Rapid Realty to open office in Red Hook, construction begins on phase two of High Line … and more

1. Franchise of Rapid Realty to open storefront location in Red Hook by month’s end [Brownstoner] 

2. Law firm Drinker, Biddle & Reath relocating office to NY from LA [Philadelphia Business Journal] 

3. Construction begins for phase two of the High Line [Inhabitat]
4. Economist says 97 percent of U.S. mortgages are government-backed [Washington’s Blog] 

5.
Luxury market in New York City shows signs of improvement [NYT] 

6. Editorial recommends ways to improve federal anti-foreclosure programs that pols want to eliminate [NYT]
7. House to vote on bill to get rid of FHA short refinance programs [Inman] 

8. Public testifies over proposed changes by Landmarks Preservation Commission [Nearsay] 

9. Julianne Moore’s West Village townhouse back on the market, asking $12.5 million [Curbed] 

10. Proposal in progress to extend historic district in Carroll Gardens [Patch] 

11. Second phase underway for seven-story condo complex in Hamptons [Hampton Report]
12. Realogy boosts revenue in 2010 and posts net loss of $99 million [Inman] 

13. Analyzing HSBC’s foreclosure moratorium [Daily Finance] 

14. Law firm signs 17-year lease for 37,000 square feet at 125 Broad Street [NYO]
15. Taiwanese-American fashion designer Alexander Wang opens flagship in Soho [Arch Paper] 

16. NYU Langone Medical Center signs 21-year lease with Vornado for additional space at One Park Avenue [GlobeSt] 

17. Units at Tribeca’s Skylofts come back on market at lower prices [Curbed] 

18. Planned music venue in Park Slope sparks debate from residents who fear crowds from nearby Atlantic Yards [WSJ]