The Bloomberg Real Estate Briefing will focus on topics including how to stimulate the market, a potential recovery, opportunities for investors, and the state of international real estate. Serving alongside Mr. Hirschfeld will be Charles S. Cohen, President and CEO of Cohen Brothers Realty Corporation (CBRC), and Jonathan L. Mechanic, Partner, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson.

“I’m honored to join some of the great minds of the industry to talk real estate,” said Elie Hirschfeld. “There have been a lot of signposts urging people to invest in distressed properties, yet, as a public, there is a lot of hesitation. With the panel that we have, I’m confident we can pilot some of the hot-button issues and make a fair prediction about what is to come and why now is the right time to invest.”

Mr. Hirschfeld played a key role in the development of many major New York City Properties, such as the Grand Sutton, the Hotel Pennsylvania, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and Park Avenue Court. He received his JD from NYU Law School and sees through all stages of the land development process.

The Briefing will begin at 8 am and run until 1 pm at the New York Public Library at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.  For more information about the event, please visit Bloomberg Link.

About Elie Hirschfeld

President and CEO of Hirschfeld Properties since 1997, Elie Hirschfeld has dedicated his professional life to real estate development planning and implementation. Since joining the company in 1976, Mr. Hirschfeld’s projects have included the development of prominent New York City properties such as the Grand Sutton, the Hotel Pennsylvania, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and Park Avenue Court.

Mr. Hirschfeld is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the company and leading all aspects of development including new project analysis, lease marketing and negotiation, legal strategies, and architectural and construction management. Elie Hirschfeld directed Hirschfeld Properties, LLC into partnerships with other distinguished real estate development firms such as the Zeckendorf Organization, the Donald Trump Organization, The Silverstein Organization, Empire Realty Group, Belz Enterprises of Memphis and the shopping mall development group, The Mel Simon Organization.

Additionally, Hirschfeld is an avid sportsman, having completed the New York City Marathon and the New York City Triathlon several times, and the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon for the last twenty consecutive years.

NEW YORK, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ – Elie Hirschfeld of Hirschfeld Productions is an investor in London’s West End Premiere of FLASHDANCE – The Musical. Actor and actress Matt Willis and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt will take Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas’ screenplay to the stage at The Shaftesbury Theatre when the musical opens on the 14th of October.

“I was captured by the film version of FLASHDANCE, and I am excited to see the piece brought to life on a London stage,” saidElie Hirschfeld, “specifically on the West End — the equivalent to New York’s Broadway.” Hirschfeld has co-produced several major Broadway projects, including Passing Strange, Oleanna, and Equus. “It’s precise choreography meets award-winning scoring on top of a heart-warming storyline,” he added.

The Shaftesbury Theatre is located at 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP. Tickets and more information can be found on-site at the theatre and online at FLASHDANCETheMusical.com.

Hirschfeld Productions

Elie Hirschfeld is a Tony Award voting member of The Broadway League and produces/co-produces Broadway shows including Passing Strange and Equus. Hirschfeld’s Tony Award winning production, “Passing Strange” is now launching the movie version of the shows at the IFC Center in NY, on Showtime, and soon on PBS. Elie Hirschfeld serves as President of Hirschfeld Properties, LLC, a NYC based development firm.

“As a native New Yorker and avid sportsman, swimming under one of the most iconic symbols of the city – The Brooklyn Bridge – will be an incredible experience as will completing another Mighty Hamptons Triathlon,” said Hirschfeld. “Marathons and triathlons alone are exceptionally rewarding both physically and mentally, but when you add in the charitable aspect to give back to the community as well, it heightens the sense of satisfaction to a whole new level.”

At the age of 35, Hirschfeld transformed from a casual jogger, occasional biker and “a terrible swimmer” to an impassioned extreme athlete, who over the past 27 years has garnered acclaim having completed over 75 triathlons and 10 marathons across the world. As another outlet for his sports enthusiasm, Hirschfeld launched www.hirschfeldsport.com, a website intended to foster athletic development that currently features triathlon training advice ranging from nutrition to endurance building.

