I'm making a prediction: While the real estate market in RL (real life) is cooling off, the real estate market in Second Life (SL) is heating up.
I was recently contacted via IM (instant message) by Elliot Eldrich. I interviewed Elliot several months ago for a feature-length article about urban planning in Second Life. (The article appeared in the January, 2007 issue of the American Planning Association's Planning magazine, but is now also available online.)
Real Estate
Miami's Downtown, Going Once, Twice?
Valued at more than $115 million during the boom, a prominent Hong Kong-based developer has bought the unbuilt Brickell CitiCentre development site for $41.3 million. Similar transactions are happening on other key properties in Miami's downtown.
Miami Herald
China's Mortgage 'Bailout'
Officials in China are moving to implement a handful of strategies to combat the housing slump, including tax breaks, smaller down-payment requirements and lower loan rates for first-time buyers.
The Wall St. Journal
How Much Is Green Worth?
A recent conference in Austin, Texas, of real estate appraisers explored how they should incorporate green-building techniques and features into their assessment of properties.
Austin Business Journal
The Incredible Shrinking Home
A new AIA report shows that new homes under construction are getting smaller in response to market forces.
AIArchitect
Tornado Clears Way for LEED Platinum Building
The 5-4-7 Arts Center in Greensburg, Kansas gets a LEED platinum designation- evidence that the town, which was 95% destroyed by a tornado in May, 2006, is making good on its sustainable rebuilding plan.
Kiowa County Singnal
Cash for Transit Drives Hudson Yards Plan
James S. Russell comments on the $1 billion deal to redevelop Hudson Yards, and finds the plan lacking in vision.
Bloomberg.com
Housing Bubble Goes Global
Housing markets around the world are beginning to feel the effects of the American mortgage crisis.
International Herald Tribune
Los Angeles' Brawl With Sprawl
Officials in Los Angeles were successful in implementing high-density growth policies to curb sprawl. However, a disconnect between culture, transportation policy, and the real estate market may have disastrous consequences.
The Economist
Spanish-style Waterfront Home On a Private Island: $28
Fri, 03/16/2007 - 11:05
Diminutive Offerings from a Grocery Store Giant: Will They Fill the Grocery Store Gap?
Wed, 02/28/2007 - 16:44
The impact of the urban grocery store gap, particularly on low-income communities, has been well documented. The presence of full-service grocery store can raise the economic value of surrounding property, serve as an anchor in commercial districts, provide an important source of jobs, and lower the daily cost of living for residents. In an era of skyrocketing obesity rates, public health research shows a strong correlation between the presence of a grocery store and the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
