[Photo via @IBM]
A few more details have emerged in the aftermath of last Thursday's announcement that IBM is opening a new business unit surrounding its "Jeopardy"-ass-kicking super computer at 51 Astor Place.
For starters, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that IBM beat out Twitter for the 120,000-square-foot space.
IBM moved quickly to secure its spot in the 12-story tower by Astor Square, negotiating the details of the lease in just four days, said Edward Minskoff, the building's developer. "Twitter's a wonderful company and I would love to have been able to do both deals," Mr. Minskoff said.
And!
The building has been renamed — Please welcome the IBM Watson building to the neighborhood!
Per the Journal, the 12-story building is more than half-rented—with IBM, a 71,000-square-foot lease with St. John's University and a 42,000-square-foot lease with 1stdib. Leases on another three floors three floors are being negotiated.
Minskoff had said he'd fully lease 51 Astor Place by the end of this month.