Empire State IPO dissidents switching vote for fear of missing out, NYC ultimate breeding ground for alphas … and more

1. Dissidents moving to vote in favor of Empire State Building IPO for fear of missing out [NYT]
2. Fifteen cities where housing prices are coming back: PHOTOS [Forbes]
3. Mortgage applications decreased 11.5 percent nationwide from last week [Press Release]
4. A first glimpse of the World Trade Center transit hub: PHOTO [Architect’s Newspaper]
5. Hello there, alphas: New York is world’s most competitive city, study shows [NYT]
6. Neighborhood group meets to discuss impact of Lightstone’s 700-unit Gowanus project [Pardon Me For Asking]
7. McMansions make a comeback [NYT]
8. New residential building at 508 Seneca Avenue tops out [Wycoff Heights]
9. Red Hook holds first post-Sandy street parade: PHOTOS [Gothamist]
10. Adopt-A-Monument movement finding success in the Bronx [MAS NYC]
11. MTA will have to shut down R train tunnel for at least a year [NY Mag]
12. Nino’s Pizza making an East Village comeback [EV Grieve]
13. The cover-up job at the Plaza Hotel: PHOTOS [NYP]