Real estate insiders gather for Hudson Yards history

Gilad Azaria of Elliman and The Real Deal web reporter Amy Tennery

New York University’s premier city historian Francis Morrone gave a talk on the history of Hudson Yards and its development since the 1960’s last Thursday at the home of The Real Deal’s publisher, Amir Korangy.

In his talk, Morrone discussed the history of the Far West Side rail yards, the neighborhood’s erstwhile “tenderloin” reputation and its past as a garment manufacturing epicenter. Morrone also touched on the infamous decision to demolish the old Pennsylvania Station — and how its past could influence future development today.

The event drew members from every aspect of the real estate industry, including Halstead Property agents Jill Sloane and Michael Rovner, who coordinated the event. Also in attendance were developers, members of the American Institute of Architecture, Kramer Levin Managing Partner Jay Neveloff, developer Uri Mermelstein, architecture critic James Gardner and developer Ben Levine.

The event was sponsored by Wells Fargo.