The leasing team is currently looking for 2,500 sf to 5,000 sf of space across the country for high-end retailers Judith Leiber, Leggiadro and Dusica Dusica. The expansions follow a continuous rise in retail numbers since Christmas, Consolo says. "Retail had the best Christmas since 1999 and the numbers have continued to go up every month," she adds.

For Judith Leiber, the leasing team is looking at space in Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and on Manhasset, NY's Miracle Mile. The pair is also looking in Miami and on Manhasset's Miracle Mile for Leggiadro, as well as in Atlanta and Dallas. In addition, the team is shopping for space in Los Angeles for Dusica Dusica, Consolo says. She contends the movement among high-end retailers is a sign that people are looking for quality. "It is a return to things of quality," Consolo explains. "Luxury never really left us but its just coming back in a bigger and better way."

Overall, Consolo and Aquino are looking for additional space for their retail clients in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Boston and Miami. And these locations rank among the top 10 most expensive shopping streets to be on in North America. New York's Fifth Avenue tops the list with $1,200 per sf rents in 2004, up from $950 in 2003. The city's E. 57th Street and Madison Avenue followed closely behind with rents at $1,000 per sf and $850 per sf, respectively. "Across the board retail is thriving, and number one is New York," she says. "Everyone comes here to shop and the number one entertainment for tourists is shopping."