High End Retailer Relocating From Manhattan to Yonkers

A luxury women’s retailer is relocating its mid-town Manhattan manufacturing space to … drumroll please — downtown Yonkers.

Rubin Paints

Leggiadro International Inc., which has stores on Madison Avenue, Beverly Hills, Nantucket, Naples and Santa Barbara, among other high end locales, is headed to Main Street in Yonkers. The company purchased 65 Main Street where it plans on converting the building into its design studio, cutting room, warehouse and outlet store. And they’re bringing 20 skilled workers, who according to Mayor Mike Spano, are pulling in an average of $70K a pop.

Leggiadro embraces European luxury fabrication techniques, and its artisans pay close attention to detail to ensure the highest quality possible. They use natural fabrics, woven and knit that are hand selected from the finest mills in France, Italy and Switzerland, according to the company.

The company is purchasing the building for $1.65 million and expects to invest another $1.4 million in construction, furnishings and fit out.

The four-story building, which has long been the home of Rubin Brothers Paint & Wallpaper Co., is way cool – and deceptively large.

LeggiadroNYC2012How do I know? Years ago, friends of mine used to live there. The open spaced, high ceiling lofts were something you’d see in Tribeca, Chelsea or Brooklyn. At a fraction of the cost.

In fact, whenever I talk about awesome open spaces apartments, 65 Main inevitably comes to mind, even 20 years after first stepping foot in the building. It’s really no wonder a fashion company sees the potential.

Mayor Spano called the luxury retailer’s relocation to Yonkers as “a clear signal that we are appealing to an ever wider variety of businesses.”

Leggiadro is joining other great companies such as Mindspark, ContraFect, The Energy Project and Yonkers Brewing, among many others who see the potential.

If you’re looking for the next Brooklyn or Hoboken, Yonkers is clearly the city to watch. Be Part of It @generationyonkers.com.

It’s Cold Out There, But Untermyer Gardens is Going to Be Hot this Spring

untermyerIf you haven’t been over to Untermyer Gardens recently – and by recently, I mean when it was actually warm and sunny – you really ought to put it on your to-do list for the spring.

Why?

In addition to simply thinking about warmer temps at the moment, the nonprofit group Untermeyer Gardens Conservancy has doubled downed on Miracle-Gro and raised a ton of green to make some exciting improvements to the gardens, according to my former TJN colleague Bill Cary, who recently wrote about how supporters have been bringing the gardens “back from ruin for the last four years.”

Three major capital projects, totaling $500,000, are poised to improve the 44-acre public park in Yonkers. Among the improvements are restoring the Temple of Love; relining water canals in the Walled Garden; and hiring more gardeners, among some other exciting changes in programing including a June gala where Martha Stewart has agreed to serve as an honorary chair.

Improvements to Untermyer are a fraction of the exciting things happening in Yonkers. Be Part of it @GenerationYonkers.com.

Read more about these exciting changes at LoHud.com or check out Untermyer Gardens’ website.

How to Find the Perfect Office Space in NY

Finding the right office space in NY for your business can be a daunting task.

Follow these five guidelines to simplify the process.

The Perfect Office Space in NY

Location, Location, Location. Although New York City may be your company’s first choice, exorbitant rents and overly compact spaces are often deal breakers. As an alternative, consider relocating to nearby Yonkers. With over four-and- a-half miles of waterfront property, some of Westchester’s largest corporate parks, and premium industrial, commercial and warehouse space—you can’t go wrong!

Find the Right Broker. You will be working with this person day in and day out, so chemistry is important. A high-pressure sales person will drive you crazy while an indecisive broker can be just as frustrating. It’s important to find someone who is familiar with commercial real estate as well as the geography of the location you are looking at.

Don’t Rent More Space Than You Need. Remember the rules of retail—it’s not a great deal if you don’t need it. This is especially true for startups; avoid wasting money on space your organization doesn’t need.

Is Your Perfect Office Space in NY, Perfect—As Is? Or does it require minor layout changes? If so, find out if the landlord contributes to tenant improvements (TI). Ask about nearby parking options. Also, inquire as to which amenities, if any, are included.

Last But Not Lease…(we couldn’t resist!) If everything works—except for the lease—than that’s a problem. Scour the contract for hidden costs and fees. Find out if utilities are included, and if not, request an estimate. If necessary, hire a real estate lawyer to review the lease.