Lulla of The Heller Org. negotiates 8,200 s/f retail lease to Smarter Toddler at Rockrose’s 99 John Deco Loft condominium

99 John Deco Loft - Manhattan, NY

Manhattan, NY Smarter Toddler Nursery & Preschool completed their multi-year lease with Rockrose to secure its new Financial District location opening next month. The 14 year old childcare and early childhood education provider occupies 8,200 s/f of ground retail space at Rockrose’s 99 John Deco Loft condominium at the corner of John and Cliff St. The space represents Smarter Toddler's third area location.

Vik Lulla, managing director at The Heller Organization, represented Smarter Toddler and worked with the school to identify optimal locations for Smarter Toddler's expansion. Formerly occupied by Duane Reade Pharmacy, the entire ground retail space has been demolished and transformed into facilities and classrooms.

“We identified 99 John St. as a potential site for Smarter Toddler early on. The Financial District has seen exponential growth in recent years, and has quickly become downtown’s epicenter for fashion, culture, and commerce,” said Lulla. “The area has always been a vibrant hub for businesses, and in recent years has been blooming with young families attracted to its rich history and abundant amenities. Smarter Toddler is a natural fit for the neighborhood, and will help serve the community's growing demand for childcare services.”

“An open, flowing floor plan is critical to the layout of our classrooms and hallways. We were looking for a large, bright, airy space—and we found it at 99 John St.,” said Smarter Toddler co-founder, Kettia Ming. “There are lofty ceilings throughout and extra large windows that fill the classrooms and interior with lots of natural light. Every inch of our facilities are meticulously designed and laid out, and we saw the opportunity to bring the Smarter Toddler's signature brand to life at 99 John St.”

Originally an office building constructed in 1932, Rockrose's 99 John Deco Loft condominium rises 25 stories and consists of 439 residential units. The property is in close proximity to all major subway lines at Fulton Center and Wall St. as well as the ferry at South St. Seaport. Other retail tenants in the building include Jubilee Marketplace and Icon Parking Systems.