Michael Calderone

Politico's Michael Calderone reports that Richard Wolffe, who covered the presidential election for Newsweek, will write a book called Renegade: The Education of Barack Obama for the Crown imprint of Random House.

Sound familiar?

That's because just yesterday the Media Mob reported that Anne Kornblut of The Washington Post had signed with Crown to do a book called Rejection: Why America Isn't Ready for A Woman President.

Ms. Kornblut and Mr. Wolffe, who told The Observer in early October that he had plans for an election book but no contract, will both be edited by Crown's Sean Desmond.

According to Politico, Mr. Wolffe's book is scheduled to come out in June 2009, and will include material from Mr. Wolffe's campaign reporting and interviews with President-elect Obama and members of his inner circle.

Today, Michael Calderone of Politico writes about Brit Hume's swan song at Fox News. After the election, Mr. Hume, who joined the cable news network during its fledgling days back in 1996, will be significantly cutting back his duties, which currently include anchoring Special Report at 6 p.m., anchoring big political night coverage, and serving as the managing editor of the news division.

One fun moment from the piece: ABC News' Sam Donaldson, who is 74, questions why Mr. Hume, who is 65, would be winding things down.

From the article:

'What are these young kids like Brit Hume stepping down for?' asked veteran anchor Sam Donaldson, a former colleague at ABC (and nine years his senior). 'I think Brit's at the height of his power.'

Politico's Michael Calderone is reporting that Glenn Beck is jumping from CNN Headline News to Fox News.

Mr. Beck has hosted a daily show on the network since 2006. For Fox, he will be anchoring a 5 P.M. weekday show and a weekend program.

Mr. Calderone quotes a CNN spokesperson as saying, "Glenn has been a terrific employee and colleague to many of us at CNN... We wish him well."

Michael Calderone at Politico is reporting that Jon Landman is a top candidate for the chief editor job at The Washington Post, which is expected to be vacated sometime next year by Len Downie.

Landman apparently met with Downie last week, though the nature of the visit isn't clear. Landman sent Calderone an e-mail saying, "I won't confirm, deny or discuss."

O.K., but we will! Calderone reports that Landman now joins a short list of candidates that includes Newsweek's Jon Meacham, ex-Journal editor Marcus Brauchli, Post columnist David Ignatius and Post managing editor Philip Bennett.

 

Who says The Newseum, Washington D.C.'s interactive showcase for journalism and home to Ana Marie Cox's slippers (seriously) can't draw a crowd?  read more »

As the Observer's Michael Calderone reported in February, New York Magazine is moving to Hudson Squrae.

The Post reports this morning that the deal is done and the weekly mag will move to One Hudson Square.

- John Koblin

The Observer's crackerjack media reporter (and former Manhattan Transfers columnist) Michael Calderone this week reported on New York magazine's likely move from Midtown to (gasp!) Hudson Square.

"Our lease is up in September," said a New York spokesperson. "So we are exploring a number of different options for a space, including negotiating with our current landlords."

First on the list: 1 Hudson Square, in far west Soho, just up from the Holland Tunnel. (Note to staff: Is Jersey ... back? Wait--was it here the first time? Check archives!)

The Rosetta stone for deciphering Park Slope stroller mommies and Upper East Side Type-A's would join other media joints that have made a commercial home in the once-struggling Soho slice, including WNYC and CBS Radio; Viacom, too, plans a move to Hudson Square.

- Tom Acitelli

DO NOT POST

Boasting a wine cellar, four bedrooms, 4,000 square feet, and "zen defined" style, the third/fourth-floor duplex at 163 Charles Street has sold for nearly $6 million.

But the big money came only after big conflict. The very big, very glassy new townhouse condo had a formidable enemy in photographer Jan Staller, who lived nextdoor at 161 Charles. He spent a pretty penny trying to stave off construction at 163, as described by Michael Calderone in Manhattan Transfers.)

A big email announcing the sale is below. Mr. Staller probably isn't as thrilled as the duplex's listing broker, jolly Darren Sukenik.  read more »

-Max Abelson

Click for the Family

After receiving a brand new copy of New York's brand new Haute Living magazine, we spoke with publisher/owner Seth Semilof.

"There's no fluff in this," he said about the $7-an-issue magazine. Does he think most other real estate writing is fluffy? "It's a waste of time. It's basically editorial for advertisers. But when we write about the Zeckendorfs we really sit down with them," he said.

Indeed. The premiere issue profiles mega families like the Zecks, Tamir Sapir's spawn, and the Trumps.

Donald, the parent of the year, says of his clan: "They're terrific kids. And they have a great relationship with each other. I think I would be disappointed if they didn't." Strangely, son Eric was left off the cover shot.

Another highlight is a profile of Donny Deutsch: "Not only is he sexy, charming, brilliant and successful, he now is famous for his show on CNBC".

How does Mr. Semilof feel about the wider industry? "Print media is starting to become ineffective because most of it is garbage. But [Haute Living] is talking about the real meat and potatoes. New York, which is the number one market in the world, has never had anything like this."

