Gracie Mansion

“Numbers to know” is a weekly web feature that catalogues the most notable, quirky and surprising real estate statistics. Prices in Williamsburg are on the rise, the Gracie Mansion will host an awards show and more inventory is coming on the market.  [more]

City Councilman Lewis Fidler

A bill before the City Council would require co-op board members to confirm in writing they did not discriminate against potential buyers and to act on all applications within 45 days, the New York Times reported.

The measure is intended to limit mistreatment of applicants because of their race, ethnicity and a host of other criteria. The signatures of board members would bring accountability and the time limit would prevent a delayed response from being construed as bias said Councilman Lewis Fidler, who sponsored the bill. [more]

Michael Bloomberg and Madison Square Garden

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leaning toward moving Madison Square Garden from its Midtown perch but by using the permitting process — not eminent domain, Crain’s reported.

Bloomberg laid out his position yesterday, just before the Department of City Planning proposed a 15-year permit for the venue to stay in its space on top of Penn Station, at roughly 33rd Street and Eighth Avenue. [more]

I.M. Pei with a model of the Louvre

“Numbers to know” is a weekly web feature that catalogues the most notable, quirky and surprising real estate statistics. Architect I.M. Pei marks his birthday with a multi-building celebration, Bloomberg administration goes on a conversion binge, and Americans are taking up more space at home. See this week’s countdown after the jump. [more]

The Kingsbridge Armory

Long-closed Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx will be converted into one of the country’s largest ice skating rinks, Mayor Michael Bloomberg will announce today. [more]

From left: Mayor Bloomberg, Grand Central Station and City Council Member Daniel Garodnick

A City Council member is throwing a wrench into Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to rezone Midtown East for more big office buildings, the Wall Street Journal reported. [more]

A rendering of Hunter’s Point South (source: Mayor’s Flickr page)

The city broke ground today on the first phase of the development of two apartment towers — comprising 925 affordable units — at the Hunter’s Point South project in Long Island City, slated to be the largest housing development since the construction of Co-op City in the Bronx, Crain’s reported. And Mayor Michael Bloomberg was on hand to announce the launch of the second phase with a request for development proposals. [more]

From left: Sam Zell, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Stephen Ross and Richard LeFrak

The New York City real estate industry is no stranger to huge volumes of cash trading hands. But only a few local players crack the upper echelons of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Still, several familiar names grace Forbes’ 2013 list of 1,426 global billionaires, who collectively have a net worth of $5.4 trillion. [more]

Inset: Mayor Michael Bloomberg

“Numbers to know” is a weekly web feature that catalogues the most notable, quirky and surprising real estate statistics. Foreclosures’ effect on crime, Bloomberg’s fight to bring more tourists to NYC and the G train’s saga. See this week’s countdown after the jump. [more]

Steven Spinola

The union that represents doormen and service workers is teaming up with the Real Estate Board of New York to screen mayoral candidates beginning this week, Capital New York reported.

The groups — which have often been at odds over the years — will ask the Democratic mayoral candidates questions at the Sheraton beginning tomorrow. Next month, the group will screen the Republican mayoral candidates.

[more]