Finance

IPD Seminar: CRE Recovery Also Depends on Jobs

Now that the economy is chugging along, will employers start hiring enough workers to put the millions of Americans who lost their jobs in the wake of the Panic of 2008 back to work? Probably, but indications are that labor will continue to see a slow recovery — the slowest, in fact, in modern times.

ING Divests CRE Holdings

ING is making major moves in its quest to decrease its presence in the commercial real estate market. The company has entered into an agreement to sell the majority of its ING Real Estate Investment Management business to CB Richard Ellis Group Inc., and in a separate agreement the company committed to sell Clarion Partners to Lightyear and Clarion Partners management.

Vornado Secures $150M in Financing

Many office asset owners are scrambling to refinance or restructure debt as maturities approach. However, Vornado Realty Trust is in no such position as it closes financing for its 506,000-square-foot office property at 2121 Crystal Drive in Arlington, Va.

Economy Watch: Whither Fannie and Freddie?

It’s a radical notion: no more Fannie and no more Freddie. Can it happen? Should it?

Q&A with Shekar Narasimhan: Government and Real Estate

Beekman Advisors managing partner Shekar Narasimhan spoke with editor-in-chief Suzann D. Silverman about the real estate and real estate finance markets. Here are his thoughts on government policy and real estate.

White House Presents Housing Finance Reform

The U.S. Congress is now in receipt of a long-awaited report by the Obama administration on a plan for reforming the country’s housing finance market. The crux of the plan is to wind down government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and decrease the federal government’s role in housing finance.

SPECIAL REPORT: MBA Bullish on Economic Growth

The Mortgage Bankers Association issued positive assessments of the economy, job creation and financing activity during the annual MBA Commercial Real Estate Finance/Multifamily Housing Convention & Expo.

Building the Firm of the Future

Beekman Advisors managing partner Shekar Narasimhan spoke with editor-in-chief Suzann D. Silverman about the real estate and real estate finance markets.

SPECIAL REPORT: Turning Point in CRE

Speaking at the opening session of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Commercial Real Estate Finance/Multifamily Housing Convention & Expo, panelists expressed optimism, but suggested there remain significant weaknesses in the sector.

Strategic Hotels Brings in Blackstone to Help Recap San Diego’s Famed Hotel del Coronado

The arrangement, which gives Blackstone a 60 percent ownership stake in the celebrated luxury waterfront hotel, was a timely one, as a loan secured by the property had been scheduled to mature this month.