[NYguy]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...357217484.html

Bridge Financing to Assist Fulton Street Development

August 4, 2013
Carmel Melouney

Plans for a $280 million luxury development in the Financial District near the new Fulton Center transportation hub have just received a cash injection.

Lightstone Group, a large closely held real-estate company, has just closed on a $43 million construction loan with Banco Inbursa SA for its Fulton Street project. The loan has a one-year term with two one-year extensions.

"This loan right now is an interim bridge loan until we start construction, then we'll get more construction financing," said Mitchell Hochberg, Lightstone's president.

The company has spent $76 million purchasing buildings and air rights so it can build a 58-story, 422,000-square-foot property on the south side of Fulton Street between Nassau and Dutch streets.

"We had the ability to aggregate and we thought it would be a very unique development."

This package includes 112 Fulton, 114 Fulton, 116 Fulton, 118 Fulton and 120 Fulton, and air rights to 41 John St., 43 John, 80 Nassau St., 86 Nassau, 88 Nassau, 15 Dutch St. and 122 Fulton. Mr. Hochberg said Lightstone closed on the majority of the property in December, with the remainder closing on June 13.

"We're big believers in the renaissance and the future of the Financial District with the completion on 1 World Trade Center and Condé Nast moving downtown, and the Fulton Street transit hub," said Mr. Hochberg. "It was very appealing to us. We were very focused on the Financial District, and we thought it was underserved by luxury residential."

Demolition of the existing buildings is expected to start in October, with construction commencing in February. Mr. Hochberg said construction would take two years.

When complete, the development will feature 475 luxury residential units with amenities including a 24-hour doorman, rooftop terrace and full fitness center. It will also have two floors of retail space with 18-foot finished ceiling heights totaling nearly 20,000 square feet.

In terms of retail tenants, Mr. Hochberg said Lightstone is talking to a number of companies, including both boutiques and chains. "We want them to fit with the apartments. Hopefully the retail and residential tenants will move in simultaneously," Mr. Hochberg said.

Latest permits (demo)...

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/Jo...ssdocnumber=01

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/Jo...ssdocnumber=01