Thursday, April 26, 2007
Sunday walking tours of Flatiron
Architecture fans and history buffs will appreciate that the The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership is sponsoring free walking tours of the historic Flatiron district every Sunday starting April 29th. Professional guides will escort you on a 90-minute journey through this vibrant area, near where my home office is located on 19th and Sixth, viewing some of the City’s notable landmarks, including the New York Life building, the MetLife tower, the Appellate Courthouse and the famous Flatiron Building. The meeting point is the southwest corner of Madison Square Park, at 23rd Street and Broadway on Sunday's at 11 AM.
related story: finally flatiron
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I was researching the downtown market this week and looked at the spreadsheet data that the first quarter Corcoran Report, which I posted last week, was based on. It had some greater detail that I'd like to share with you regarding my own neighborhood of Tribeca. Homes solidly increased here by a 17% average sale price per square foot. The median price (the price most people pay for an apartment) is up 9%; and price per square foot is up 12%. Tribeca value has played well when compared to the flat average downtown sale, which was up by a mere 3%. 
Troubles in the subprime mortgage industry seem to be spreading. The stock market is in turmoil. Alan Greenspan and other economists say the economy is being hurt. Consumer groups predict that up to two million Americans will lose their homes.
This is one of the most creative visualizations I've seen regarding US home prices adjusted for inflation. Richard Hodge is responsible for this animated rollercoaster model, which graphs home values since 1890, based on figures developed by Yale Economist Robert Schiller. It's housing data as theatre. Only this time, instead of the sky falling, its you in the roller-coaster's seat (errr...almost). Strap in! 
