the central plaza of the district. WQB Architecture / Citiarc arranged for Crown to take possession of the building and will provide architectural services for the restoration of the landmark building.
OBRFC / Columbus Associates was formed to develop one of the last sites in NYC HPD’s Dollar Building Program. The site was composed of 3 totally “gutted” tenements which became the NYS HFA’s first 80/20 funding, with sales of a 4% LIHTC to Chevron Oil Co. OBRFC subsequently purchased a vacant lot at 965 Columbus Avenue which was developed under the Inclusionary Zoning Program, utilizing the 8% Low Income Housing Tax Credits and NYS Housing Trust Fund Infrastructure Grants. The Inclusionary Zoning Rights were sold to Millennium Partners for development of 1965 Broadway. Four additional properties on West 107th Street were purchased from the RTC which became moderate rehabs and were subsequently refinanced under NYC HPD programs. At the end of the project, OBRFC developed 8 buildings utilizing 7 different NYC and NYS programs and transformed a previously bombed-out block to new housing for 130 families with incomes as low as 50% of AMI and as high as local market rates.
A local development company, with King Deer, a national fashion company as their partner, has been selected to develop the first iconic commercial project in the newly relocated Central Business District (CBD) of Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia. A design concept using faceted “crystals” was developed to reflect the local climate and the new economic culture related to coal and mineral resources. The project will be 4 million square feet and includes office buildings, a regional shopping/ entertainment mall, a 5 Star Hotel and Conference Center, 3 luxury residential towers and 3 levels of underground parking. The project is currently in the approval phase and is scheduled to start construction in the summer of 2012.
Hampshire Hotels and Resorts have operated 210 West 55th Street, formally known as the Woodword Hotel, under a variety of franchise agreements and reservation systems for over 20 years. The property also includes two other buildings which comprise the entire block of West 55th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue. As master-planner and architect for the property, WQB Architecture prepared designs for building renovation and additions, demolition/redevelopment of the entire site; redevelopment of 206 W. 55th Street as an extended stay hotel, and 200 w. 55th as Hampshire’s corporate offices. The 280-room hotel is currently the new flagship for “The Dream” HHR’s new boutique chain, which is being operated as a “Leading Hotel of the World” and is currently being introduced in Downtown Manhattan, Bangkok and India.
Dongping County sets its goals to be a significant center for cultural tourism. In preparation for this, Dong Ping is considering development of a long term Master Plan for cultural development throughout the City.
Development of a universal theme for a vacation which will have universal appeal for a variety of families and individuals. Given the nature of the existing heritage mountains and Baifo Mountain the theme should be centered and reflect a calmness which is prevalent in Buddhist culture-Qi. Qi can be obtained through enjoyment of experiences which provide spiritual comfort, physical comfort and exercising your mind. Existing and new opportunities have been grouped to provide convenient and comfortable options for creating a variety of personal vacation choices
Baifo Mt will define itself as Spiritual Retreat Destination for people to enjoy spiritual comfort and calm. The Theme Park will also have Buddhist, Confuscious and Taoist themed accommodations and restaurant venues.
Originally built for one of the grand old theatre companies of New York, the Lambs Club was designed in 1905 by Stanford White, partner in the acclaimed architecture firm of McKim, Mead and White who designed the Old Pennsylvania Station and Boston Public Library Buildings. WQB Architecture, the Architect of Record, with interior design by The Office of Thierry Despont, was tasked with overseeing the complete renovation and architectural redesign of the building to create a magnificent and contextual 5-star boutique hotel in the heart of Time’s Square. The hotel is the jewel in the crown of the Hampshire Hotel franchise. New construction included the rehabilitation and addition to the existing landmarked façade, a four-story penthouse addition (which does not affect street side views of the structure), and a grand two-story atrium in the second floor lounge. The hotel includes a signature Geoffrey Zakarian restaurant, health spa, conference rooms, and banquet facilities in the basement. Construction was completed in 2010.
