The LeFrak Organization, a New York-based real estate developer and manager, held a ground breaking ceremony for a 429-room Westin Hotel it is adding to its $1 billion Newport development in Jersey, City, N.J. Pictured, from left, are: U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey; Richard LeFrak; New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine; Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy; development partner Stephen Simon; and Jamie LeFrak.

The Building Owners and Managers Association of New York recently held a luncheon hosting Amanda Burden, who chairs New York City's Planning Commission and is director of the Department of City Planning. Burden discussed plans to reinvent all of New York City's five boroughs. From left are: BOMA -NY President Anthony Lifrieri; Burden; and Robert DiChiara, BOMA-NY Program Committee.

Professional Women in Construction held its annual business networking event at Club 101 in New York, drawing a diverse crowd from owner, developer, property management, and construction companies and financial institutions. Among the guests were, from left: Theresa Vigilante, PWC; James Doran, Vornado Realty Trust; Barbara Dershowitz, AKAM Living Services; Karen Dome, GVA Williams Real Estate; James Cavanaugh, Hugh Carey Battery Park City Authority; and Lenore Janis, PWC. (Photo by Scaffolds Photography)