Toy Shows To Stay in NYC

NEW YORK CITY-Eight months before the 2006 Fall Toy Show, the Toy Industry Association’s board of directors has decided to keep the expo, along with the American International Toy Fair, in the city. Both shows will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. In addition, the board has decided to keep the shows here for “the foreseeable future.”TIA has tapped Newmark Knight Frank to handle at the real estate leasing issues for the toy shows. Managing director Moshe Sukenik is leading Newmark Knight Frank the team. “We are thrilled that the Toy Industry Association has decided to remain in New York City and are looking forward to working with TIA members and exhibitors in the site selection process,” Barry Gosin, vice chairman and CEO of Newmark Knight Frank says in statement.However, still unknown is whether or not the board of directors has chosen a new permanent home for the association. The TIA began its search after its former headquarters, the International Toy Center in the Flatiron District, was sold by Wein & Melkin for $355 million. The deal closed on April 4, 2005. Wein & Melkin owned the two-building property, totaling one million sf, for more than 50 years. The center, at 200 Fifth Ave. and 1107 Broadway, is now owned by 200 Fifth, LLC.A bulletin issued by the association last month stated the TIA Relocation Committee was working with “a major real estate firm in NYC in the continuing effort to find suitable locations for a new Toy Center or district. Numerous buildings have been investigated throughout the city and we are optimistic that suitable space will soon become available, but until a transaction is concluded we must continue to explore temporary solutions and alternative locations.”In October, the TIA board chose 110 Church St. for its new home, expecting to take about 400,000 sf of the one-million-sf site. However, less than a week later, the board of directors changed its mind , as GlobeSt.com previously reported. At that time, the TIA said the decision was based on “an extensive, continuing review of the toy industry’s needs. The TIA board concluded that 100 Church St., whose selection had been tentatively announced, will not satisfy those needs.”The Jan. 18 TIA bulletin added that 100 Church St. was still available, but the committee was seeking alternatives. The board of directors was expected to meet last week to review its options and consider its next step.