Weld of Cushman & Wakefield represents FC Barcelona in 4,014 s/f lease at 250 Park Avenue

New York, NY Cushman & Wakefield has secured a 10-year, 4,014 s/f lease for one of the most visible sports organizations in the world, FC Barcelona at AEW Capital Management’s 250 Park Ave. The club will occupy a partial-floor space—overlooking Park Ave.—on the top floor of the boutique luxury office building. FC Barcelona identified New York City as the location for its first United States headquarters because the City affords the club the platform to connect with potential brand partners while it simultaneously focuses on strengthening the popularity of soccer throughout the country. “This is a world-class organization, and 250 Park Ave. allows FC Barcelona to be housed at a world-class address. Being located on Park Ave. provides the club with instant credibility as it sets its sights on raising soccer’s profile in the United States,” said Brian Weld, executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield. “Decision makers were attracted to 250 Park Avenue due to its close proximity to Grand Central Terminal and potential brand partners, and because they appreciated the building’s classic and elegant features.” FC Barcelona’s space will house administrative and marketing staff, and include dedicated space for the club’s executives. The office will be adorned with signed jerseys from major stars like Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez; the space will also feature a trophy display and a large screen where employees and select visitors will be able to watch Barcelona matches and game highlights. Although terms of the lease were not disclosed, Weld represented the tenant while Cushman’s vice chairmen Robert Billingsley and David Hoffman, Jr. along with Whitnee Williams, associate vice president, represented the landlord, AEW Capital Management. 250 Park Ave., built in 1924 by Cross and Cross Architects, is a 21-story building in the heart of Midtown. Once known as the Postum Building, the property was the first building on Park Avenue to take advantage of above-ground air rights resulting from the construction of Grand Central Terminal. The 540,885 s/f structure features full and partial floor spaces with modern infrastructure and flexible floor plates. The stone lobby offers a classic aesthetic and elevators boast wood-trimmed corridors. 250 Park Ave. is equipped with state-of-the art security and HVAC systems, fiber-optic telephone lines and is Energy Star rated. Retail tenants include HSBC and People’s Bank. The building is two-blocks away from Grand Central Terminal and its subway hub which includes the 4,5,6,7 and S trains.