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NEW YORK CITY-Two banks sign on the dotted line for retail space in Harlem. Bank of America inked a deal for more than 4,700 sf at 133-143 Lenox Ave for a branch location. Wachovia Bank NA has committed to 3,000 sf at 143 Lenox. It will be used for a full service financial center. Both will be on the ground floor of Lenox Gardens, a newly developed, two-building cooperative apartment complex.

The CB Richard Ellis Retail Services team of Matthew Gorman and Allison Winters oversaw the leasing campaign on behalf of the sponsor/developer and negotiated the lease transaction. Robert K. Futterman & Associates and Trammell Crow Company represented Bank of America. Jonathan Krivine of Garrick-Aug Retail Leasing repped Wachovia.

"The space at Lenox Gardens provides Bank of America a prime location to reach a vast customer base," says Gorman. "Its proximity to other retailers that have recently entered the neighborhood will certainly help the bank make an immediate impact in that market." He adds that Wachovia has a strong desire to be in Harlem. And, with more than 100 feet of window frontage, the Lenox Avenue location was well-suited to the banks requirement of a strong presence entering into a rapidly growing market."