Manhattan's appeal to retailers is undeniable. Competition is fiercer than ever for prime retail space in the city's hottest shopping districts.

The focus on quality locations by major retailers plays right into W&H's portfolio-wide retail strategy. Specifically, we are expanding, consolidating and renovating retail space in our buildings to provide more and better opportunities for retailers of all sizes.

In the Herald Square District, for example, we have created two new multi-level blocks of high-visibility retail space.

At 1350 Broadway

The first high-profile block involves a 25,000-square-foot space at 1350 Broadway. Directly opposite Macy's flagship store, with a prominent presence on Herald Square, the space occupies the entire blockfront on the north side of Herald Square, offering part of the ground, second and lower levels, with large windows and more than 300 feet of wrap-around signage along Sixth Avenue and Broadway, with 20-foot ceiling heights on the ground level.

The block offers an unmatchable branding opportunity with an immediate starring role in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The total effect gives the bustling 24/7 location a major streetscape exposure, visible not only from everywhere in Herald Square, but also along Broadway and Sixth Avenue. Possession of the space is scheduled for January 1, 2008. "We're getting close to announcing the winner for this hotly-contested space," says Jeffrey Roseman, executive vice president of Newmark Knight Frank, managing and leasing agent for the building.

At 1333 Broadway

A second W&H big-box initiative on Herald Square will soon be available at 1333 Broadway - right next to Macy's flagship store. With as much as 68,400 square feet on three levels, and more than 500 feet of wraparound signage on Broadway, 35th and 36th Streets, the space is a big-box retailer's dream come true.

"We are just beginning to make the August 2008 availability of this space known to the largest and best-known retailers," says Mr. Roseman. "They know that the 1350 and 1333 opportunities are exceedingly rare, and they want the high-traffic, seven-day-a-week locations."

At 112 West 34th Street

Directly across 34th Street from Macy's is 112 West 34th Street, now the site of Billabong's second Manhattan store. In this instance, ownership combined a building upgrade with the creation of a beautiful retail space - which was jumped on by this fast-growing sports apparel company -- by right-sizing the lobby during its recent renovation, thus creating a highly sought-after location on 34th Street, reflected by the record rent that was secured by owner's agent, Joanne Podell of Cushman & Wakefield.

At 250 West 57th Street

Another innovative project is in the works at 250 West 57th Street, in the center of the thriving Columbus Circle district, a few short blocks from the Time Warner Center, Central Park and the Hearst Building. Ownership is creating a 45,000-square-foot, multi-level retail space with massive street frontage. "This will be the neighborhood's most exciting retail space to become available since the successful Time Warner retail project was completed," notes Ms. Podell. Keep your eye out for further details in upcoming issues of W&H Talk.

At the Empire State Building

At the Empire State Building, W&H is implementing a retail strategy targeting the building's two natural markets. On 34th Street, Andrew Goldberg of CB Richard Ellis, the property's leasing agent, is combining and improving our availabilities to attract national retailers, who are eager to join the retail community along the 34th Street corridor. On 33rd Street, we're focused on a range of smaller tenant amenities and service providers, already home to FedEx Kinko's, Cafe Europa and Walgreens. Says Goldberg, "Ownership has just concluded a new 8,400-square-foot lease for Starbucks on 34th Street that encompasses three levels, and we are working to create an indoor street of shops to service the tenant population on 33rd Street to dovetail with our new lobby restoration/upgrade."

In short, W&H is developing some of the greatest and most innovative retail opportunities in the hottest neighborhoods. But they won't be available for long, so if you're a retailer or a broker representing a retailer, call today. These opportunities are too good to miss!