PinnedLa Casa Nostra: A real estate storyAuthors Note: Below is the opening for a 12,000 word essay that I’ve written on real estate and New York City. I may keep it in essay form or turn it into my next book. But first, I wanted to share it exclusively, for a limited time, on Medium, and…New York8 min read
Apr 9, 2021Don’t Blame Water O’Malley. Blame Robert Moses.It was a cold spring day on April 9, 1913 when 10,000 fans came out to see the Brooklyn Dodgers take on the Philadelphia Phillies. While the home team lost that day (they were after all affectionately called “Dem Bums” for their notoriously losing ways), the stadium was a sight…Baseball3 min read
Mar 11, 2021A Problem with Urban Planning: What is Missing From This Picture?Spoiler Alert: Share your answer with me before reading the below! In 1939 over 44 million people attended The New York Worlds’ Fair. Among its most popular exhibits was Futurama. Sponsored by the auto industry, Futurama promised its guests a sneak peak at the city of the future. And inside…Urban Planning2 min read
Mar 1, 2021La Casa Nostra: An IntroductionThe following is an excerpt from my upcoming essay (and potential new book, “La Casa Nostra”). I have over 12,000 more words to release in the La Casa Nostra series. If you like this excerpt, please share it on your social networks. …Real Estate8 min read
Feb 24, 2021How to Fix NYCThink of New York City as a ballet. Right now, the City is at an intermission. During intermission, some people get restless and don’t come back for the next act. That is what’s happening now. People are chasseing for the exits and going straight to Florida, Connecticut or elsehwere. During…NYC2 min read
Feb 16, 2021La Casa Nostra: Fake MoneyThe following is an excerpt from my upcoming essay (and potential new book, “La Casa Nostra”). I have over 12,000 more words to release in the La Casa Nostra series. If you like this excerpt, please share it on your social networks. …Real Estate6 min read
Feb 14, 2021In the Darkest of Moments, New Yorkers Rolled Up Their Sleeves (Literally) to Save the City. They Are About To Do It Again.Isn’t this an incredible magazine cover? It may be over 45 years old, but it could appear today on the New York Magazine cover (ehhh, home page) and be just as culturally relevant. This image was overseen by the late-great Clay Felker. I had the privledge of knowing Clay in…Covid 192 min read
Feb 8, 2021The New Death of Robert MosesOn a particularly warm summer day in July of 1981, Robert Moses died in a Long Island hospital. He was 92 years-old. The next day, his obituary appeared on the front page of The New York Times. “Robert Moses, Master Builder, Is Dead at 92,” the paper declared. …NYC3 min read
Jan 30, 202188 Years Ago Today, Adolf Hilter Took PowerAfter Losing The Popular Vote in the 1932 Elections. Sound Familiar?The election results appeared at first to be a setback for the upstart candidate. Dismissed as a blow-hard and a rabble-rouser, many refused to take him seriously. Others came to his defense and argued that you shouldn’t take him ‘literally.’ Political leaders felt he could be contained and that even…Democracy3 min read
Dec 13, 2020The Eagle has landedIt might not be as dramatic as the lunar landing of 1969, but the 2020 version of it is just as significant. Who would have ever imagined…Covid 191 min readThe Eagle has landed----