He said his writers include "The Post's Dakota Smith, the Financial Times' head writer Julie Earle, and someone from The Times, but I can't divulge her name yet."

So stay tuned. And click here to read the magazine online, or click here for our earlier coverage.

- Max Abelson Note: The Observer's haute Michael Calderone has contributed to HL.  read more »

Number 11 [Curbed]

Yesterday, the folks at Curbed ran a breaking story on Lachlan Murdoch's old 11 Spring Street semi-palace.

A special Curbed correspondent reports this morning that the building is going condo, with construction to begin in about a month. The rumored buyer? Malcolm Stevenson by name, a man about which we know precious little (no thanks to Google).

We don't know much about Malcolm Stevenson either. But according to The Observer's Michael Calderone, we do know that Mr. Stevenson is not the buyer. Check out Mr. Calderone's July article here, which names developer Mona Gora as the lucky new owner of the 14,000-square-foot former horse stables.  read more »

So who is it: Mona or Malcolm? And why was there an electric candle glowing nightly in each of the building's 60 windows?

- Max Abelson

In September, New York Times "Big Deal" columnist William Neuman will be moving out of the real estate desk to report on transportation for the newspaper.

For the past two-and-a-half years, Neuman has written the weekly column, which follows the home buying proclivities of pampered movie stars and wealthy socialites.

"I'm a news guy," he told the Media Mob. "I now get to do a daily beat."

Before joining the Times, Neuman covered the federal courts and the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan for the New York Post.

Times rumor has reporter Josh Barbanel, who also covers real estate, taking over the "Big Deal" column after Neuman's departure. "It's not definite," Mr. Barbanel said.

-Michael Calderone

WEB HEDS: 07.19.06

Page One

Cover Story:

(a) Jason Horowitz  read more »

WEB HEDS: 07.19.06  

          Page One    read more »

 

Already tired of Le Cirque coverage, you say? Well, there is a lot more than just the red carpet sightings here! Tom McGeveran and Michael Calderone head up to One Beacon Court's 55th floor penthouse, marvel at the technocratic wonderland of Bloomberg LP headquarters, and head downstairs to a couple Le Cirque opening parties.

Matthew Schuerman discovers why New York's big developers have been giving their dough to an upstate Republican Congressman: it's all part of a strategy to make sure the one-seat-ride to J.F.K. Airport gets federal funding. And the Jivamukti yoga center has just opened around Union Square. Sting, Uma, and Russell are all hanging out there. They're eating odd things like "reality sandwiches" and "salvation salads."

Observer Real Estate reporter Michael Calderone writes about the legacy of Jane Jacobs in today's paper, and Brian Lehrer had an interesting discussion of Jacobs' enduring influence on planning this morning on WNYC. —Nicole Brydson  read more »

On April 13, the New York Observer's Manhattan Transfers columnist and ace real estate reporter Michael Calderone seized an empty desk in the Observer's bullpen. In what was an apparently bloodless takeover, Mr. Calderone resigned his long-term seat in what is commonly called "Bitch Alley," and commandeered the former desk of reporter Jessica Bruder, which has been vacant for some months.

Mr. Calderone was previously the only reporter to sit in the so-called "Bitch Alley," a row of desks in the center of the bullpen, often occupied by interns and fax machines. His new desk is a deservedly grand corner affair, with its own lamp.  read more »

This week, Mr. Calderone filed his first vacation request, which was for one day off. He has worked at the Observer since December, 2004. —Choire Sicha

Tensions are flaring on 14th Street, as the waiting time at Trader Joe's is now estimated at 20 minutes. Shortly before 2 p.m., an argument broke out over an alleged line-cutter.

One customer, who accused another of cutting, got very angry.

"Why don't you go to hell and get in line you fucking bitch?"

A crew member, wearing gigantic, plastic green glasses, came over to settle everyone down. All the free samples in the world of vegetable root chips are not going to smooth things over.

"It's definitely not like this is California," said a nearby customer.

Over at Whole Foods, things are relatively calm. The checkout line--which included celebrity shopper Michael Showalter--was comparatively shorter.  read more »

- Michael Calderone and Nicole Brydson Previous: Trader Joe's: By The Numbers Previous: Trader Joe's: Where are the Peanuts? Previous: Trader Joe's: Who Are These People? Previous: Trader Joe's: No Chuck Previous: Trader Joe's: Rival Gangs Previous: Trader Joe's: The Crew Previous: Trader Joe's: Morning Rush

Matthew Schuerman reads the coded conversations about what the Fulton Mall needs.

Michael Calderone profiles the 15 Upper East Side townhouses presently marketing for $20 million or more.  read more »

In Manhattan Transfers: Russell Simmons' beleaguered duplex in Tribeca--which has been on the market at different prices since before Sept. 11 when P. Diddy opted out--is offered for $7.2 million after another price drop. Also, Elia Kazan's widow sells their Carnegie Hill townhouse.

Matthew Schuerman and Michael Calderone trek up and down the High Line, and find some developers already cashing in. Very soon, Chelsea residents will bump into Frank Gehry, Robert Stern, and Andre Balazs (and maybe Uma)!

