Since the launch of W&H Properties a little more than a year ago, media coverage has played an important role in increasing recognition of our brand. As we have built our reputation one step after another, influential journalists from the business and trade press have taken note of the ascent of the W&H portfolio into the ranks of well received and regarded Manhattan office buildings. Two recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and Crain's exemplify the growing interest in and attention to W&H.
First, in the Wall Street Journal, reporter Sheila Muto covered W&H's Show, Lease and Win™ and Refer, Lease and Win™ programs in her Plots & Ploys column. After describing the two programs, Ms. Muto noted that "In addition to filling space, W&H is using the program to Ôreintroduce' its recently renovated portfolio to brokers." She then quoted Anthony Malkin, president of supervisory services at Wien & Malkin, as saying that the purpose of the reintroduction was to "remove from [brokers'] minds the prior condition of the buildings."
Second, two W&H executives and a tenant were quoted in a Crain's article entitled "Up For Staying Put."
The article focused on the growing trend of tenant renewals within a tighter market. Regarding tenants' lack of interest in relocation, the article quoted Stephen P. Snell, the general manager of The Lincoln Building, who explained that tenants are "more prone to sign up early and less prone to play the field until the last minute."
The reporter also interviewed Guy I. Smiley, Sr. of Smiley & Smiley, a 36-year tenant of The Lincoln Building, whose photo accompanied the article. As the reporter explained, Smiley & Smiley "looked at half a dozen office buildings in the Grand Central area before its lease expired. But they couldn't find a comparable 3,400-square-foot office that had the same striking views and didn't need extensive renovations." The article ended with a quote from Mr. Smiley, who said, "Frankly, nothing came close to what we had."
