Roos and Cohen of Colliers negotiate 600 s/f flagship boutique retail lease to Kara Ross at 655 Madison Ave.

Colliers International has expanded the retail presence at 655 Madison Ave. in the East Side shopping district with the addition of Kara Ross. The women's designer handbag and accessories retailer has signed a long term lease and will open its flagship location on the ground floor of the building. Colliers International tri-state vice chairman Andrew Roos and president Michael Cohen represented the building ownership, Plaza Associates, LLC. Laura Pomerantz, of Pomerantz Real Estate LLC, represented Kara Ross. Kara Ross will open its 600 s/f location in the fall, pending build-out of the space. The boutique retail store will be located on East 60th St. off Madison Ave. Other retail brands with flagship stores at 655 Madison Ave. include DKNY; Jones New York, which recently opened its first U.S. location for the company's Brian Atwood division; and Schutz, owned by fashion designer Alexandrea Biermann. In addition, with Philippe Chow and other in-demand restaurants, East 60th St. between Madison Ave.and Park Ave. is one of the most heavily trafficked side streets in the neighborhood. "We had numerous offers for the retail space at 655 Madison Ave.but considered Kara Ross a special opportunity," Roos said. "Her work is so well regarded, and her brand perfectly complements the other international designer flagship stores in our building." Just steps from Central Park and centrally located to Manhattan's finest luxury hotels, dining and shopping, 655 Madison recently underwent a comprehensive renovation, featuring an elegant granite and glass facade, new lobby, and new elevator cabs and mechanical systems. Located at the southwest corner of 60th St., 655 Madison Ave. is a 230,932-square-foot commercial building with convenient access to the 4, 5, 6, F, N, R and W subway lines and several Madison Ave. bus lines. Office tenants in the building include Lowes Corporation's corporate headquarters, Estee Lauder, and various financial services firms.