King Kong

Last week, the Wall Street Journal featured an article in its Wednesday “Property Report” about the emergence of four new Big Apple skyscrapers that are out to challenge the Empire State Building’s stature as the go-to Manhattan observatory.

The biggest among them is One World Trade Center, followed by 30 Rockefeller Center and then two structures that are yet to be delivered to the skyline—One Vanderbilt, next to Grand Central Terminal, and 30 Hudson Yards on the city’s West Side. I am confident that all of these new entrants will provide some of the best views in Manhattan.

However, they do not possess one key differentiator: They are not iconic. 

The Empire State Building is one of a kind. You can build taller, but you cannot replace the power of an icon. 

Real estate is all about location and differentiation. The Empire State Building is not only smack-dab in the center of Manhattan, but it’s history is as amazing as the views it provides. After all, who can forget King Kong’s memorable climb up the tower’s façade in 1933/?

Job Listings

  SPONSORED JOB MINTZ  Real Estate Practice Group Associate (Off Track) (BOSTON) Responsibilities include working with nationally recognized commercial retailers on the acquisition and ground leasing of potential properties. Candidates must be admitted to the Massachusetts State bar or admitted to at least one state bar and have qualified for admission to the Massachusetts State Bar.    SPONSORED JOB COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL  Region Facilities Technician  (SAVANNAH, GA) Duties include: coordinating and completing system and building repairs and preventative maintenance requirements in a timely manner; performing general maintenance requirements of buildings; and providing assistance to the Chief Engineer in all aspects of site operation and maintenance. .

  JLL Senior Vice President, Sales & Lease Administration  (CHICAGO) Position will be responsible for driving the solution and sales of lease administration and related services and new products within the lease administration business, with regional responsibility for the US West and South regions.   BREATHER  Construction Manager  (MONTREAL, QC) Reporting to the Director of Design and working closely with Real Estate and Launch teams, the Construction Project Manager will be responsible for ensuring on-time, on-budget and high-quality build out of Breather spaces across all markets. Position will ensure the layouts, finishes and details created by the Design Team are clearly documented and constructed according to design intent.   CRESCENT COMMUNITIES  Director of Development, Multifamily (Dallas) (DALLAS) Position will support Managing Director in the development of Multifamily project(s) from concept to disposition in specific regions or cities. Duties include researching target markets; touring competitive market area properties; and assisting in identifying and reviewing land opportunities, creating conceptual analysis, and drafting LOIs.    HUTTON Senior Real Estate Manager  (CHATTANOOGA, TN) Manager will oversee all aspects of ground up retail real estate development activities, including originating new ground up development transactions through site selection, land negotiation, entitlements, land purchase, construction and delivery.    SUBURBAN CAMPUS PROPERTIES, INC.  Acquisitions & Asset Management Associate  (LYNNFIELD, MA) Duties include: sourcing acquisition opportunities to meet the Company’s acquisition criteria; building detailed pro forma financial models; researching markets and submarkets; and participating in all aspects of the due diligence process during the acquisition of properties.    TRINITY INVESTMENTS  Investment Associate  (HONOLULU) Role will be focused on supporting Trinity’s acquisition efforts including deal underwriting, due diligence and closing of new prospective investments, and managing existing portfolio assets.   AUDUBON CAPITAL PARTNERS  Property Manager  (NEW ORLEANS) Manager will be fully accountable for all day-to-day property operations, overseeing, and enhancing the value of the property.    HEITMAN  Assistant Vice President/Vice President, Originations  (LOS ANGELES) Position will originate, structure, conduct due diligence and assist in closing senior and subordinate debt transactions throughout the Western U.S.