The presidency has not been good for the Trump brand:
IN MANHATTAN, where Donald Trump built his empire, prices for condos in buildings bearing his gilded name are falling in the first year of his presidency.
The average price per square foot for condos sold in Trumpbranded buildings in the borough fell seven per cent in the 12 months through November compared to the year earlier, according to a report Wednesday by research firm CityRealty. Prices dropped in eight of 11 Trump buildings.
The average price per square for all Manhattan condos also fell, but much less – just one per cent.
CityRealty cited less allure for the Trump brand, overall, as well as competition from luxury condos in newer buildings. It was the first time since CityRealty began tracking such sales in 2003 that prices for Trump-branded condos have fallen below Manhattan averages.
“You can’t say the Trump name doesn’t matter at all,” said Gabby Warshawer, research director at CityRealty.
The Trump Organization dismissed the findings.
“The entire luxury market in Manhattan has seen declines year-over-year with overall prices declining,” it said in an emailed statement. “Despite that, Trump buildings have continued to be a leader in average price per square foot against competitors.”
According to the CityRealty report, the Trump headquarters building on Fifth Avenue, called Trump Tower, took a big hit.
The owners of the five condos who sold in the past year got 11 per cent less per square foot, the report said. The total price per condo was US$2.4 million. That was down a steep 24 per cent.
Trump Tower has been the scene of protests, and streets around the building are sometimes closed down. Security presence is heavy, which may have also hurt the building’s appeal.
There were steeper price drops in other buildings, but not as many condos were sold in the past year, possibly distorting the results. The price per square foot for condos at Trump International on Central Park West, another site of protests, fell 13 per cent. There were two sales there.
At Trump-branded buildings overlooking the Hudson River farther to the west, there were more sales but the hit was less. The price per square foot at Trump Place at 220 Riverside Boulevard fell three per cent. That building had 15 sales last year.
The president’s company has had mixed results since Trump took over as president.
His Washington, DC hotel is booming as lobbyists and diplomats looking to curry favour with the administration book rooms and hold events there, but there are signs other businesses are suffering and some owners are unhappy with the brand.