Home builders prepare for post-downgrade drop, Empire State Building takes $159M mortgage … and more

1. U.S. home builders brace themselves for post-downgrade drop in confidence
[WSJ]
2. Empire State Building takes out a $159M mortgage from HSBC
[Post, 2nd item]
3. Mortgage bond sale endangers rebound in U.S. commercial property
[Bloomberg]
4. Intercontinental Hotels Group plans to launch another full-service U.S. brand
[WSJ]
5. Music talent firm MBK Entertainment signs 7,583-square-foot lease at 519 Eighth Avenue
[Post, 3rd item]
6. Goldman Sachs sued by government over securities sold to credit unions
[Bloomberg]
7. You can now own a table at Elaine’s
[Post]
8. Barron’s upgrades six home builders to outperform status
[Barron’s]
9. Haunted house Blood Manor at 163 Varick Street will finally reopen with new tenant
[Post, 5th item]
10. Credit isn’t easing, keeping pressure on the housing market: appraiser Jonathan Miller [Miller Samuel]
11. Playground pop-up delights at Park Slope’s Washington Park
[Brooklyn Paper]