About Elie Hirschfeld

President and CEO of Hirschfeld Properties since 1997, Elie Hirschfeld has dedicated his professional life to real estate development planning and implementation. Since joining the company in 1976, Mr. Hirschfeld’s projects have included the development of prominent New York City properties such as the Grand Sutton, the Hotel Pennsylvania, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and Park Avenue Court.

Mr. Hirschfeld is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the company and leading all aspects of development including new project analysis, lease marketing and negotiation, legal strategies, and architectural and construction management. Elie Hirschfeld directed Hirschfeld Properties, LLC into partnerships with other distinguished real estate development firms such as the Zeckendorf Organization, the Donald Trump Organization, The Silverstein Organization, Empire Realty Group, Belz Enterprises of Memphis and the shopping mall development group, The Mel Simon Organization.

Additionally, Hirschfeld is an avid sportsman, having completed the New York City Marathon and the New York City Triathlon several times, and the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon for the last twenty consecutive years.

But while New York — and the nation — are obsessed about whether a certain cultural center should go up in lower Manhattan, few noticed that the Penn Plaza plan will bring down the legendary Hotel Pennsylvania. The hotel — a 25-story, once-magnificent edifice built in 1919 — has a rich history, an essential part of which is bound up with my father’s first hit as a songwriter.

By 1940, my dad, Carl Sigman, had made some noise with the Johnny Mercer collaboration Just Remember and Benny Goodman’s recording, with Helen Forrest on vocals, of Busy As A Bee. Ravenous for his first real hit, Carl prowled the Runyonesque mid-town Manhattan environs of music publishing mecca the Brill Building, where the elevator men were bookies and the building’s three restaurants — The Turf, Jack Dempsey’s and The Greek — waged a gangster-tinged turf war. He pitched his songs to anyone who’d listen, then repaired to nearby Lindy’s to eat the city’s best cheesecake and share “…and then I wrote” stories with other writers, musicians, comedians and Broadway theater folk.

At that time, the biggest and hottest nightclub in town was the Pennsylvania Hotel’s Café Rouge, where such Swing Era icons as Goodman, the Dorsey Brothers and Artie Shaw performed. Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, who played the club more than anyone else, were showcasing a tune — not much more than a riff, really — whose precise origin is lost in the mists of musical lore. (In those days an orchestra leader frequently took credit for tunes written or arranged by his players. Miller’s name, along with that of arranger Jerry Gray, appears on the recordings.)

Music publishers were the kings of the industry then, so when king of kings Jack Robbins asked — okay, demanded — that Carl write a lyric, and fast, that’s exactly what Carl did. Call it fate, but somehow the riff wed perfectly to the hotel phone number. Pennsylvania 6-5000 became Miller’s signature number at the Rouge, and the RCA Victor Bluebird recording quickly ascended to the top 5 on the Billboard charts.

Most listeners think the lyric to Pennsylvania 6-5000 comprises that one phrase — the website CD Universe represents it as “Pennsylvania 6-5000, Pennsylvania 6-5 oh,oh,oh.” But later that same year, the Andrews Sisters showcased the full lyric with their own top-5 smash on Decca.

Those familiar with “Lawn Guyland” Jewish geography won’t be surprised to know that a significant chunk of the Hotel Pennsylvania’s history belongs to an old Great Neck friend I’ve known since seventh grade, Elie Hirschfeld, who owned and rejuvenated the place between 1983 and 1998.

Elie appreciates the history of the hotel, but also believes it’s time for a change. He told me, “I regret losing the Hotel Pennsylvania. When built it was the world’s largest hotel with 2,300 rooms and amongst the most luxurious. It was built by the great institution — the Pennsylvania Railroad — who engaged the great architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, also responsible for such landmark buildings as the White House East and West Wings, Harvard Business School and the National Museum of American History, to build it. The hotel façade and important columnar entry, in particular, are magnificent. It will be sad for New York to lose this monument, but I can’t deny that the hotel has passed its prime. The new building will bring new life to the neighborhood.”

