Ashkenazy Acquisition’s prez says he wants to open more NY-area IHOPs

Michael Alpert, president and vice chairman of the Ashkenazy Acquisition, wants to open more IHOPs in the New York metro area.

“In 2011, we saw a lot of strength on the leasing side, a lot of interest from the retailers across the portfolio,” he said in a 30-minute interview feature with the New York Times. “And last year, we opened up our first IHOP location, on 14th Street. We hope to open additional IHOP locations.”

Ashkenazy recently converted the Knickerbocker Hotel building into commercial condominium units and recently moved to a bigger office space uptown. In the interview, Alpert talks about corporation founder and business partner Ben Ashkenazy — who has been his best friend since high school — general investment strategy, and how business is going these days. [NYT]