Article: Developers try "free' chic to sell their empty condos; Top decorators given carte blanche; dazzled buyers start bidding.(NEWS)

Byline: AMANDA FUNG

When Albert Laboz got a call from Hearst Magazines last winter, he was slow to respond because he thought the caller was just looking for advertising.

Instead, the media giant wanted to use Soho Mews, Mr. Laboz's new 68-unit luxury condominium building, to promote four of its magazines. The publisher agreed to bring in well-known designers to dress up three large units plus a penthouse with high-end furnishings and interiorsall for freeand feature them in upcoming editions of Town & Country, Veranda and others. The freebie is paying off handsomely for the Manhattan developer.

"The traffic uptick is tremendous, says Mr. ...

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