Vito Lopez vs. Brooklyn’s ‘Gold Coast’

Tuesday’s hearing on the 421-a Property Tax Exemption Program almost didn’t happen.

“When we mailed out the notice and we reached out to a lot of people, there was almost no response,” Vito Lopez, chairman of the state Assembly’s housing committee, said. “So it’s quite interesting.”

At issue was whether 421-a, which gives tax breaks Read More

The Afternoon Wrap: Wednesday

  • Michael Pescatore ran the East Coast’s biggest “chop shop” (stolen cars galore!), and then he meticulously built a kingly “14,431-square-foot mansion on Long Island’s Gold Coast.” If only he hadn’t messed with the interior designer, he wouldn’t be in prison now. [Village Voice]
  • How expensive is New York real estate? Expensive. The Read More

  • John Starks On Brooklyn’s New “Gold Coast”

    Yesterday’s condo conversion launch party for 99 Gold Street–a six-story building which was a former toy factory (during Brooklyn’s grittier days)–was packed from the start.

    Swarming brokers chatted about the “Vinegar Hill” locale, while still referring to the surrounding neighborhood as good old DUMBO. And there was a lot of talk Read More