>From a friend: The big building in Manhattan owned by the TMO on Broad St (Wall St area) is beautiful but gaudy. About 5 stories high - It is decorated with this gaudy, gold festooned, silk covered, very expensive rented furniture - the place is stuffed to overflowing with it - from couches, large chairs, marble or inlaid wood side tables, crystal lamps, beds, fancy rugs and artwork too. There are apartments for Raja Raam, J Hagelin, Bevan. The local TM Center uses it too for lectures and an office. But the maintenance and rental of furnishings is a huge expense. John H chose much of it, and apparently he has a strong need (obsessive?) to have everything symmetrical and insists that everything be just so. Lamps on tables much match and be placed perfectly in the middle of the table, etc. Desks must be evenly spaced between walls (things are measured to be sure they are centered). Gaudy marble counters and sinks everywhere. Amazing. They want it to appeal to executives and important people. The location is great, and they cleaned the exterior of the building and installed brand new, top of the line large windows throughout. So some money was spent here in the US, but I think they had to scramble for donations and there may still be a mortgage.
