Some of the city's top brokers, developers and bankers got an inside look at how some of the city's largest retail deals get done when it comes to building-out new retail space for top-tier clients.
Argento Construction executives told guests what went into a gut demolition and build-out of the 4,800 s/f, four-level Breitling watch store at 5 East 57th St.; a project that came in "below budget and ahead of schedule" for the client. Argento, a leading construction firm based in New York City, with over 20 years experience, renovates and rebuilds stores for icons like Versace, Armani, Creed, Kiton, Bulgari, Gucci and many more.
Argento founder and CEO Danny Argento, Argyris Argitakos, the company's business development manager, and SPACE architect Scott Stapleton, presented the case study with insights into the construction and design challenges and costs associated with such a large retail built-out project. The team was given only four and a half months with the order to get the new Breitling store opened for holiday shoppers before Christmas. The store opened on December 23rd and accomplished multi-million dollar sales, a few days before Christmas 2010, according to Argento.
"The key is coming in early,before the lease even gets signed, to start planning," said Argitakos.
The breakfast was hosted by Kenneth Volandes, an attorney with the GoldsteinHall law firm and by Metropolitan Commercial Bank. Tags: