MORNING BULLETIN: TWO BIG REAL ESTATE SALES, PROBING RECENT HAWK DEATHS

Photo by Martin Palmer from the 25th Floor of the Hotel Beacon.

August 3, 2012 Weather: Partly Cloudy, High of 90 Degrees (see air quality alert below).

Notices:
Among today’s events: free concerts, a scary midnight movie and a CD release party for an album of Free Music Friday performances at the Folk Art Museum. On our calendar.

“The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for New York City from 11:00 AM until 11:00 PM tonight. For more information please visit: https://1.usa.gov/NNxJS.”

News:
Trevi Retail, specializing in commercial real estate, has been buying a lot of property on the Upper West Side, most recently picking up two buildings on Amsterdam between 81st and 82nd Street on Thursday for $12.5 million ($4.4 million more than the previous owners had paid for the buildings just a year ago). One possible takeaway: the recent UWS rezoning legislation that limits the size of commercial storefronts doesn’t appear to be causing much concern among buyers of commercial real estate. At the very least the rezoning doesn’t seem to be reducing the value of property. (The Real Deal)

More luxury condos coming! “The Naftali Group, along with partner Praedium Group, has acquired four five-story residential buildings at 176-182 W. 82nd St., between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues, for $17 million, the developer confirmed. The developer plans to rehabilitate the properties and convert them into luxury condos.” First they need permission from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. All but 1 of the 20 apartments in the buildings now are vacant, says Crain’s. Condo sales will begin in 2014 and word is the apartments will be big.  (Crain’s)

Scalpers have been pouncing on Into the Woods tickets, which is a no-no. (Gothamist)

People upset about recent hawk deaths are pointing to rat traps near the Museum of Natural History — rats may have eaten the poison and then been eaten by the hawks. (DNAinfo)

A man convicted of stealing a flute from a Juilliard student at a local bar was sentenced to another month in jail and probation. (NY Post)