Deconstruct

In the latest episode of Deconstruct, hosts Lilah Burke and Hannah Kramer explain the battle to demolish a landmark church on the Upper West Side, close the loop on the verdict in the sex trafficking case against the Alexander brothers, and explain why development in Gowanus has boomed. Then, the hosts interview multifamily broker Lev Mavashev to find out who's buying New York City's devalued rent-stabilized building – and who isn't.

Oren and Tal Alexander were once among the highest echelon of luxury real estate brokers, rubbing elbows with celebrities and billionaires. For the last month we've seen them in the courthouse as they, along with Oren's twin brother Alon, stood trial on federal sex trafficking charges. TRD senior editor Ellen Cranley, who was on the team that broke the earliest allegations against the brothers in June of 2024, explained to Deconstruct's Lilah Burke and Hannah Kramer what the reporters have seen in the courtroom, breaking down the strategy for both the defense and prosecution and explaining what it all means for real estate. Plus, why the late Ivana Trump's townhouse took so long to sell, why Dish wireless is enraging landlords, and more.

In this episode of Deconstruct, hosts Hannah Kramer and Lilah Burke discuss the ongoing trial of the Alexander brothers, who face serious allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking. They also cover the fraud case against Nir Meir, the implications of high-end rental prices in New York City, and a deep dive into a complex mortgage fraud scheme affecting the market. The episode concludes with a look at ICE's controversial plans to convert industrial sites into detention centers and upcoming events in the real estate community.

Deconstruct is the only podcast that brings you all the news you need to know about real estate. Now back for a fifth season, hosts Lilah Burke and Hannah Kramer will ake you inside The Real Deal's newsroom to cover the biggest issues in New York City and real estate today. In the first episode, the hosts talk with reporter Jake Indursky, who sifted through the Epstein files to find out just how badly top real estate brokers wanted to get inside his Upper East Side townhouse. Then, an update on new mayor Zohran Mamdani's plan to freeze the rent, a quick look at mounting CMBS debt, and more.

Deconstruct is a weekly podcast. Look out for new episodes every Thursday at 3:00 PM.

President-elect Donald Trump's campaign promises look to be a mixed bag for commercial real estate. Extended tax cuts would be a boon for dealmaking; tariffs could spark inflation and push the Federal Reserve to throw the cutting cycle in reverse.

Deconstruct sits down with NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate Associate Dean Marc Norman and partners at Holland & Knight Joe Guay and Joel Roberson to parse the impact on investors and developers in 2025.

Do you have guests you want to hear from? Topics you want explored? Questions, feedback, critiques? Write to us with "Deconstruct" in the subject line @ [email protected].

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Matthew Mannion is auctioneer to the stars of New York City real estate. He handled the Flatiron Building's two-parter, the Times Square Margaritaville's flameout and most recently the UCC auction of Cohen Realty Enterprises' interest in a potpourri of assets.

As foreclosure filings keep ticking up, Mannion shares stories from the courthouse steps and the inside scoop on how auctions get done.

Arnaud Karsenti, the head of Miami-based 13th Floor Investments, has a whopping dozen multifamily projects underway in a city set to break another record for deliveries in 2024. Does Miami have the tenants to meet that supply? Karsenti talks in-migration, demand for housing near public transit and the pros and cons of public-private partnerships at The Real Deal's South Florida Real Estate Forum.

Ranches have long been at the beating heart of Texas — first, as working plots; then, as legacy land. During the pandemic, the properties acquired a new sheen, attracting city-weary Texans and would-be cowboys willing to spend tens of millions of dollars for some peace and quiet and peace of mind. Four years later, demand has come roaring back. TRD's Joe Lovinger talks with one of the state's prolific ranch brokers to find out what's drawing all of that dollar volume to the desert.

Election 2024 has been a wild ride for real estate. Housing stole the spotlight as an unlikely bipartisan issue, and the industry’s top donors are allotting dollars based on more than the business. As the nation readies for Tuesday’s vote, TRD Senior Reporter Kathryn Brenzel explains why an “unsexy” voter issue will drive votes, and who big names are backing.

In the latest episode of Deconstruct, TRD's Suzannah Cavanaugh finds out how loan specialists fix bad debt – or at least try to – by talking with loan workout specialists Rob Verrone and Job Warshaw of Iron Hound. Verrone works with sponsors to hash out modifications for distressed CMBS debt, and Warshaw brings perspective from the other side of the table — he spent three decades heading up negotiations for special servicer LNR Partners.