In Manhattan Transfers, Michael Calderone offers something for political junkies, sports fans, and those of use who haven’t given up on the Brat Pack: Andrew Rasiej buys in Soho, Warner Wolf put the Ice House behind him for the Upper West Side, and Andrew McCarthy sells his 161-year-townhouse.  read more »

The Transom faintly hears The Internationale playing over at Soho House as the workers rise up (2nd item).

Go into television! So learned our admirably flat-chested Michael Calderone when he talked to Barbara Corcoran about her new TV venture; she's got lots of ideas, and only one is an elimination contest among people who want to work in real estate! Just what kind of security plan is Goldman Sachs pressing for at Ground Zero? Matthew Schuerman finds that almost anything will do--as long as the squabbling and jurisdictional chaos among the state agenices, private security forces and local police and emergency workers can be quelled.  read more »

You may be seeing a lot more of Barbara Corcoran's face in the near future. Ms. Corcoran resigned today from her position as chairman of The Corcoran Group in order to embark on a new television venture called Barbara Corcoran Productions, The Real Estate has just learned. Her production company plans to produce network television content. Calls place to The Corcoran Group have not yet been returned.

The media-savvy founder of The Corcoran Group, who already pops up on the small screen regularly discussing the real estate world, is planning on making television her full-time job.  read more »

In the past few years, while still assuming a public role, Ms. Corcoran's daily responsibilities in the company have been reduced. Pamela Liebman serves are President and CEO, while the founder assumed the role as chairman in 2001. Her resignation is effective November 15, 2005.

-Michael Calderone

Matthew Schuerman talks to Ground Zero planner Daniel Libeskind about the Freedom Center. He's all for building it right there on the World Trade Center site, but will the Governor have to scrap his master plan to make nice with angry victims' families?

Michael Calderone talks to the "Boy-Eloise" of the Algonquin Hotel. He's trying to raise enough money to buy it out of contention for big, out-of-town real-estate investment firms and secure it's future as a--well, as a hotel-slash-historical tourist trap.  read more »

And, this is just dirty.

- Tom McGeveran

Ben takes a close look at the uncertain future of a mid-sized regional company called Pataki, Inc.

Michael Calderone and Matthew Schuerman examine whether Gary Barnett, who has his eye on some MTA property in Brooklyn, is just another spoiler, like Jim Dolan and the Jets. The short answer is no, but that doesn't mean he'll vanquish Bruce Ratner's longstanding plan to bring the Nets and Frank Gehry there instead.

Jason Horowitz ponders the role private institutions are playing in the city's efforts to prepare for a terrorist strike, thanks to an influx of federal funding.

Lizzy Ratner and I follow the money to some of the summer's swankiest campaign fund-raisers and find that, McCain-Feingold be damned, the old gorge-and-gouge tradition is still alive and well in the Hamptons.  read more »

And then I venture off to Williamsburg for a Quiet Disco, where all the dancers wear wireless headphones. This is not, of course, worth mention on a political blog, though I'll use it as a sample for the kind of sightings I hope you'll send me, like: "I saw Hilary Clinton dancing in wireless headphones."

In Manhattan Transfers, Michael Calderone reflects on Harvey Weinstein's real-estate misfortunes. Also: Is Rachel Weisz moving to Brooklyn, or the East Village? Matthew Schuerman gives us the lowdown on the strange dance steps required to make a developer and a community activist kiss--in public. And our newest reporter, Jason Horowitz, fresh from a long stint in Rome, has found a new way of reading the ambitions of New York's cultural institutions, by asking the question: Which architect did you hire--Frank Gehry or Renzo Piano?  read more »

"Where's Giff?" was the question heard most frequently in the press section at Sunday's conference at Columbia University, elaborately titled, "The Middle East & Academic Integrity on the American Campus," which was attended by the Observer's real estate correspondent Michael Calderone.

According to the event's erroneous program, Speaker Miller was listed as a speaker set to address the conference after a video-taped lecture from Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz. As the tape ended, Village Voice columnist Nat Hentoff — highly critical of President Bollinger's response — walked up to the lectern in front of about 250 attendees.

Two hours passed, and conference organizers were befuddled. According to his spokesperson, Giff was invited to the event, but never confirmed that he would speak. Around 5 p.m., Manny Behar, hired last spring as Giff's liaison to the Jewish community, read a statement on behalf of him that addressed academic freedom and a proposal for an independent investigation into anti-Semitism among the faculty signed by 35 of 51 City Council members. Here are excerpts from the statement:

"We at the City Council are very concerned about reports that that is not what is happening here at Columbia...

"But what we got back from President Bollinger was a letter that rejected our proposal for an independent investigation out of hand and that didn't even address the other issues we raised.

"We will no accept that as the final answer."

Earlier in the afternoon, Councilman David Weprin spoke to the crowd.

"Nestled in the middle of the country's largest and most diverse city—the city of New York—Columbia University has for a long time lived in fluctuating, ambivalent relation to the world outside....."  read more »

"Why, then, in this pluralistic city, flushed with so many different cultures, do we still find room for hate?"