Songs have a way of living on when physical objects — even historic buildings — come and go. Pennsylvania 6-5000 has, over the past 70 years, been featured in countless movies and TV shows, including The Glenn Miller Story, The Simpsons, American Dad, Twin Peaks, Any Given Sunday, Carol Burnett, The Muppet Show, The Gary Shandling Show, Transylvania 6-5000 and, perhaps best of all, a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

Notable covers have included Brian Setzer’s rockabillyish reinvention, a ska/jazz version by Heptet, a disco take by Meco and, less gloriously, a mix of Milli Vanilli’s Baby Don’t Forget My Number.

Call the Hotel Pennsylvania today at (212) PE 6-5000 — the oldest continuing phone number in New York City — and you’ll still hear Glenn Miller’s recording of Pennsylvania 6-5000.

Of course, all things must pass. Those who’ve seen or stayed at the hotel recently probably won’t shed any tears about its destruction. But the smart mega-corporation that takes over should see the branding opportunity, if not the cultural value, in preserving that famous phone number just a little while longer. (Hat tip to Jonathan P. Kahn, another great Great Necker.)

As we mentioned before, a good 76% of New Yorkers apparently think building a 1,200 foot tower two blocks away from the Empire State Building would be detrimental to the New York City skyline. But as The Empire State Building Company’s Times ad said, “There will be taller buildings in New York City…but they should merit the height with excellence.” We took a look back at some recent New York history to one building that seems to be doing just that. The year was 2009, and Frank Ghery’s 76-story Beekman Tower was causing quite a stir.

Developer Bruce Ratner almost had to stop the building at 38 stories due to the economy, but got the project back to its full height after negotiating with labor unions to save costs. And though the 867-foot tower is is changing the city’s view of the iconic Woolworth Building (the city’s tallest building from its construction in 1913 until 1930), it has not seen nearly as much criticism as 15 Penn Plaza has in just the past few days.

The NY Times’ architecture review suggested why that may be the case, “A lesser architect might have spoiled one of the most fabled views in the Manhattan skyline. Instead Mr. Gehry has designed a landmark that will hold its own against the greatest skyscrapers of New York. It may even surpass them.” Also near the Woolworth Building, developer Larry Silverstein announced he will be building an 80-story Four Seasons hotel at 99 Church Street, which Alliance of Downtown New York president Elizabeth Berger called one of the “reasons why Lower Manhattan is a global model for urban centers of the 21st century.”

Developer Elie Hirschfeld, who sold The Hotel Pennsylvania to Vornado, is on the side of those who want to see that kind of support uptown. He said in a statement, “It brings me great sadness to see something that I have nurtured as well as a beloved New York City landmark go, but Vornado’s project will be a magnificent monument that will bring the city into the new millennium in such a way that only a great visionary like [Vornado Chairman of the Board] Steve Roth can.” Which may be true, but perhaps it would be more beloved if it were further away from the hallowed ground of the Empire State Building.

http://gothamist.com/2010/08/23/15_penn_plaza_old_song_different_tu.php

In 1973, the Hirschfeld family acquired the iconic Gray Scramble X (double) oil painting in conjunction with the sale of the famed 817 Fifth Avenue apartment previously owned by Marquesa Carroll de Portago, wife of Marquis Alfonso de Portago and namesake of Stella’s 1970 “Marquis de Portago” hanging in the Hirshhorn Museum at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

“Gray Scramble X (double) holds great meaning to me because it was not only bestowed to me by my mother, but it is an integral piece of modern art’s history,” said Elie Hirschfeld. “From a minimalist style that electrified the world of abstract painting to his recent work with computer generated art, Stella’s works have graced renowned galleries worldwide including the Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as Sotheby’s auction blocks. It’s a true honor to retain such an influential piece.”

