Magnet for Top Retailers

Macy's, the world's #1 department store, and one of the main attractions of the area, has such neighbors as Borders, Old Navy, H&M, Sephora, Foot Locker, Gap, Victoria's Secret, Zara, Steve Madden, American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Forever 21, Bebe, Express, and Billabong, the fast-growing global sports apparel company that recently leased space at 112 West 34th Street at a record rent for the Corridor. And now JC Penney is planning to establish a 150,000-square-foot flagship store in Herald Square's Manhattan Mall. It's no surprise, therefore, that Women's Wear Daily recently described the area as "one of the strongest retail markets in Manhattan."

New Industry Representation

It's not only retailers that are changing the neighborhood landscape. Although many famous designers still call the area home, many non-fashion businesses have moved in of late, taking advantage of 34th Street's outstanding transportation options and proximity to Penn Station and the Port Authority Terminal. More than half of the area's employees, in fact, are in industries unrelated to fashion.

The tenant rosters of W&H buildings reflect this vibrant mix. 1359 Broadway, for example, houses not only fashion powerhouses such as Kohl's Department Stores and Li & Fung, but also the technology companies i-Deal and Keane, Inc. Tenants at 501 Seventh Avenue include Warnaco and Carolina Herrera, but also the New York Power Authority and the nonprofit LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation). And at the Empire State Building, you can find FUBU, one of the nation's fastest-growing sportswear companies, along with Taylor Communications, Lufthansa, and Alitalia.

Redefining Midtown

"The shift in tenancies has really changed the borders of Midtown," says Fred C. Posniak of W&H. "Access to mass transit, higher quality retail, and the change in tenant mix today make Herald Square and the 34th Street Corridor just as much a part of Midtown as Grand Central. This is abundantly clear from the increasing numbers of calls our leasing agents at 112 West 34th Street, 1333 Broadway, 1350 Broadway, 1359 Broadway, 501 Seventh Avenue and the Empire State Building have been getting from brokers representing quality tenants seeking office space in Midtown."

BID Programs

As places to work, Herald Square and the 34th Street Corridor are more hospitable than ever, thanks to the efforts of The Fashion Center and the 34th Street Partnership, the two area Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Both BIDs implement programs that enhance the safety and appearance of the area, including streetscape and local parks improvements, and sanitation and security services.

If you haven't toured the area recently, you're in for some pleasant surprises. The same holds true for W&H's seven properties in the Herald Square/34th Street Corridor. Why not stop by and see firsthand some of the top-to-bottom improvements that have recently been completed or are now underway? All seven properties are within a few blocks, at most, from one another. No appointment is ever needed, so stop by anytime. You're always welcome.