Veronica Grecu
Veronica Grecu is a senior creative writer and researcher for RentCafe. With more than 10 years of experience in the real estate industry, she covers a variety of topics in residential and commercial real estate, including trends and industry news. Previously, she was involved in producing content for Multi-Housing News, Commercial Property Executive and Yardi Matrix. Veronica’s academic background includes a B.A. in Applied Modern Languages and an M.A. in Advertising and PR.
The Pontch Reopens as New Crowne Plaza Hotel
It’s been more than one year since Gabriel Ruiz, a developer and hotel investor based in Mexico, purchased Detroit’s historic Pontchartrain Hotel, affectionately referred to as “The Pontch” by Detroiters. Located at 2 Washington Boulevard on the former Fort Pontchartrain site—Detroit’s first permanent European settlement built in 1701—and across from the Cobo Center, the 25-story building designed in 1965 by King + Lewis Architects last operated as the Detroit Riverside Hotel.
Harvard Details 10-Year Master Plan for Development in Allston
Harvard University’s six-year effort to map out an expansion of its campus in Allston is finally starting to move forward. Though it’s a far cry from the 50-year, 10 million-square-foot proposal that was originally filed back in 2007 before the economy hit the downward spiral, Harvard’s scaled down plan is still impressive.
Alloy, Monadnock Selected for Mixed-Use Project in DUMBO
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Board of Directors has selected a development team to design and create a 12-story mixed-use building located at 1 John Street in DUMBO, while expanding the parkland area into the northern portion of the park and improving pedestrian access.
PHL Terminal F Renovation Generates 300 New Jobs
Terminal F, one of the busiest terminals at the Philadelphia International Airport, is in the final stages of a $127 million, multi-year renovation and expansion project that aims to enhance passenger services, facilities and airline operations.
McCormack Baron Salazar Plans $60M Mixed Use Project on Detroit’s East Riverfront
McCormack Baron Salazar, a St. Louis-based developer specialized in urban market revitalization, plans to add almost 300 rental units and small-scale retail space on Detroit’s east riverfront, along Atwater and Franklin streets.
Two Roaring 20s Landmarks Reinvented as Hollywood Studio, Event Space
Yes, you got that right! Hollywood! The Big Apple will soon have its first and only outdoor studio set on 36th Street between 34th and 35th Avenues in Astoria. Kaufman Astoria Studios, a historic film and media production facility that was established more than 90 years ago as Paramount’s east coast production arm, is looking to expand and bring a little bit of that Hollywood magic in this section of Queens.
JV to Build 300,000 Sq. Ft. Mixed-Use Complex in Forest Hills
Forest Hills Arborway, LLC, a joint venture between Beacon Hill-based The Brennan Group and real estate development and investment firm John M. Corcoran Company plans to create a 300,000-square-foot residential and commercial complex in Jamaica Plain’s Forest Hills area. The development team filed this week a Project Notification Form with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA).
Radnor Property Group to Move Forward with 25-Story Mixed-Use Tower Project
A controversial development project spearheaded by Radnor Property Group has finally received the green light for construction from the Historical Commission’s architectural committee.
Historic Ford Plant in Highland Park to Become Automobile Heritage Destination
It finally happened: after years of fighting the massive loss of population and industrial and economic distress, Detroit filed for bankruptcy protection last week. Most voices agree that it was bound to happen but it remains to be seen how this historic decision will help the city regain its lost glory.
The Queens Museum of Art to Reopen in October, Twice as Large
After more than two years of extensive renovations and a $68 million investment, The Queens Museum of Art will reopen on October 11 as one of the most refined museums in the country, bringing new technology and expanded exhibition space to accommodate the institution’s growing collection.