1) The Blackstone Group managing director who bought the last three remaining apartments in the Trump World Tower near the UN for $34.3 million has gone back to the ATM. Chinh E. Chu wants more, so he is purchasing 1,200-square-feet of roof space for an additional $5 million. Things that are terrifying: private roof decks 70 floors the street. [Big Deal/Josh Barbanel]
2) The rising costs of real estate taxes, insurance, payroll, fuel, water and sewers mean that the old standard of $1 in maintenance fees for every square foot of living space is long gone. Over the past five years, Manhattan co-op maintenance fees are up 30%, and condo fees are up 38%. ['Maintenance Fees: Up, Up, Up'/Teri Karush Rogers]
3) The historic and lovely strip of rowhouses in Bed-Stuy on Agate Court are now being messed with because of a developer's shenanigans in the backyard. Will a landmarking come to the rescue? [Streetscapes/Christopher Gray]
4) Roosevelt Islanders are actually trying to have a say in matters regarding their silly little island. Democracy-loving hippies! [The City/Alex Mindlin]
5) After flirting with East Williamsburg and Bushwick but experiencing disappointment in what $400,000 will get you, a couple of green real estate rookies decide to head to the land of shattered dreams: Jersey City. Said one gentleman of his first trip to JC, "People were actually smiling and saying hi. A lady asked if I was lost and needed help. It seemed so sweet." [The Hunt/Joyce Cohen]
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