WHITE PLAINS, NY-Despite tough conditions for suburban office markets outside New York City, Westchester County is continuing to show strength. National law firm Wilson Elser inked a 15-year, 125,000-square-foot lease at 1133 Westchester Ave., a 600,000-square-foot class A office building owned by RPW Group in White Plains.
The company—which first opened its doors in Westchester in 1990 with 22,000 square feet—will relocate from its current home at 3 Gannett Dr. in West Harrison, NY come summer 2013. The firm, ranked by GlobeSt.com sister publication the National Law Journal as one of the top law firms in the country, has more than 300 attorneys and staff members.
The deal also signifies the firm’s continued commitment to staying close to its roots in the county. “In the middle of the recession that we are still going through, all New York City suburbs are suffering because companies are still contracting, but Westchester is extremely unique because it is probably the best location outside of New York for companies to settle within the New York region,” Robert P. Weisz, CEO of RPW Group, tells GlobeSt.com. “This deal is a confirmation of that. There are companies that will make a strong commitment.” Asking rents were in the low $30s per square foot, he added.
The building, located on a 74-acre site, features several amenities, including a cafeteria, executive dining room, coffee bar, sundries store, state-of-art gym, full-service hair salon, day care center, shuttle bus to the White Plains train station, dry cleaners, car wash and conference center.
These features, Weisz says, helped attract the tenant to the space. “I believe that these amenities, especially for lawyers that work so many hours, to have all these amenities makes a very big difference,” he says. “When you are staying overtime and working late in the evening, you have a place to eat and all these facilities that simplify life.”
Wilson Elser will be engaging its architect, John F. Borrelli, to design the space and oversee construction, who has designed more than 20 office spaces across the country for the firm. “This is a very exciting time for us,” commented Robert F. Roarke, regional managing partner of the New York metro area and the firm’s managing partner, in a statement. “1133 is a premier building set in an attractive and professional environment, with exemplary ownership. We look forward to this landmark move and thriving in our new home.”
The firm will join other tenants such as Chubb Insurance, EMC, Wells Fargo Securities, IBM, Provident Bank, George Little Management, Westchester County Association and ITT, which is headquartered in the building.
Wilson Elser was represented by the John Buck Company, along Howard Properties LTD in this transaction. RPW Group was represented by Cushman & Wakefield.
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