JLL completes four lease renewals totaling 26,081 s/f

Jones Lang LaSalle has completed four new, direct transactions and two renewals, totaling 26,081 s/f of office and retail space, for Deka Immobilien GmbH at The Berkeley Building, 19 West 44th Street. Eos Products LLC signed for 8,377 s/f, Lieberman Research Worldwide Inc. leased 7,329 s/f, Enclave Capital LLC took 5,810 s/f and Gemvara Inc. signed for 2,333 s/f. In addition, SRG44 renewed 1,123 s/f of office space and E.B. Meyrowitz & Dell Opticians renewed 1,100 s/f of retail space at the Class A, 292,968 s/f commercial office building. The building owner, Deka Immobilien, was represented in all six transactions by Barbara Winter and Bill Korchak, executive vice presidents, with JLL. The team worked closely with Real Estate Capital Partners, which serves as the asset manager of the building for Deka Immobilien. "Since acquiring The Berkeley Building several years ago, Deka Immobilien has invested significant resources in a major upgrade of the building," said Winter. "Tenants from a diverse range of industries continue to be attracted to the office property by the improvements. The common corridors and pre-built suites at The Berkeley Building have been completed, and lobby and elevator renovations are well underway. The office building provides great city views in all directions and close proximity to mass transportation." Eos Products completed a 10-year lease for 8,377 s/f and will occupy a portion of the eighth floor at The Berkeley Building. The beauty products manufacturer is relocating to the building from 307 Fifth Avenue. Eos Products was represented by Greg Taubin, executive managing director, and Gabe Marans, associate, with Studley Inc. Lieberman Research Worldwide signed a seven-year lease for 7,329 s/f and will occupy a portion of the 15th floor at the building. The marketing research firm is relocating to 19 West 44th Street from 52 Vanderbilt Avenue. Lieberman Research Worldwide was represented by Howard Nottingham, executive managing director, and Ryan McKinney, assistant director, with Studley. Enclave Capital inked a five-year lease for 5,810 s/f and will occupy a portion of the 17th floor at The Berkeley Building. The broker-dealer is relocating to the building from offices on Third Avenue. Enclave Capital was represented by Mitchell Kunikoff and Dennis Someck, executive managing director and principals, with Lee & Associates NYC. Gemvara completed a three-year lease for 2,333 s/f and will occupy a portion of the eighth floor at the building. Gemvara was represented by Jonathan Schindler, senior managing director and principal, and Bryan Boisi, associate, with Cassidy Turley. SRG44 renewed its lease for 1,132 s/f at The Berkeley Building for 10 years and will continue to occupy a portion of the 14th floor. The family office was represented by Josh Goldman, senior director, with Cushman & Wakefield. E.B. Meyrowitz & Dell Opticians renewed its lease for 1,100 s/f of retail space at the building for 10 years and will continue to occupy a portion of the ground floor at 19 West 44th Street. The optician was represented in-house in the transaction. JLL was named as exclusive commercial office leasing agent, property manager and project manager at The Berkeley Building in late 2012. Property management services at the property are overseen by Matt Duthie, managing director, with Matthew Kirby-Smith serving as general manager of the building. Project management services are overseen by Michael Chionchio, managing director, with Joseph Buxbaum and Shannon Ford serving as associate project managers. The 18-story The Berkeley Building has approximately 19,000 s/f of office space available in suites that range from 792 s/f to nearly 5,000 s/f. Floor plates at the property are typically slightly more than 17,000 s/f. The office building is located at 19 West 44th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues in Midtown, a few blocks from Bryant Park and Grand Central Terminal. Constructed in 1917, The Berkeley Building was designed by Starrett & Van Vleck. Deka Immobilien is in the midst of a capital improvement program for the building, with the work being overseen by Jones Lang LaSalle's Project and Development Services group. The effort will include a variety of pre-built units, as well as upgrades to the building lobby, elevators, entry and infrastructure.