News:
Brokerage
Posted: July 16, 2026
Playday signs lease for second Upper East Side location at 1161 First Ave.
Manhattan, NY Lee & Associates NYC has arranged a 950 s/f retail lease for Playday, a fast-growing New York City children’s enrichment company that combines imaginative indoor play, hands-on art experiences, classes, after-school programming and birthday celebrations, at 1161 First Ave. on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Playday signed a 10-year lease for the ground-floor space at the property, which is owned by Saint Tropez Condo. The new location is expected to open in September 2026.
Claude Kolb, senior managing director at Lee & Associates NYC, represented the tenant. Robin Abrams and Nick Zilkha of Compass represented the landlord. Asking rent was approximately $120 per s/f.
The lease marks Playday’s sixth location in New York City and the second Upper East Side location secured by Kolb within the past 18 months, underscoring the brand’s continued expansion and growing demand for neighborhood-oriented family destinations.
“Playday has built a strong following by creating thoughtfully designed spaces where children can play, explore and celebrate while parents enjoy a welcoming, community-oriented environment,” said Kolb. “After the success of its first Upper East Side location, this second lease reflects the strength of the neighborhood and Playday’s continued confidence in the market. We’re proud to have helped the company expand its presence as it continues to grow across New York City.”
Founded in 2017, Playday was created to provide children with original, screen-free creative enrichment while fostering imagination, confidence and social-emotional development through art and play. Every Playday experience is designed to encourage creativity, collaboration and self-expression in a nurturing environment, helping children develop valuable life skills while having fun. Today, the company continues to expand across New York City by creating neighborhood destinations where families can gather, celebrate and learn together.
Photo CREDIT Playday.
MORE FROM Brokerage
Dogtopia joins growing tenant mix at Brunswick Shopping Center
North Brunswick, NJ Dogtopia, a leading provider of dog daycare, boarding and spa services, has signed a lease to open a new 5,081 s/f location at Brunswick Shopping Center. The new location further
Quick Hits
 (2).gif)
Columns and Thought Leadership
The death of the generic offering memorandum: What buyers expect in 2025 - by Kimberly Zar Bloorian
There was a time when an offering memorandum (OM) was pretty bare bones, some photos, a few bullet points on income, and a rent roll thrown in at the back. That used to get the job done. Not anymore. In 2025, buyers are sharper, faster, and more selective. They’re looking
Navigating the changing landscape of hotel Property Improvement Plans and conversion brands - by Andrew Cameron
When owners are due for a significant Property Improvement Plan (PIP), they must carefully evaluate what the best course of action is. Over the past five years, major hotel brands have become significantly more flexible with their PIP schedules.
Multi-generational multifamily owners - who’s in and who’s out - by Shallini Mehra and Amit Doshi
Many long-time property owners are divesting from their rent stabilized properties at an increasingly rapid pace. This trend has gained momentum primarily due to the unyielding permanence of rent laws over the past six years and the increasing operating costs that continue to outstrip rent growth. In addition, the judiciary’s elongated timeline in processing evictions and tenant rent challenges,
Artificial intelligence in lending - by Lindsay Mesh Lotito
Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to help transform lending by enhancing decision-making, improving risk management and streamlining operations. With AI-powered tools that analyze vast amounts of data, lenders are able to assess borrower creditworthiness more accurately and efficiently. AI can evaluate a wide range of factors,
.gif)