Schrager sets sights on cheap-but-chic hotel empire, Republican candidates avoid housing talk at debate … and more

1. Ian Schrager has his eyes on a cheap-but-chic hotel empire
[NYO]
2. Responses to city’s request for proposals mark huge milestone in Willets Point development
[NYT]
3. Republican candidates shied away from housing discussion at last night’s debate
[WSJ]
4. HPD decides to go ahead with affordable housing project on 20th Street Park in Chelsea
[DNAinfo]
5. FAA rejection of proposed Flushing high-rise carries little weight
[NYDN]
6. Housing bust is key driver of consumers’ lack of confidence
[NYT]
7. Some new NYC rental buildings are taking tenants on spec
[WSJ]
8. Owners of Trump Palace retail condo are not paying common charges
[Post, 4th item]
9. Chef files UWS eateries Bomboloni and Jalapeno for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
[Crain’s]
10. Sugar Hill Golden Ale, beer brand that dates to Prohibition, is opening a Harlem factory
[Uptowner]
11. 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increases to 4 percent for first time in seven weeks
[Zillow]
12. Sharif El-Gamal misleads Daily News on property tax payment
[NYDN]
13. Ashkenazy Acquisition’s $61M deal for the ground lease at 635 Madison finally closes
[Post, 3rd item]
14. Inside some of the world’s best-designed offices
[NYDN]
15. Dispute over sale of Norman Mailer’s Brooklyn Heights apartment
[NYT]