Pandemic-Proof Real Estate: Whither NYC?

The president of Hudson Companies and The Planning Report’s first editor, David Kramer, discusses New York City’s COVID response and recovery and its likely impact on multifamily housing development going forward.

1 minute read

July 10, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By Clare Letmon


Manhattan, New York City, New York

Ryan DeBerardinis / Shutterstock

Public fear of contagion has ignited—as disasters and crises often do—an examination on the appeal of city life and especially the appeal of urban density and reliance on public transit. To better understand how COVID is impacting residential preferences in New York City, TPR caught up with the president of Hudson Companies and TPR’s first editor, David Kramer, to better understand his city’s COVID response and recovery and its likely impact on multifamily housing development going forward. 

A self-proclaimed NYC booster, Kramer affirms his bullish outlook for the city and calls for a “Manhattan Project for Testing" to restore public confidence in urban life.

"New York City does not and will never have enough housing or new supply, and I just think that down the road when the smoke clears, people are going to want to live in New York as they have for the last 30 years." —David Kramer

For the full interview, visit The Planning Report.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020 in The Planning Report

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Vacant storefront in historic building on Powell Street in San Francisco, California

Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax

Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.

June 4 - San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of manufactured home being dropped off or moved by red truck in mobile home park

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan

After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

June 4 - Greater Greater Washington

Graphic for '1000 Joys of Planning' with The Planning Commission Podcast

A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning

The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.

June 4 - The Planning Commission Podcast

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.