Category Archives: Buildings

Imam Feisal Abdul Raif is leading the Ground Zero mosque building efforts

Park51 to Allow US Government Sign Off On Donations

Imam Feisal Abdul Raif is leading the Ground Zero mosque building efforts
Imam Feisal Abdul Raif is leading the Ground Zero mosque building efforts

The Imam behind the Park51 development hopes that opening his books will open hearts for his Islamic community center.

In an effort to bolster fundraising and ease any suspicion towards the $100 million dollar price tag for the Park51 Islamic community center, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf has allowed the US Government to sign off on all donations made to the development.

Also, according to a report in today’s New York Post, Rauf stated that “the mosque and Islamic cultural center will have a board of directors that will include Muslims, Christians and Jews.” This may be seen as yet another olive branch towards easing dissent towards building a mosque and islamic center near Ground Zero.

The inclusion of an inter-faith board of directors might have been in response to Julie Menin, Chairwoman of Community Board 1’s open column in the Daily News calling for a revised interfaith plan for the Park51 development. In that column Menin states, “I believe it is still possible to bridge the gap without compromising the core principles of what this project is about — not by moving the mosque further away from the site of the attacks, but by bringing other faiths in.”

How do you feel about the US Government being allowed to sign off on all donations made to the Park51 development?

Hisham Elzanaty

Park51 Developer Promises to Build Mosque

Hisham Elzanaty
Hisham Elzanaty

Hisham Elzanaty, the developer and single largest investor in the Park51 Islamic community center vows to move forward with developing a mosque near Ground Zero.

Elzanaty has received national attention in previous weeks after receiving two offers to buy out his stakes in the development from both Donald Trump and the World Chess Federation.

Having spoken only through his attorney, Elzanaty has broke his silence admitting that the mosque was indeed his idea and that he “felt it was a great place for people to pray” and that he “didn’t expect this commotion, this hate, this anger,” according a report from the Daily News.

According to the same article, Elzanaty’s parents were victims of the EgyptAir crash in 1999 and could relate to the plights of 9/11 families having been personally affected by a terrorist attack. “I am one of them. I lived this two years before they did. I will never do anything to harm America.”

Fox 5 News in New York did an exclusive interview with Elzanaty below:

Ground Zero Mosque

World Chess Federation Checks Trump’s Offer

Ground Zero Mosque
The planned location of the Park51 Community Center

Checks are flying in the offers to buy out Park51 investors.

This time The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has offered to make a bid to purchase the site where the projected Park51 Islamic community center is slated for development.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has sent formal letters on behalf of the FIDE to Mayor Bloomberg.

According to the Montreal Gazette, “We named the sum of 10 million dollars because last week billionaire Donald Trump gave an offer of 7.5 million dollars and we decided to outdo him.”

The intent of the organization is to build a complex completely dedicated to chess, being dubbed “Chess City.” Very strategic moves indeed.

101 Warren Street apartments up for U.S. Marshall Auction

Marshall Auction of Area Condos

101 Warren Street apartments up for U.S. Marshall Auction
101 Warren Street apartments up for U.S. Marshall Auction

Some say, one man’s forfeiture may be another man’s fortune — or something like that.

On a completely unrelated search for Anne Hathaway’s jewels on auction, we inadvertently found plots of real estate in our area on the auction block as well.

Not one, but two condo apartments at 101 Warren Street are part of the U.S. Marshall’s auction of properties. The stated reason for both is “Forfeiture.” We can’t help but imagine that perhaps this might be related to our resident sexy Russian spy neighbor Anna Chapman. Or it could just be two separate instances of bad people buying great real estate and getting caught on the wrong side of the law.

The first listing is for Unit 1540 ID#: USM288946
A 2-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom apartment listed at $2.7 million dollars boasting 1,592 square feet.

The other listing is another 2-bedroom apartment with 3 bathrooms listed at $3.3 million dollars with nearly 2,114 square feet.

Being that the apartment building is relatively new, and there is only one unit left on the building’s official website, this could be a great steal it would be a crime to leave these apartments on the market.

