Columbus Circle’s underground retail space, Turnstile, has secured its first few tenants.
Eyewear purveyor Specs New York, tech-and-travel gear seller Bluwire and accessory spot Studio Manhattan have all inked leads for space in the shopping corridor, which is currently under construction between West 57th and West 58th streets. Scheduled to open in the spring, the tenants have signed on for a total of 1,250 square feet, each with a 10-year commitment.
Robin Abrams of the Lansco Corp handled the deals on behalf of the tenants and the landlord.
“The response from retailers has far exceeded our expectations at this stage,” Susan Fine, chief executive of Oases RE — the four-year-old development company in charge of the project — told Crain’s. Currently, she has commitments for over 50 percent of the project’s 26,000 square feet, Crain’s reported.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority brought Fine on board to handle the Columbus Circle station project last year, marking the first time the authority has tapped a private-sector firm to manage and operate its space. Oases currently holds a 20-year lease for the project site, and is charged with handling vacant storefronts. [Crain’s] — Julie Strickland