UPDATED, May 3, 10:48 a.m.: Blink Fitness went on a leasing spree last month, securing three of the top spots on this list. The rest of the list features an eclectic mix of schools, wineries, virtual golf simulators and salon rental companies.
All together, April’s top 10 retail leasing deals totaled less than March’s in terms of square footage.
The 10 biggest retail lease deals signed last month totaled 178,200 square feet, down 15,900 square feet from March’s total of 194,100 square feet. The largest retail lease in April was inked in Chelsea.
The total is also a big step down from that of the top ten retail leases in April of last year, which added up to about 313,900 square feet.
1) City Winery, Pier 57, Chelsea – 32,000 square feet
The wine maker and music venue inked a lease for 32,000 square feet of space at Pier 57. The tenant plans to move in around the end of the year. Peter Braus of Lee & Associates NYC represented the tenant while William Elder of RXR Realty represented the landlords, RXR Realty and Youngwoo & Associates.
2) Foot Locker, 605 West 181st Street, Washington Heights – 25,000 square feet
The shoe retailer signed a 10-year lease for 25,000 square feet of space at 605 West 181st Street, where it plans to build an experiential sneaker store. The store, which will feature a barber shop, is based on a model which has already seen success from Detroit to Hong Kong. Evan Schuckman of Ripco represented the tenant while Henry Henderson of Marx Realty represented the landlord in house.
3) FlyingTee, Empire Outlets, St. George – 22,000 square feet
The indoor golf simulator inked a lease for 22,000 square feet of space at the Empire Outlets development in Staten Island. The new venue will be its third when it opens next year. Matt Mardis and Brian Paine of Paine & Associates represented the tenant while James Prendamano of Casandra Properties represented the landlord, BFC Partners.
4) Blink Fitness, 5901 Flatlands Avenue, Flatlands – 18,000 square feet
The gym signed a 15-year lease for 18,000 square feet of space at 5901 Flatlands Avenue, as part of a plan to target underserved markets. Ezra Saff of Retail Zone represented the tenant. The building’s landlord is Laundry Capital.
5) Salons by JC, 127 East 59th Street, Upper East Side – 16,253 square feet
The salon space rental concept signed a 15-year lease for 16,253 square feet of space at 127 East 59th Street. The space was previously occupied by Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn. Michael Davis of Compass represented the JC Salons franchisees, Barrett Tuttle and Shaurja Ray of Court Stone Management. Jeffrey Roseman and Drew Weiss of Newmark Knight Frank represented the landlord, Benenson Capital Partners.
6) Blink Fitness, 1134 Fulton Street, Bedford-Stuyvesant – 15,100 square feet
The gym signed a 15-year lease for all 15,100 square feet of space at 1134 Fulton Street. Ezra Saff of Retail Zone represented the tenant while Scott Sher of Katz & Associates represented the landlord, Joseph Brunner.
7) Blink Fitness, 2465 Jerome Avenue, University Heights – 15,000 square feet
For its third appearance on this list, the gym inked a lease for 15,000 square feet of space at 2465 Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. Ezra Saff of Retail Zone represented the tenant while Cory Zelnik of Zelnik & Company represented the landlord, BLDG.
8) Goldfish Swim School, 255-01 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks – 9,660 square feet
The swim school inked a 10-year lease for 9,660 square feet of space at 255-01 Union Turnpike. Steve Gillman of SCG Retail represented the tenant. The building’s landlord is Feil Organization.
9) Greenwich Gourmet Market, 378 Sixth Avenue, Greenwich Village – 8,200 square feet
The market inked a 21-year lease for 8,200 square feet of space at 378 Sixth Avenue, formerly occupied by a Duane Reade. Mark Kapnick and Mike Watson of Lee & Associates NYC represented the tenant while Brett Weinblatt of Compass represented the landlord, Friedland Properties.
10) Vivvi, One Hudson Square, Soho – 7,500 square feet
The corporate preschool operator inked a 12-year lease for 7,500 square feet of space at One Hudson Square. The space will become a new campus, capable of accommodating 90 students. Jared London of CBRE represented the tenant while Frank Reiser of Tungsten Property represented the landlord, Trinity Real Estate.