Developer Larry Silverstein’s Silverstein Properties plans to sell $1.6 billion of tax-exempt bonds as soon as next week, in an effort to finance the 3 World Trade Center project.
Silverstein said he hopes an uptick in the municipal bond market makes for a successful sale. The developer has struggled to find investors for the 1,170-foot-tall, 2.5 million-square-foot tower. The property is only 20 percent leased, thus amplifying the risk for potential bondholders.
In December, advertising and media company GroupM signed a 20-year lease for 516,000 square feet, as previously reported. The bonds would be between 5 and 6 percent – a higher rate but below a typical lenders’ charge for construction debt, according to the Wall Street Journal. [WSJ] — Mark Maurer
Correction: The original version incorrectly stated that Silverstein planned to sell $1.6 million of tax-exempt bonds.