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LONG ISLAND CITY, NY-Rockrose Development Corp. has signed its first retail lease at its East Coast luxury rental complex. Duane Reade, a convenience store company, has signed a 15-year lease for 10,000 sf in the projects second of two towers.

Adjoining the Duane Reade there is an additional 20,000 sf of retail space that Rockrose is looking to fill with a grocer. "At this point it is just a matter of matching the right grocer with the neighborhood we are creating. The interest in the area has been incredible," said Rockrose Vice President Patricia Dunphy in a statement.

The East Coast project, located here on 22 acres along the waterfront, will contain 2.9 million sf of mixed-use space, including 2,900 luxury apartments. By the end of 2007, the two rental buildings are expected to be completed, the first, a 32-story tower at 4720 Center Blvd., is nearing completion now and has begun accepting rental contracts. It is already 80% occupied. The rest of the 8-phase project is scheduled to be complete by 2012.