Brookfield Properties close to getting gourmet food market for WFC

Brookfield Properties is close to several deals for the under-renovation 200,000-square-foot retail space at the World Financial Center, the New York Observer reported. Jerry Larkin and David Cheikin, two top leasing executives at Brookfield, said that a transaction is close with an Eataly-style food operator who will take 30,000 square feet inside the space for a gourmet market.

Larkin said the company is about 60 days away from announcing their decision. Though the market will have some similarities to Eataly and the Grand Central Market, the World Financial Center market will differentiate itself with a slower pace and no internal restaurant components — rather, counters where customers can buy cheeses, meats and prepared foods.

There will be eat-in dining locations on the building’s second floor, where “prominent restaurateurs” will open several restaurants for a food court-style set-up, though no other details were mentioned. The space will look out toward the harbor.

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The two also told the Observer that Brookfield is now in advanced talks with a group of luxury retailers who they said will set up shop in the 40,000-square-foot retail complex at the WFC’s Vesey Street entrance.

As The Real Deal previously reported, the WFC retail renovation comes at a $250 million expense. According to sources, asking rents are between $150 and $400. The space will open in September 2013. [NYO]