Fashion Company Relocates to 275,000 SF in Chelsea

NEW YORK CITY-In a consolidation and expansion effort, Ecko Unlimited, which is billed as the world’s largest urban apparel brand, will relocate its headquarters to 275,000 sf at 28 & 40 West 23rd St. in Chelsea. The transaction is the largest direct lease in Midtown South so far this year. The facility will include showroom space as well as sales, design and marketing operations.

Ecko, whose brands include Ecko Unlimited, Mark Ecko Collection, Zoo York and the G-Unit Clothing Co., has headquarter space in New Jersey and approximately 55,000 sf in various locations in the Garment District. Last September in one of 2003′s most notable transactions, Home Depot announced plans to open its first Manhattan location at the site and inked a deal for 108,000 sf.

“It’s not that important for them to be in the Garment District,” Jerome Cohen, chairman of GVA Williams parent company Williams Real Estate, owner of the site, tells GlobeSt.com. “Chelsea is improving and growing very well with new residential buildings. And there are some very substantial retailers.” Cohen says the site garnered inquiries from other “large, well known” fashion-oriented companies. Though he could not discuss the financial aspects of the Ecko deal, he did say the range for space in Chelsea is $18 to $35 per sf, depending upon amenities.