Waterfall Asset Management takes 44,100 s/f at MFA’s 1251 Ave. of the Americas

Manhattan, NY According to Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. (MFA), Waterfall Asset Management, LLC is relocating and expanding to 1251 Ave. of the Americas, taking the entire 50th floor.

Waterfall will occupy 44,100 s/f in the 54-story, LEED-Gold-certified office tower. The move to MFA’s flagship property is expected in the third quarter of 2019 for an 11-year term.

JLL’s Chris Kraus and Daoud Awad represented the tenant. NKF’s Falk, Peter Shimkin, Eric Cagner and Nick Berger represented MFA at 1251 Avenue of the Americas.

This latest deal brings the building to 99% occupancy after the recent full-floor global headquarters lease signed with the International Council of Shopping Centers. The relocation also further underscores MFA’s commitment to maintaining 1251 as one of the preeminent office buildings by making strategic capital improvements.

“We are thrilled to welcome yet another distinguished tenant to 1251 Avenue of the Americas,” said Christopher Perez, senior VP of MFA. “Sixth Ave. remains one of the most dynamic professional neighborhoods in midtown Manhattan and we’re delighted that Waterfall selected 1251 to meet its space, infrastructure and location requirements.”

Waterfall is relocating from 1140 Ave. of the Americas, where it had occupied two floors totaling 25,500 s/f. The firm preferred a full floor rather than taking a third one in its current location.

“1251 Avenue of the Americas is the perfect location for Waterfall,” said Jack Ross, one of the founding partners of Waterfall.  “The ability to combine our growing operations onto one floor, while remaining in midtown Manhattan, is a tremendously attractive feature of this space.” 

“Mitsui Fudosan America has continually invested in building upgrades and improvements, earning 1251 the reputation of being one of New York City’s best managed office towers,” said NKF’s David Falk, who represented MFA in the transaction. 

Sixth Ave. remains one of the most sought-after locations in midtown with 1251 as one of the marquee buildings. Among the tallest on the avenue, 1251 features column-free floorplates and full-height windows. It has a meticulously landscaped plaza that includes a two-tiered reflecting pool.

Early next year, the owner will redesign the lobby and upgrade the elevator system which, combined with several new restaurants, will further strengthen the property’s standing as a Midtown stalwart. “1251 Avenue of the Americas sets the benchmark for class A office space along the Sixth Ave. corridor,” said Perez.