Sunday, May 10, 2015

Report: Retail announcements likely coming this summer for the IBM Watson building


[EVG file photo]

While the office component of 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/the Death Star is now fully operational leased, the retail spaces have remained empty for nearly two years. (Well, there is the showroom for Ian Shrager's incoming hotel-condo tower at 215 Chrystie, but that's just temporary. The showroom/sales office, not 215 Chrystie.)

The Real Deal explored some of the reasons why in an article this past week.

Such as!

Listing broker Patrick Smith of SRS Real Estate Partners said that the angular building presented a “bit of a puzzle” in terms of space configuration and said that Astor Place represents an “emerging retail corridor” that is forced to fill the gap between more popular retail destinations such as Union Square and Soho.

But! According to the article, expect to see some activity in this emerging 51 Astor retail corridor soon.

Three of the five retail spaces currently have leases out and they are in active pursuit on the other two — seeking a specialty fitness and a food tenant that sells prepared meals, according to Smith. [Developer Edward] Minskoff claims that Smith’s assessment of the leasing situation is modest, and that they are in fact finalizing leases for 100 percent of the retail space, to be announced within 30 to 40 days.

Previously on EV Grieve:
3 retail spaces available at 51 Astor Place (22 comments)

You can finally shop at 51 Astor Place!

21 comments:

DrGecko said...

Specialty fitness? Like Aerobics for Vampire Squids?

Anonymous said...

How about the world's largest e-smoke shop and bong emporium?

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for these local stores to open.

Anonymous said...

Food is the only thing that makes sense there. Hats off to the architect who designed a retail un-friendly space. Genius.

Anonymous said...

I'm hoping for a drug store or a bank.

Anonymous said...

Woo.

Anonymous said...

They should turn it into a Chelsea Market kind of space. Clothing, or any other kind of product orientated retail, won't work in that space. Much as that building itself doesn't work in that space.

Walter said...

With the utmost respect; but does any member of this blog really care about this?

Anonymous said...

But what does Watson think?!?!

Anonymous said...

It'll be a "chopped" or Salads-R-Us or something like that.

Anonymous said...

A CVS or the worlds largest walk in 24 hour ATM would fit the current flavor of the neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

Does Jeff Koons have any other bunnies he needs to store?

Anonymous said...

Actually, i would prefer a Uniqlo, or an H &M to some boring health food gym thing. I would even prefer Trader Joe's...

Anonymous said...

If there is a tenant filling occupancy problem it is definitely because of the pricing. Any of the aforementioned places in comments would love to be there. Astor is dense with residents nearby and heavy work commuting traffic. Hoping for some cool useful businesses incoming.

IzF said...

Maybe FuNkIBeRrY! can relocate here!

Anonymous said...

A bank inside a drugstore - or a drugstore inside a bank! With a Starbucks counter in either case.

Anonymous said...

Imagine a giant FUNKIBERRY sign on the Death Star. At least then it wouldn't look like a building straight out of a Silicon Valley real estate fire sale. 🍦

51 Astor Place said...

I think a tanning salon would be nice. Watson wants a place that sells sex toys.

Anonymous said...

A tanning salon makes sense too as the two walls of windows make it impossible to escape the sunlight.

Anonymous said...

"Retail corridor." Pffffffffffffft. This used to be a cool metropolis, now its little more than a big "retail corridor." This city has been degraded by the real estate industry.

Anonymous said...

3 to 4 people came out of the space next to St. John's, one was holding plans marked CVS.