Manhattan Real Estate

“The China Center will be a gateway for Chinese corporations doing business in the U.S. or U.S. companies that want to understand the Chinese culture and do business there,” said Xue Ya, project director for the China Center.

The Freedom Tower, which will rise 1,776 feet, or 551 meters, when its antenna mast is included, is the first of four towers to be built at the site, which covers 16 acres, or 6.5 hectares. The federal and state governments have agreed to lease a total of one million square feet, or 92,900 square meters, although neither one has signed a formal lease yet.

“We’re working hard to get this tower built, and we’re also looking to attract world-class tenants to occupy it,” said Christopher Ward, the Port Authority’s chief executive. “This interest from Vantone will help us build excitement as we aggressively market this building to other prospective public- and private-sector tenants.”

The Partnership for New York City, a business policy and advocacy group, has long supported the creation of the 189,000-square-foot China Center and has agreed to invest up to $5 million in what will be a $90 million project.

“Establishing the China Center is probably the most important action we can take in support of our international trade relations for the city and the state,” said Kathryn Wylde, president of the partnership. “We see this as a way of assuring that New York City businesses develop a primary relationship with the emerging economy of China. This has been an area of competition with other world cities. We want to nail it down for New York.”

More than two years ago, Vantone announced its intention to lease space at the top of 7 World Trade Center, with the support of state and city officials. But the deal unraveled when Vantone was a few days late in posting a $45 million letter of credit.

In any event, Vantone moved on to 195 Broadway, New York, but backed out at the last minute. The company said that it had always wanted to move to the Freedom Tower, and that given the cost of the project, it was unwise to build a temporary home at 195 Broadway. Vantone’s annual rent will start at about $80 per square foot, about $30 more than what it had negotiated at 7 World Trade Center.

There are so many different perks to living in New York City : the culture, the restaurants, the education and of course, the music. Music is everywhere, and not just one type, but all genres. No matter what type of music you like, you can find it in the city and in a number of different settings.

If you are looking to spend a night on the town and hear some great music, that is not a problem in New York. There are plenty of bars, clubs, and lounges throughout the city that feature live musicians. Try going downtown to the Knitting Factory where you’ll find indie-rock bands, jazz groups, and plenty of local bands on the rise. For a different type of music, check out the BB King Blues Club in Times Square. Of course, those are just two examples. There are music bars all over the Big Apple.

There are always big name concerts in NYC, and there are plenty of venues to host them. Concerts are always held in venues such as Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall. Each year these halls, as well as many others, host a number of different concerts. Check out their schedules to see if anything interests you.

Less-formal concerts can also be found all over. On a nice day, take a walk through Central Park or Washington Square Park, and you are bound to find someone singing or playing an instrument. You can even find music when you are riding the subway. Musicians are always set up in the subway stations. Sometimes these little concerts are the best ones.

As much as New York is a great place to enjoy music, it is also a great place to learn music. There are a number of music schools in NYC, including some of the most prestigious in the world. With all the great schools and the endless opportunities, music students should want to be nowhere else.

For a less formal music education, spend a day at one of the Big Apple’s many museums that feature musical displays. There is the Museum of Television and Radio and the Dia Center for the Arts to name a few.

A completely different way to celebrate music in NYC is to visit the John Lennon Memorial in Central Park. This memorial, known as Strawberry Fields, is 2.5 acres landscaped in memory of John Lennon. The memorial is a mosaic with the word, “Imagine” in the middle and a peace sign made of flowers. It is located on Central Park West at West 72^nd Street directly across from where John Lennon lived and was murdered.

No matter what type of music you chose to listen to, you can find it in New York City. No matter how you chose to enjoy your music, you can find it in New York City. Manhattan is full of music, and that is just one of the many benefits to being here.

Friday June 6th
      Tribeca Community Fair
              (on Murray St. from Broadway – Church Street)

Saturday June 7th
      Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood – 2nd Avenue Fair
              (on Second Avenue from 14th – 23rd Street)

Sunday June 8th
      N.Y.C. Expo
              (on 3rd Avenue from 23rd – 34th Street)