â—Ź cushman & wakefield
Belgian fave opens in NYC
Cushman & Wakefield represented EXKi, the Belgian Group of healthy fast casual restaurants serving fresh and natural foods, in a long-term lease at 257 Park Avenue South for its first U.S. restaurant. The chain anticipates a first quarter 2014 grand opening.
EXKi will occupy approximately 1,500 s/f on the ground floor and basement. Cushman & Wakefield’s retail brokerage professionals, Steven Soutendijk, senior director, and Nicolas Beausillon, partner in the firm’s Brussels office, collaborated in representing EXKi in the transaction. Randall Briskin of Jeffrey Management Corp. represented the landlord.
“We are thrilled to have assisted EXKi in their first Manhattan store,” said Soutendijk. “Their focus on quality ingredients is sure to resonate with New Yorkers, and we expect it to be a huge success. This location, with incredible footfall from both office workers and local residents, will serve as an ideal jumping off point for this impressive brand in the U.S.”
EXKi currently operates 70 restaurants in Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Other openings in NY are planned for the end of 2014 and early 2015.
â—Ź the shopping center group
Smashburger on a roll
The Shopping Center Group announced the signing of a 2,800 s/f lease for Smashburger at 1600 Marcus Avenue. According to Steve Gillman, who represents the franchisee exclusively in Long Island, “New Hyde Park has great potential because it’s a newly renovated center with a Petsmart under construction.
“The area also has strong daytime traffic with abundant office workers in the area as well as two nearby hospitals.”
This is the fourth Smashburger Gillman has signed in the past year with ISK Enterprises. Karalynn Holbrook represented the landlord, Acadia Realty Trust. Ken Schuckman of Schuckman Realty co-brokered the deal with Gillman who is actively looking for another 10 or so Long Island locations.
â—Ź brokfield properties
Another fast mover on the menu
Brookfield Office Properties Inc. announced that Tartinery, the modern French bistro created by Nicolas Dutko, Alicia Rountree and Patrick Derderian, will join the collection of quick-service eateries at Brookfield Place that will open in 2014.
The redesigned Brookfield Place will feature 14 chef-driven, casual eateries overlooking the New York Harbor.
Tartinery joins an eclectic group that includes Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue, Umami Burger, Dos Toros, Little Meunster, Skinny Pizza and Chop’t Creative Salad Company.
“We are delighted that this French standout will play a prominent role at Brookfield Place,” said Ed Hogan, Brookfield’s national director of retail leasing. Brookfield was represented in house by Jason Morrison as well as by Stephen Plourde of The McDevitt Company.
