This wouldn't be the first move Ann Taylor has made of late. A few weeks ago, in a consolidation effort, the company signed on for 42,000 sf of office space in the Crown Corporate Campus in Milford, CT. That 15 years lease arrangement encompasses the entire second floor and a portion of the first floor for the company's data center and back office operations. Cushman & Wakefield officials who worked on that deal said Ann Taylor will relocate its data center from New York City and its operations group from space in New Haven to the Milford site. Studley, which is representing Ann Taylor in its Manhattan search, repped the company in this transaction as well. Those in the know about any possible deal either issued no comment or did not respond to inquiries on the topic.

Ann Taylor Stores Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ann Taylor Inc., is a specialty retailer of women's apparel, shoes and accessories. For the fiscal year ended January 31, the company reported net sales of nearly $1.6 billion, a 15% rise. Its reported net income rose 26% to $100.9 million. Company statements say revenues reflect an increase in the number of stores open as well as an increase in store square footage sales.