Meridian Capital Group’s Retail Leasing platform closed out its strongest year on record in 2025, completing approximately 400 retail leasing transactions as New York City’s retail market continued its steady recovery. The volume underscores the firm’s deep market penetration and its ability to execute consistently across a broad range of retail corridors, asset types, and deal profiles.
That momentum has carried decisively into 2026. In just the opening weeks of the year, the firm has signed more than 50,000 square feet across four transactions, reflecting strong tenant demand and a fast-moving start to the year. Recent deals include 138 Bowery, 62 Thomas Street, 515 West 38th Street, and 742 Ninth Avenue, spanning Downtown, Midtown, and the city’s West Side.
The breadth of this activity highlights Meridian’s positioning across multiple market segments. At 138 Bowery in Nolita, the firm leased more than 12,000 square feet of white-box space at the base of a boutique hotel, capitalizing on the neighborhood’s evolution into a premier dining destination. Meanwhile, the transaction at 62 Thomas Street in Tribeca involved a 12,300-square-foot former restaurant space with existing infrastructure. It was a different opportunity entirely, yet one that moved at a similarly accelerated pace. Both deals were completed within weeks of the new year, reflecting not only improved market conditions but the firm’s ability to efficiently align tenants with well-suited spaces.
“Retail Leasing in New York has clearly turned a corner,” said James Famularo, President of Meridian Retail Leasing. “We are seeing tenants make real decisions again, moving quickly on quality locations and committing to long-term growth. Closing more than 400 deals last year and starting 2026 with this level of activity speaks to the direction the market is heading.”
What distinguishes Meridian’s recent performance is less any single transaction than the range of execution. The firm continues to close deals in both established and emerging neighborhoods, for flagship concepts and neighborhood operators alike, across ground-floor retail and multi-level restaurant spaces. This diversity of deal flow supports sustained volume and positions the platform to remain responsive as tenant demand shifts across uses and locations.
The early velocity of 2026 also reflects a broader shift in deal dynamics. Lease negotiations that previously stretched for months are now resolving in weeks. Tenants are committing to 10- to 15-year terms with greater confidence, while landlords are showing increased flexibility around existing buildouts and fixtures, recognizing the value of speed to occupancy. Meridian’s ability to bridge tenant urgency with landlord pragmatism has emerged as a meaningful competitive advantage.
Looking ahead, Famularo remains measured yet optimistic about the year to come. “The fundamentals are improving, but more importantly, there is clarity returning to the market,” he said. “We expect 2026 to be defined by thoughtful expansion, with tenants prioritizing the right locations and landlords focused on long-term tenancy. That environment rewards experience and execution, and we are confident in how Meridian is positioned within the New York City retail landscape.”
Have a vacant space to lease or looking for the right location for a business? Your next leasing opportunity starts here. Get started today by reaching out to James Famularo, President and the brokers at Meridian Retail Leasing—New York City’s most active leasing team.
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