On the NYC retail leasing scene last month, gyms and restaurants continued to secure some of the largest deals in town, accounting for four of the 10 spots on this list. The top dog, however, was Ikea’s first Queens location, which beat out the next largest lease by more than 100,000 square feet.
September’s 10 biggest retail leases made public totaled 187,900 square feet, down 35 percent from August’s total of 291,100 square feet. The largest retail lease inked in September was in Rego Park.
The total does represent a considerable step up from that of the top 10 leases in September 2018.
1) Ikea, 61-35 Junction Boulevard, Rego Park – 115,000 square feet
The Swedish furniture giant signed a 10-year lease at its first Queens location. The store is slated to open this summer. CBRE represented the tenant while Robert Minutoli of Urban Edge Properties represented the landlord, Vornado Realty Trust.
2) First Republic Bank, 1 Grand Central Place, Grand Central – 14,430 square feet
The bank inked a lease for space across the first and second floors of 1 Grand Central Place. The site was formerly occupied by Bank of America. Frank Doyle and Eric Grace of JLL represented the tenant while Fred Posniak of Empire State Realty Trust represented the landlord in-house.
3) Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine, 630 Flushing Avenue, Bedford-Stuyvesant – 11,136 square feet
James Monteleone of All Points Real Estate represented the restaurant while Gautum Dua of Acumen Capital Partners represented the landlord in-house. Other tenants in the building include Heartbeet Juicery, FreshDirect, Fames Chocolate and Steve’s Ice Cream.
4) Metro Rock Climbing, 263 South 5th Street, Williamsburg – 10,000 square feet
The rock-climbing gym inked a lease at The Dime, a mixed-use development in Williamsburg also known as 263 South 5th Street. It will be Metro’s second Brooklyn location. Declan Devlin and Jarrett Sharp of Murro Realty represented the tenant while Alex Beard, Eric Fisher and Jason Pennington of Ripco Real Estate represented the landlord, Tavros Capital Partners.
5) Buy Buy Baby, 2175 Broadway, Upper West Side – 9,685 square feet
The Bed Bath & Beyond–owned children’s merchandise retailer inked a deal for the chain’s second Manhattan location. Gary Trock and Zach Parisi of CBRE represented the tenant, while David Abrams and Brandon Miller of Newmark Knight Frank represented the building’s landlord, Lophijo Realty.
6) Inked, 150 West 22nd Street, Chelsea – 8,500 square feet
The tattoo magazine inked a 10-year lease. Dennis Someck and Justin Myers of Lee & Associates NYC represented the tenant while Jay Fuller and M. Rapaport of M. Rapaport Co. represented the landlord in-house, alongside Eli Someck of Redwood Property Group.
7) Hopscotch Montessori School, 624 West 57th Street, Hell’s Kitchen – 6,855 square feet
The school inked a 20-year lease. Victoria Bokk of Versus Real Estate represented the tenant while Ashlea Aaron of the Durst Organization represented the landlord in-house, alongside JP Sutro and Richard Kave of Lee & Associates NYC.
8) Sephora, 139 Flatbush Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn – 5,500 square feet
The make-up retailer inked a lease for space next to Atlantic Terminal. Virginia Pittarelli of Crown Retail Advisors represented the tenant while Brandon Singer, Ian Lerner, Alan Schmerzler and Diana Boutross of Cushman & Wakefield represented the landlord, Madison International Realty.
9) John Wintermen & Chef Chris Cipollone, 134 Broadway, Williamsburg – 3,625 square feet
John Winterman, co-owner of Bâtard, and Chris Cipollone, former Piora chef, have signed a lease for an unnamed restaurant. Jarrett Sharp and Declan Devlin of Murro Realty represented both the tenants and the landlord, Caspi Development.
10) Orangetheory, 133-15 39th Avenue, Flushing – 3,200 square feet
The fitness chain inked a 10-year lease for space at Tangram, a large new development in Flushing also known as 133-15 39th Avenue. Craig Gelberg, Jessie Wang and Evan Schuckman of Ripco Real Estate represented the tenant while Seth Kessler and Ian Rice of SCG Retail represented the landlords, F&T Group and SCG America.