According to the Post, Phoenix Constructors was not aware that the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey was going to dump the firm as the
main contractor on the World Trade Center transportation hub. Sources
said Phoenix  — a joint venture of Fluor Enterprises, Skanska USA
Civil Northeast, Granite Construction and Bovis Lend Lease — expected
to stay on the job since it just signed a lease for 55,000 square feet
at 100 Broadway and the Port Authority was its only client. The PA is
now managing the project itself, and will bid out work to individual
contractors, which Phoenix will be allowed to apply for. Christopher
Ward, the PA’s executive director, said it made the change to take
advantage of falling construction prices, although sources said the
PA’s relationship with Phoenix has been unstable for years. The New York Observer reported the split between Phoenix and the PA last week. [more]

The Real Deal held its holiday party last night at the Sicis Art Factory, at 470 Broome Street in Soho. More than 1,000 real estate professionals filled the four-floor showroom packed with mosaic designs covering entire walls in flower and animal patterns, hanging tile displays that looked like flying carpets and mannequins dressed in armor. Attendees included Bob Knakal and Paul Massey, co-founders of Massey Knakal; Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel; Michael Shvo, founder of the Shvo Group; Steven Siegel, chairman of global brokerage at CB Richard Ellis; and Tamir Shemesh, managing director of Prudential Douglas Elliman. While touring the floors of art and drinking champagne and sampling hors d’oeuvres, many of the real estate pros at the party talked about the state of the market and what they are up to. Here’s a sampling: Comments

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