Developer Joseph Moinian's magic touch.

If you're one of many prospective tenants looking for a place in Manhattan to call home or office, you will probably seek out an apartment complex or office building developed by Joseph Moinian. From commercial office space to penthouse suites, Joe Moinian has worked his alchemy on many New York properties, transforming them from lead into a gold standard of urban living.

"I believe in taking a long-term approach to real estate development," said Moinian, CEO/COO of The Moinian Group. "That is. what sets me apart from my competitors. The only way to get the most out of a property's potential is through the strategic application of capital improvements."

That philosophy has served Moinian well over the past 20 years in the real estate business. With a current portfolio totaling more than five million square feet of commercial, industrial, residential, retail and hotel properties throughout the U.S. and abroad, he has brought the Moinian Group to new heights in the new millennium.

He began in the early 1980's with the conversion of loft buildings to office properties. Chief among these were 450-460 Park Avenue South and 72 Madison Avenue. Those buildings became showcases for Moinian's ability to intuit what potential tenants most wanted in a good office property. He took the approach of asking himself what he would want if he were renting in the office or residential space he was developing, and then made it a part of the building's development. The strategy worked, and subsequent properties have become casebook examples in real estate marketing of what to do to sell your product.

Catering to the needs of the high-powered businessman is a constant concern for The Moinian Group, and no place is that more evident than at One Silicon Alley Plaza in Downtown New York. This 17-story, 188,000 square-foot, Class A office complex is 100 percent occupied and is home to many of New York City's most technologically advanced companies such as Gobi, Inc., Silicon Alley Connections and AmenStar Technologies. One of the pioneers of the City of New York and Mayor Giuliani's Plug-n-Go program with Downtown Alliance; the property provides high tech and new media tenants pre-built spaces with all wiring pre-installed to meet the needs of its tenants.

Acquired in 1995,90 John Street is another successful Moinian technology property. In addition to the building's high-tech modifications, a lobby renovation and major upgrades to the building's elevator systems including new cabs, all new windows and building mechanical systems were recently initiated. 90 John Street enjoys the enviable position of having a long waiting list of aspiring tenant companies that appreciate the building's high-tech office spaces. Like other Moinian Group developments, it illustrates most effectively how the best way to fill a building is to fill its tenants' needs.

Following on the heels of these properties, the Moinian Group brought its successful strategy to the residential market. As a result, The Renaissance at 100 John Street was born. A 221-unit luxury apartment building, The Renaissance is the complete residential community where the comforts of home meld with a business environment. Residents can wind down from their work week with a piano player and chilled wine served in the "club room" off of the main lobby, step out onto a sky deck terrace and enjoy breathtaking views of historical lower Manhattan or stroll down to South Street Seaport for dining or nightly entertainment.

The Moinian Group's newest project is Ocean at One West Street. Located on the corner of West Street and Battery Place, this residential property, in the Battery Park area of Downtown Manhattan, offers breathtaking unobstructed water views with sweeping panoramic vistas that include such landmarks as The Statue of Liberty and the Hudson River. A former commercial property, Ocean reads like another chapter in the success story of The Moinian Group. Residents in this luxury prewar building are treated to mesmerizing views and no-expenses-spared amenities.

Ocean is Internet ready and offers cable modem access. In addition, all tenants can access the building's advanced technology business center and video conference facilities on the ground floor. Further enhancing the live/work/play atmosphere of Ocean, the Moinian Group is currently marketing a 5,000 square-foot prime retail space on the ground floor to upscale food and beverage businesses.

Moinian has now set his sights on two new projects -- the Regent Tower at 900 Eighth Avenue at 54th Street and the historic Biltmore Theater along the east side of Eighth Avenue and 47th Street.

A 52-story, 570-unit luxury rental residential high-rise development, Regent Tower is slated for construction in the Fall of 2000. The property is designed to be a full-service, white glove, doorman building in the heart of Manhattan's West Side. Designed by renowned architect Frank Williams, Regent Tower will offer a sleek look with units ranging from studios to 2-bed- room apartments. All apartments will be fully equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, and will offer residents spectacular vistas of Central Park and the Hudson River.

The Moinian Group's team of experienced professionals, a hands-on management style and a strategic approach to investment and growth, has armed the developer with the tools necessary to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities available in the real estate marketplace. "We are in the business of creating prime real estate that will appeal to our tenants today, tomorrow and for many years to come," concluded Moinian.