Research & Publications
New & Recent Publications
New & Recent Publications
To view, download or print a publication below, click on the appropriate image, and the corresponding pdf file will open.
The Asset Management FRAMEWORK: Part 2 of 3
Asset management is a well-established concept in infrastructure, utilities, and heavy industry. Asset management activities in these sectors have produced a sound set of business processes and procedures, educational programs, products, and services that can be translated to the commercial real estate sector. The development of a broad international standard will further enhance the tools and services available to all sectors. Furthermore, the ISO management systems approach provides a solid foundation for asset management, whether or not an organization decides to register under an ISO Standard. Accordingly, asset management is a permanent organizational function, which requires a life-cycle view of physical assets as well as a strategic perspective. Because most of an organization's energy use and environmental impacts flow through its physical assets, asset management also provides an ideal framework for addressing these issues, along with increasingly important security concerns.
The New Asset Management Paradigm: Part 1 of 3
The high level question is: how can physical assets be best used to meet organizational objectives? The answer requires a fresh look at what the organization owns, why it was acquired, what condition it is in, where it is located and what opportunities it provides or risks it entails. This process will uncover synergies among assets and among actions on these assets. It will also provide an additional method of measuring organizational performance through asset performance. This new view is well supported by advances in the breadth, depth and quality of asset data available and in the tools for data management, analysis and decision-making. It is also supported by advances in business process, control and automation, which allow for efficient implementation of asset management decisions.
Building Information Modeling: Enabling Smart Design, Construction & Facilities Management
As a suite of process tools, Building Information Modeling (BIM) creates a new level of transparency for project stakeholders. It enables waste reduction and improves profitability. It allows valuable project information to adhere to project objectives and creates a reporting mechanism for those who need project information. Benefits include a planning basis for planners, a go/no-go platform-assessment system for decision makers and a single collection point for all data that a project generates. Energy use, LEED compliance, facilities management, project personnel and numerous other goals can be managed effectively through an intelligent application of BIM. With a comprehensive Facilities Management (FM) package, one can quickly access project information that once required hours of searching through records. If FM involvement occurs early in a project, and its interests are coupled with the best tools on the market, BIM can play an indispensable role in improving the FM process and maximizing a project’s lifetime value.
The Upper Tier
The purpose of this white paper is to promote the continued consideration of the upper tier as a value-added attribute of New York City real estate. The High Line, which runs from Gansevoort Street at the south end near 12th Street to 30th Street at the north, will run north to 34th Street when its third and final phase is opened to the public. An upper tier offers notable features that give it a unique identity including: separation from traffic, aesthetics, security, accessibility and services integration. This white paper, in conjunction with the lessons learned from the upper tier, can encourage new urban design considerations in New York City and perhaps provide valuable inspirations for cities and towns worldwide.
A Comparative Analysis of the Notable REIT-owned Manhattan Office Properties & Portfolios
Real estate is typically a privately-owned asset, making it difficult or impossible to obtain detailed information about a property’s occupancy, rents, and operating income. However, nearly 20% of Manhattan’s Class A office space is controlled by four REITs that are required to publicly disclose this information. Presented in this unique research whitepaper is an in-depth look at these REIT-controlled holdings, including estimated valuations and recent transactions. Additionally, the REIT performance is contrasted with that of the overall Manhattan office market for a comparative analysis.
The Impact of Distressed Real Estate Loans on CMBS Performance
As real estate prices adjust to new market conditions, including lower rents and occupancy, the commercial mortgage market is impacted by stricter underwriting standards and limited financing. When a New York office building's mortgage was sold to an investor, it shortened the life of the Commercial Mortgage Backed Security (CMBS) bond, reducing the bond’s value. In addition, foreclosed real estate also generates significant prepayment risk to bond investors. Real estate investors, bond portfolio managers, and those interested in understanding securitized financing will all benefit by reading this paper.
The MoMA Complex's Tower Verre
The zoning approval process for the Tower Verre, the latest addition of a building on the Museum of Modern Art’s complex, took place in 2009. The museum, along with the internationally renowned architect, Jean Nouvel, and the project’s developer, Hines Interests, requested project approval for the tower. The West 54-55 Street Block Association, representing residents in the West Fifties between Fifth Avenue and the Avenue of the Americas, sought a height reduction in the 1250-foot planned building. In response, Nouvel asked, "Why is Manhattan, of all places, afraid of heights?"
Banking on The Future Post Conference Report
The Banking on the Future conference served as a platform to bring together notable experts and thought leaders to broadly examine concepts related to national, regional and state infrastructure banks. This report summarizes conference proceedings, reviews selected infrastructure bank and finance models that have already been implemented in areas around the world, and sets forth several solution-oriented recommendations to help continue the conversation on rebuilding and expanding infrastructure in New York City, New York State and the United States.
The Waterfront
Brooklyn has evolved like many older industrialized areas within and outside of New York City. To prepare for the future, it needs to continue to evaluate the deployment of its infrastructure and existing land use in an effort to understand if it is prepared to support current and future development. The area definitely has components of its economic capacity and urban design that are significantly underutilized, as well as regions with high levels of congestion, activity and growth. Some existing levels of activity are linked to actual competitive advantages, such as location, weather or access to labor. The state of the waterfront in Brooklyn has much to teach us about the structural transformations that occur in modern urban regions.
