November 4, 2026 What Is Happening in Long Island’s Retail Industry? Retail is not disappearing. It is changing what it offers. Consumers can order groceries,

From the film Citizen Kane to Taylor Swift’s Blank Space, Oheka Castle is more than a historic Long Island landmark. A $72 million winning bid puts the iconic Huntington estate on the path to new ownership. Up to 95 condominiums could be part of its next chapter, alongside plans to maintain its existing hotel, wedding, and event operations.

Why are iconic retail brands making a comeback in 2026? FAO Schwarz is bringing its theatrical toy-shopping experience into Nordstrom. Toys “R” Us is planning a major expansion built around toys, collectibles, and entertainment. Barnes & Noble is demonstrating that physical bookstores can grow through localized merchandising and community engagement. JCPenney is repositioning its value proposition around quality, affordability, and a more reassuring shopping experience.

Can underused parking lots become NYC’s next big commercial real estate opportunity? In Queens, a developer spends $100M+ to build 145 rental apartments at Bay Terrace Shopping Center. For us, it’s a clear example of how developers can unlock new value from commercial properties while keeping existing retail businesses operating.

We are seeing something interesting in New York City commercial real estate. The office leasing market is now at its healthiest point since the pandemic. However, evolving financing options are supporting investors in converting older, vulnerable Manhattan office buildings into residential spaces. Is the building worth more as an office, or could its next chapter be residential?

In what could be a huge development for New York City commercial real estate, President Donald Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani met at the Gracie Mansion to discuss several issues affecting New Yorkers, including housing affordability, immigration, public safety and the proposed redevelopment of Sunnyside Yard. What exactly is being proposed around Queen’s 116-year old train yard?

What does the $75 million financing for Queens’ Whitestone Shopping Center tell us? It shows that capital is still available for retail when investors and lenders see strong fundamentals and a credible path to value creation. For brokers, that means taking a closer look at grocery-anchored centers, neighborhood shopping centers and older retail properties with redevelopment potential.

NYC needs roughly 700,000 additional homes over the next decade, yet new condo launches are projected to fall through 2029 as developers lean toward rentals and luxury projects. The city needs more housing, but the condo pipeline is moving in the opposite direction. So what’s happening to NYC’s new condo supply?