1. Three Indicators Suggest Economic Slowdown: Three economic indicators are showing slowness in the economy, according to a report from the commercial real estate company CB Richard Ellis. The gross domestic product grew 0.6% in the fourth quarter, 17,000 jobs were lost in January, and the supply management sector is showing signs of contraction, the report said. Still, the company’s chief economist wrote that he expected an upswing in the economy starting in the third quarter and that forward-thinking investors would see 2008 as a year of opportunities arising “from others’ mis-pricing or misfortune.”

2. Durst, Whittle Plan New Private School: Developer Douglas Durst and a partner are planning to build a $200 million, six-story private school on the West Side of Manhattan, the New York Observer reported. The Nations Academy, at 623 W. 57th St., would be part of a global network of schools with an internationally focused curriculum. Mr. Durst’s partner in the enterprise is a founder of Edison Schools and former owner of Esquire magazine, Christopher Whittle. The school would educate 1,700 students from pre-kindergarten through high school.

3. $64M Townhouse Would Be a Record: If a $64 million home on the Upper East Side fetches its asking price, it will be the most expensive townhouse sold in the city, the New York Daily News reported. The townhouse, on East 68th Street near Fifth Avenue, has 15 bedrooms, a ballroom, a marble staircase, seven fireplaces, and an elevator.

4. G.M. Building Receives Three Bids Over $3B: Three groups have bid on Harry Macklowe’s General Motors Building, and all the proposals are for more than $3 billion, which would be a record sale for an American office building. Larry Silverstein, backed by the cashrich California State Teachers’ Retirement System, is one of the bidders, The New York Sun reported. Another is James Cayre and a group of Middle Eastern investors, the Wall Street Journal reported. The bidders now will enter a second round, as Mr. Macklowe’s financial fate hangs in the balance.

5. Prudential Sales Awards Spat: A minor spat has arisen at Prudential Douglas Elliman over the brokerage firm’s annual sales awards, the Real Deal reported. Instead of awarding the annual “top seller” award, the company split the prize in two: Jacky Teplitzky won the award for top group sales, while Dolly Lenz won for top individual seller. But Ms. Teplitzky said she should have been named top seller. The firm declined to comment.

6. Port Authority Hands Over Towers 3 & 4 to Silverstein: The Port Authority has finished excavation work for Towers 3 and 4 at the World Trade Center site and Silverstein Properties will now begin building the two 80-story buildings, officials announced.

bhope@nysun.com