News
MARC HOLLIDAY AT AREW
December 11, 2009
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| We think yesterday’s AREW luncheon at Tavern On The Green should’ve been dubbed a "Holliday" Party, as appropriately named SL Green CEO Marc Holliday keynoted the event. And there’s nothing like ending the year on a much more bullish note than it started. The largest NYC landlord tells us that we’re seeing tangible signs that the market is improving—enough that SL Green is putting its money where its mouth is, Marc says. The REIT, which has been quiet on the acquisition side these past few years, is ready to spend in ’10. |
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| Marc, with Newmark Knight Frank’s Robin Fisher, Rhodes Associates’ Jane Lyons, Caran Properties’ Rebecca Mason (AREW president), Related’s Jennifer McCool, Fulbright & Jaworski’s Jane Snoddy Smith, and Perkins+Will’s Debra Cole. Wednesday, the REIT announced that it acquired the first mortgage loan secured by 510 Madison Ave from the Union Labor Life Insurance Co. Marc says that hopefully the firm will take control of 100 Church St. as well in 1Q, adding to its 23M-SF portfolio. Unlike some owners, SL Green can do this, he says, because of preemptive measures it took during the upswing, like selling vulnerable assets and paying off $1B in debt. |
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| Wow! Despite the downturn and thinner wallets, 225 Secret Santas responded to AREW Charitable Fund’s toy drive for the children of Women In Need, representing more than 10% of the gifts that WIN will receive this holiday. Charmaine Davis-Murray (right, with the Charitable Fund board) and her FirstService Williams colleagues were responsible for 50 of those. There’s also another happy story: due to cutbacks, WIN wasn’t able to have its annual holiday party, but AREW’s stepping in to give 100 children a celebration in the Bronx next Thursday. (If you’re wondering what’s on Mary Williamson of CUH2A’s head, center, it’s a paper hat from the British-inspired party crackers provided by England native Rebecca Mason). |
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| JLC Environmental’s Jennifer Carey, Kimball Office’s Barbara Giaquinto, Teknion’s Julia Glazer, and Jones Lang’s Bonnie Kirschenbaum. Congrats to Barbara, who just stepped us as AREW luncheon co-chair with Julia, and Bonnie, who recently rejoined JLL as part of the facilities team for Bank of America. Their holiday plans? Jennifer’s hiking in Death Valley, Julia’s skiing in Vermont, Barbara’s heading down to the Sunshine State, and Bonnie’s relaxing at home. (Perhaps someone can entice her with a trip to the Pacific Northwest, which seems to be the only US corner not covered here.) |
