Howard Rubenstein
Rubenstein on the Mayor and Lauder Exceptionalism
Michael Bloomberg’s deference to cosmetics heir Ron Lauder on the issue of term limits is striking, considering that Lauder has never actually been a public elected official. Lauder's involvement -- and apparently, his right to have an outsized say in the city's position on the matter going forward -- is based entirely on the fact that he has a significant personal fortune to back up his advocacy. read more »
Arnold's New York Money
Michael Bloomberg made a hefty contribution towards Arnold Schwarzenegger's effort to get legislative redistricting in California.
But some other notable New Yorkers have opened up their wallets and given to another Schwarzenegger venture: his campaign committee. That's according to a financial report posted yesterday for Governor Schwarzenegger’s California Dream Team: read more »
Rudy's Big Donors: Howard Rubenstein, Brian Cashman, Vera Wang, More
While the Rudy filing may lack donations from the blockbuster Hollywood-type stars that one might find giving to a Democrat like Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, there are a number of names that are, for various reasons, worth noting. read more »
The Rubenstein Family
Is Howard Rubenstein Against Rudy Giuliani?
Howard Rubenstein, who represents the New York Post, also represents the Former Special Agents of the FBI. (He also works with the New York F.B.I. office— Mr. Rubenstein has also been identified in the press as a "Kushner family spokesman." Jared Kushner is the owner of the New York Observer.)
The Chocolate War (on Park Ave.)
Don't be a hater, Harry.
The argument revolves around Fauchon's retail space in the Drake Hotel, which Mr. Macklowe purchased last month for over $418 million, and now reportedly plans to demolish to building a luxury apartment building.
Fauchon, which occupied the only storefront in the Drake, had more than a decade left on its lease. But Mr. Macklowe made clear that he wanted to clear the building. Early this month, he paid Fauchon $4 million to shorten its lease. Fauchon expected to remain there until April 2007, doing business as usual.Both sides are now at odds over a variety of issues: air-conditioning, bathrooms, and hanging decorative flags on the building's exterior. But why dwell those petty matters? The more probing question seems to be whether Mr. Macklowe likes chocolate or not. Seriously!
As for whether Mr. Macklowe is a chocolate lover or a chocolate hater, the lawyer who represented him in court, Richard Claman, would not say. He referred a reporter to a spokesman for Mr. Macklowe, Howard J. Rubenstein, who said he did not know, either, but promised to put the question to him. read more » Mr. Rubenstein called back a few minutes later and said: "When I started asking him about chocolate, he started talking to me about French fries. He wouldn't talk about chocolate."- Michael Calderone
The Developers Strike Back
"There are significant new elements, which differ substantially from prior negotiations. For example, we are concerned by provisions that would allow the Port Authority to walk away at any time from now until September if it feels that the demands it has made of other government entities, and that are completely out of Silverstein's control, are not being met."
Equally intriguing is the Real Estate Board of New York's take, as printed in Crain's:
One provision would hold developer Larry Silverstein, who owns the lease for the 16-acre site, in default if he fails to build all 5.9 million square feet of office space. While he would not lose control of the buildings, he would not be allowed to earn any profit or a development fee.Especially if Silverstein would be considered in default if he failed to build everything--10 million square feet--in the next six years. And where, exactly, are those 10 million square feet of tenants going to come from? -Matthew Schuerman"It is an unusual provision and depending on its language, it could be a serious problem," says Steven Spinola, the president of the Real Estate Board of New York.
