The Janus Property Co. selects Cushman & Wakefield to lease the Taystee Building

According to The Janus Property Co, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. (C&W) has been appointed as its exclusive leasing agent for the Taystee Building, a new construction project located at the site of the former Taystee Bakery at 450 West 126th St. The Taystee Building represents the next phase of Janus' three-acre Manhattanville Factory District master-planned commercial development in West Harlem, located east of Amsterdam Ave. between West 125th and 128th Sts. In the heart of the 125th Street academic, arts and culture corridor, the Manhattanville Factory District is perfectly situated between Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus, its expansion into Manhattanville, and CUNY's City College campus. The Factory District is comprised of several existing buildings, including the Mink Building and the Sweets Building, both 100% complete and fully-leased, the Taystee Building, and additional future development sites. The Cushman & Wakefield leasing team of Jonathan Fales, Myles Fennon, and David Itzkowitz has been appointed to lead the project. "The building's dual-core construction allows for great design flexibility for tenants" said Fales, senior managing director of Cushman & Wakefield. "We look forward to bringing in tenants whose creative, modern aesthetic complements the rich cultural history of the surrounding neighborhood." Janus and its partner, Monadnock Construction, one of New York's largest and most highly regarded construction firms, were selected in a city-wide competition by New York's Economic Development Corporation to develop the Taystee Building into the defining element of the Factory District. "The Taystee Building will be the newest and most exciting project in our Manhattanville Factory District development, and we're thrilled to have this Cushman & Wakefield team as our building's exclusive leasing agent," said Scott Metzner, principal of Janus. Jerry Salama, principal, said, "This project will be a great resource for existing local businesses, including those affiliated with the universities, and will bring new tenants to a beautiful and storied neighborhood as it enters a strong and bright future. This unique combination will strengthen the community and solidify the local economy for years to come." Designed by the award-winning architectural firm LevenBetts, the Taystee Building will be a class A 300,000 s/f LEED Silver-certified building. LevenBetts' plan for the building's exterior incorporates a façade of black steel and large expanses of glass to evoke the area's industrial history, while bringing the transparency of 21st century architecture to the neighborhood. The site plan also will create outdoor, open space with beautiful landscaping and numerous places for tenants to gather, hold outdoor meetings, or relax and enjoy a work break. A landscaped through-block passageway will be an integral component of the Factory District, connecting West 125th St. to West 126th St. and beyond. The Taystee Building's 11 tenant floors are accessible through separate east and west lobbies. Its core and column spacing have been designed to assure flexible tenant layouts, with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass to ensure that each floor is flooded with natural light, creating warm, inviting and productive workspaces. On several floors, Taystee tenants will enjoy access to extensive private and shared outdoor space. Additional amenities include a bike room and approximately 20,000 s/f of new retail space. Surrounded by West Harlem's energy, culture and charm, the Taystee Building is just steps away from Riverside Park, world-class educational, arts and cultural institutions, and highly-rated Zagat restaurants. The building touts such neighbors as the Apollo Theater, Fairway Market, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Columbia University's new 17-acre Manhattanville expansion. And within steps from the 125th St. #1, A, B, C and D subway lines, getting to and from the Taystee Building is extremely convenient. The A and D express trains are one stop to Midtown. The West Side Highway and Hudson River Greenway bike paths are two avenues to the west, and many major bus routes converge nearby at 125th St. and Amsterdam Ave. The Taystee Building will be completed in 2015. More information on the building, including additional building views and floor plans, as well as additional facts on The Manhattanville Factory District can be found at www.taysteebldg.com and www.thefactorydistrict.com.