The Gray Scramble X (double) is in the style of Stella’s earlier works, which also contain concentric lines, some in gray tones and some in color.  Currently, Stella’s internationally recognized work is being exhibited in Sweden.

Elie Hirschfeld is an avid art collector who began his collection with “The Artists Show in Washington Square Park” by Thomas Hart Benton.  Since then, his collection has grown to hundreds of New York scenes with such notable works as Andy Warhol’s “Brooklyn Bridge,” Frank Stella’s “Squares” and Norman Rockwell’s “Gramercy Park.” His private collection is currently housed in his various homes.

Elie Hirschfeld

President and CEO of Hirschfeld Properties since 1997, Elie Hirschfeld has dedicated his professional life to real estate development planning and implementation. Since joining the company in 1976, Mr. Hirschfeld’s projects have included the development of prominent New York City properties such as the Grand Sutton, the Hotel Pennsylvania, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and Park Avenue Court.

Mr. Hirschfeld is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the company and leading all aspects of development including new project analysis, lease marketing and negotiation, legal strategies, and architectural and construction management. Elie Hirschfeld directed Hirschfeld Properties, LLC into partnerships with other distinguished real estate development firms such as the Zeckendorf Organization, the Donald Trump Organization, The Silverstein Organization, Empire Realty Group, Belz Enterprises of Memphis and the shopping mall development group, The Mel Simon Organization.

Additionally, Hirschfeld is an avid sportsman, having completed the New York City Marathon and the New York City Triathlon several times, and the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon for the last twenty consecutive years.

http://bit.ly/9x2Ge5

Elie Hirschfeld and Sarah Schlesinger at the party.  Below are the rest of the images and article about the party:

http://15minutesmagazine.com/pow_1007-01.htm

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: La Grenouille

BEST SUSHI: Sushi of Gari

BEST STEAKHOUSE: Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse

WHERE WERE YOU BORN: Tel Aviv, Israel

HOW LONG IN NEW YORK: 50 years

NEIGHBORHOOD: Plaza District

OCCUPATION: Real estate developer

BEST ETHNIC FOOD: Taboon

BEST ITALIAN: Bottega Del Vino

BEST PIZZA: Lucali

BEST LUNCH: The Abby Aldrich Dining Room at Rockefeller University

BEST PLACE FOR LATE NIGHT DINING: Brasserie

BEST DESSERT: Junior’s Most Fabulous Cheesecake & Desserts

BEST PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC DATE: The Park Room at The Helmsley Park Lane Hotel

BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH: The Ritz-Carlton

HAUTEST CLUB/LOUNGE: Le Caprice at the Pierre Hotel

BEST PLACE FOR A POWER BUSINESS MEETING: The Prime Grill

IF YOU HAVE OUT OF TOWN GUESTS, WHICH HOTEL WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? St. Regis Hotel

FAVORITE SHOPPING VENUE/BOUTIQUE: Madison Avenue in the 70s

BEST PLACE TO BUY JEWELRY/WATCHES: A La Vieille Russie

BEST SPA: Sports Club/LA on the East side

BEST GYM/ATHLETIC FACILITY: Sports Club/LA on the East side

BEST MASSAGE: Sports Club/LA on the East side

BEST LIMOUSINE/DRIVING SERVICE: My driver

FAVORITE CHARITY EVENT: Continuum Center for Health and Healing Gala

FAVORITE CULTURAL EVENT: The Tony Awards

FAVORITE CULTURAL INSTITUTION: The Neue Gallery

BEST MUSEUM/EXHIBIT: New York Scenes in the Brooklyn Museum

FAVORITE HISTORIC/LEGENDARY PLACE TO SEE OR EXPLORE: The High Line District

ALL-AROUND FAVORITE SPOT IN NEW YORK: Central Park

BEST ASPECT OF NEW YORK: It’s my home

http://mia.hauteliving.com/haute-secrets/?cat=All&market=New%20York&guideid=270