Business Specialties Technology
Green Masonry Preservative Announced
May 14, 2008

Cathedral Stone Products has announced its masonry preservation with no volatile organic compounds-- R-97 Water Repellent. It conforms to all volatile organic compound regulations that continue to tighten and vary by city and state across the United States. California, New York and Utah are among those states with the strictest low-VOC requirements. R-97 is formulated to create a coating that changes the capillary force of the pores in masonry from positive to negative. Unlike water repellents containing siloxane or silane, R-97 can be applied three days (as opposed to 28 days) after new work on a building’s surface is complete. R-97 is non-flammable, odorless, and it can be applied in a single application.

 
Recent Technology Headlines
card First U.S. Wooden Key Cards to Debut in Denver at Democratic National Convention
Aug. 22, 2008
At the Democratic National Convention in Denver this year, "green" key cards will be used in Denver hotel rooms--their debut in this country, according to Sustainable Cards and their manufacturer CPI Card Group. More than 70,000 biodegradable cards will be issued and used in area hotels.
Mixed-Use Project Housing Fireman’s Fund Aims for Carbon Neutrality in 10 Years
Aug. 13, 2008
American Assets Inc. has revealed plans for The Commons at Mount Burdell, a green mixed-use project on a 65-acre site in Novato, Calif., about 30 miles north of San Francisco. According to the San Diego-based real estate company's calculations, the 1.5 million-square-foot development and redevelopment endeavor will be able to achieve carbon neutrality within a 10-year period. The Commons will evolve on the site of a Class A office complex on San Marin Drive. Home to the headquarters of the Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., American Assets acquired the property last year and will incorporate the existing buildings into the project. Ultimately, The Commons will encompass 800,000 square feet of new development that will include a premier hotel, retail space, meeting venues, a fitness facility and daycare accommodations. Additionally, 710,000 square feet of existing space will undergo renovation.
'New Generation' of Synthetic Ice Gains Popularity
Aug. 07, 2008
On a planet that’s getting gradually warmer, it could be one of the coolest, slickest recreational amenities, and although it’s white, it’s also quite green.
Nation’s Bridge Infrastructure Still Shaky One Year After I-35 Collapse in Minnesota
Aug. 04, 2008
Just one year after the catastrophic collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minnesota, it isn’t a matter of whether another bridge will crumble, but when, according to an infrastructure expert. The danger goes beyond the mere safety of individuals traveling on that bridge, but also to the infrastructure of the nation’s business environment, too. “Infrastructure is the backbone of our whole commercial world. It keeps us competitive around the globe by moving products and people safely,” Barry B. LePatner, founder of the New York City-based law firm LePatner & Associates L.L.P., which advises on business and legal issues affecting real estate, design, and construction industries, as well as the author of Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America 's Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry, told CPN.
 

 

Equity Residential Gets $550M Loan
August 28, 2008
By Barbra Murray, Contributing Editor -- Chicago-based Equity Residential Inc. has closed on $550 million in financing, putting up 15 of its multi-family properties as collateral. Originated by Wells Fargo for repurchase by Fannie Mae, the secured interest only loan...

Lehman May Accelerate Mortgage Asset Sales
August 28, 2008
By Dees Stribling, Contributing Correspondent -- Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., in an effort to both staunch its massive losses and tap into a burgeoning market for commercial real estate debt, is reportedly exploring a strategy that would have it set...

Fire Brought Down 7 WTC: Report
August 28, 2008
By Tom Dworetzky, News Editor -- At a technical briefing this week, Shyam Sundar, lead investigator for the federal building and fire investigation of the World Trade Center disaster conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, revealed in...

Maguire Wraps Up $211M Orange County Office Sale
August 28, 2008
By Barbra Murray, Contributing Editor -- Los Angeles-based Maguire Properties Inc. has closed the disposition of Main Plaza, selling the 607,000-square-foot trophy office complex in Irvine, Calif., to Shorenstein Properties L.L.C for $211 million including the assumption of $161 million...

Fund Invests $44M in Texas, Ohio Student Housing
August 27, 2008
By Gail Kalinoski, Contributing Editor -- The Place/BV Student Housing Fund L.L.C. continues to make investments in student housing facilities across the United States, with two more announced today. The properties will be developed in Texas and Ohio for $44...

Do You Have A Bad Attitude?
August 22, 2008
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer, N2growth --Show me a CEO with a bad attitude and I'll show you a poor leader. While this sounds simple enough at face value, I have consistently found that one of the most often...

Is Family Business a Good Idea?
August 15, 2008
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer, N2growth --Oh what a conundrum! Family business: Should I, or shouldn't I? In my opinion there really isn't a right or wrong answer to this question. It is simply a matter of personal preference....

What to Do When Marketing Goes Wild
August 08, 2008
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer N2growth --Have your company's marketing initiatives wandered astray? Is the proverbial tail starting to wag the dog with respect to your current marketing campaigns? How do you know when marketing is out of control?...

Six Mistakes Real Leaders Avoid
August 01, 2008
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer, N2growth --I recently had a reader ask: "Is there a simple test that can be used to quickly determine an executive's leadership ability?" The short answer is yes. There are, in fact, a great...

Top Brokers Do Deals in Bad Markets, Too
July 18, 2008
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer N2growth --Many in the industry long for the frothy markets of 2005 when sellers experienced record low cap rates, buyers were aided by loose credit and a strong flow of funds from the capital...