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!
at

21 comments:

  1. DrGeckoMay 10, 2015 at 8:47 AM

    Specialty fitness? Like Aerobics for Vampire Squids?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 9:36 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 9:49 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 10:23 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 11:58 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 12:46 PM

    Woo.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  8. WalterMay 10, 2015 at 1:11 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    But what does Watson think?!?!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 3:11 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 3:15 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 6:49 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 8:35 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 10:08 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  15. IzFMay 10, 2015 at 10:15 PM

    Maybe FuNkIBeRrY! can relocate here!

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 11:38 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousMay 11, 2015 at 1:13 AM

    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. 🍦

    ReplyDelete
  18. 51 Astor PlaceMay 11, 2015 at 8:02 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousMay 11, 2015 at 10:25 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousMay 11, 2015 at 11:55 AM

    "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.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousMay 11, 2015 at 1:07 PM

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

    ReplyDelete

Your remarks and lively debates are welcome, whether supportive or critical of the views herein. Your articulate, well-informed remarks that are relevant to an article are welcome.

However, commentary that is intended to "flame" or attack, that contains violence, racist comments and potential libel will not be published. Facts are helpful.

If you'd like to make personal attacks and libelous claims against people and businesses, then you may do so on your own social media accounts. Also, comments predicting when a new business will close ("I give it six weeks") will not be approved.