Real estate in brief

Construction begins on new police academy

Construction has begun on a controversial new police academy in the Queens neighborhood of College Point. The first phase of construction is expected to cost around $750 million, according to a press release from the city, which did not indicate what the total construction cost would be. The new academy, which has been designed to garner a silver LEED certification and will include an energy-efficient central utility plant and green roofs, will help address the growing “complexities of [the NYPD’s] mission,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. The plan had drawn ire from the community when it was first announced, with City Council member Tony Avella referring to it as a “monstrosity.” The first phase of construction is slated for a 2013 completion.

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HSN inks lease at 545 Madison Avenue

Home Shopping Network has signed a seven-year full-floor lease at LEED gold-certified 545 Madison Avenue at the corner of 55th Street, according to a press release from building owner LCOR. The 7,114-square-foot space will be used for the network’s executive offices, boardrooms and marketing center. According to David Sigman, senior vice president of LCOR, Home Shopping Network chose the space because it “was looking for high-end, highly visible executive space.” In addition, the new tenant “appreciated that we catered to their specific and multi-purpose operational needs.” It was not immediately clear how much the space was leased for.