To learn more about how you can bid on these apartments, check out the links below:

http://supplier.lpsaltitude.com/PropSearch/Details.aspx?id=193963

http://supplier.lpsaltitude.com/PropSearch/Details.aspx?id=193963

Donald Trump places a bid to purchase the Park51 site.

Donald Trump: “My Offer Is Still On the Table”

Donald Trump places a bid to purchase the Park51 site.
Donald Trump places a bid to purchase the Park51 site.

It seems we havent heard the last from Donald Trump in regards to his bid to buy the Park51 site.

Although the purported majority stakeholder, Hisham Elzanaty rebuffed Trump’s bid to buy out his stake last week — Trump made a nationwide concession on the Today Show that his deal is still on the table.

Trump offered the bid but also made a backhanded insult to our area, stipulating that his bid was not because he “the location was a spectacular one (because it is not).”

While touting a new season of “The Apprentice,” Trump explained the motivation behind his bid. “I’ve seen the turmoil downtown and it’s going to get worse. This is a small time developer who is really into it for the money.”

In response to Trump’s offer, Elzanaty’s lawyer called the bid, “just a cheap attempt to get publicity and get in the limelight.”

“There won’t be a mosque.” Trump went on to elaborate, “This is a small time developer who is really into it for the money. He hasn’t said yes — but in my opinion, he’s going to sell.”

Trump then went on to admit, “But what do I know about real estate?”

Future renditions of the World Trade Center

FUTURE: A Glimpse into the new World Trade Center

Future renditions of the World Tradde Center
The Future World Trade Center Site (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

As we remember what happened to our community and nation as a whole in the past, we look forward to the future of our neighborhood. Through the stunning renditions offered by Silverstein Properties, we are offered a glimpse into what our neighborhood will be when the World Trade Center site is completed.

See more views by clicking on the links below:


New World Trade Center by Day

New Downtown Skyline by Day

New World Trade Center View Looking South

New World Trade Center View Looking South at Dusk

World Trade Center Site at Night

World Trade Center Site from Midtown (Sepia)

New Downtown Skyline by Night

*Images Courtesy of Silverstein Properties

New Downtown Skyline by Night (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

FUTURE: New Downtown Skyline at Night

New Downtown Skyline by Night  (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)
New Downtown Skyline by Night (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

See more views by clicking on the links below:

New World Trade Center by Day

New Downtown Skyline by Day

New World Trade Center View Looking South

New World Trade Center View Looking South at Dusk

World Trade Center Site at Night

World Trade Center Site from Midtown (Sepia)

New Downtown Skyline by Night

*Images Courtesy of Silverstein Properties

World Trade Center Site from Midtown (Sepia) (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

FUTURE: World Trade Center Site from Midtown (Sepia)

World Trade Center Site from Midtown (Sepia) (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)
World Trade Center Site from Midtown (Sepia) (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

See more views by clicking on the links below:

New World Trade Center by Day

New Downtown Skyline by Day

New World Trade Center View Looking South

New World Trade Center View Looking South at Dusk

World Trade Center Site at Night

World Trade Center Site from Midtown (Sepia)

New Downtown Skyline by Night

*Images Courtesy of Silverstein Properties

World Trade Center Site at Night (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

FUTURE: World Trade Center Site at Night

World Trade Center Site at Night (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)
World Trade Center Site at Night (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

See more views by clicking on the links below:

New World Trade Center Skyline by Day

New World Trade Center by Day

New Downtown Skyline by Day

New World Trade Center View Looking South

New World Trade Center View Looking South at Dusk

World Trade Center Site at Night

World Trade Center Site from Midtown (Sepia)

New Downtown Skyline by Night

*Images Courtesy of Silverstein Properties

*Images Courtesy of Silverstein Properties

New World Trade Center View Looking South at Dusk (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

FUTURE: New World Trade Center View Looking South at Dusk

New World Trade Center View Looking South at Dusk (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)
New World Trade Center View Looking South at Dusk (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

See more views by clicking on the links below:

New World Trade Center Skyline by Day

New World Trade Center by Day

New Downtown Skyline by Day

New World Trade Center View Looking South

New World Trade Center View Looking South at Dusk

World Trade Center Site at Night

World Trade Center Site from Midtown (Sepia)

New Downtown Skyline by Night

*Images Courtesy of Silverstein Properties