Kaufman and Raskob of Kaufman lease 8,185 s/f

The Kaufman Org. has brokered a seven-year, 8,185 s/f lease at 132 W. 36th St. for Benartex, a leading supplier of cotton fabrics for quilts. Steven Kaufman and Barbara Raskob of Kaufman represented the landlord and Jeff Zund of Kenneth Zund Realty Associates, Inc. represented the tenant. Benartex is a wholesale designer and distributor of 100% cotton fabrics for quilting, crafts, wearable art and home decorating items. The designer fabrics are sold worldwide using an online service and can be found in affiliate stores across the United States. Although the terms of the lease were undisclosed, the asking rent for the space was in the mid $30's per-square-foot. Benartex will occupy the fourth floor. "Benartex will use the new space as their showroom and offices," Raskob said. "Our team will work with the company to build-out the show room efficiently, so it fits the needs of the firm's designing purposes." 132 W. 36th St., built in 1922, is a 12-story building in the Garment District with an entrance at 139 W. 35th St. as well. The 190,050 square-foot structure features 24/7 access and a shared entrance with 132 W. 36th St. Tenants include Loyaltex Apparel USA Inc., R-Pac International Corporation, Verragio Jewelry and Susan Brady Lighting Design. The building is 100 percent occupied. The Kaufman Organization, with 100 years experience and 5.2 million square feet of owned or managed space, has long been considered one of the most prominent and well-respected real estate companies in the New York metropolitan area. The company offers a fully integrated spectrum of leasing and management services to diverse owners and tenants and is continually looking to build its portfolio through property acquisitions.