A high-tech security firm that’s taking the pain out of queuing at airports and stadiums around the country has locked down a deal for office space at Park Avenue Tower.
EQ Office announced that CLEAR signed a new 10-year, 24,640 s/f lease at the 36-story luxury Plaza District office tower.
CLEAR, which uses biometrics to speed travelers and fans through security processes at airports, stadiums and high-profile venues, is relocating from 650 Fifth Avenue. It will occupy the entire 17th floor beginning in late 2018 and then add a portion of the 16th floor in early 2019 following a build out of the space on both floors.
The CLEAR deal follows a 65,000 s/f lease with global financial services firm BTIG, which signed a 15-year agreement in August, and the completion of a $40 million repositioning of Park Avenue Tower that has been credited for helping the owner secure 231,000 s/f of new leases with blue-chip financial firms, asset managers and innovators.
“When we embarked on the capital improvement program at Park Avenue Tower, we set out to create a culturally modern setting that would complement the building’s high ceilings, large windows, and efficient floor plates, while providing services that employees demand,” said Simon Wasserberger, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Director at EQ Office. “We are pleased to welcome CLEAR and know that their employees will benefit from the tower’s extensive amenity program and corporate offerings.”
The make-over included the creation of a 20,000 s/f amenity space on the concourse level of the tower called The Club. EQ Office partnered firms like FitLore and Convene to create and “integrated lifestyle and wellness amenity program” that features a fitness facility, business lounge and conference center.
The outdoor plaza also got a contemporary new design and the building’s mechanicals were upgraded as part of the modernization program.
Wasserman and Scott Silverstein represented EQ Office in the new deal with CLEAR along with a Newmark Knight Frank team of Brian Waterman, Ben Shapiro, Brent Ozarowski and Lance Korman. CLEAR was represented by Jared Horowitz of Newmark Knight Frank.
Park Avenue Tower is a 620,000 s/f tower located between 55th and 56th Streets and built in 1986. Other tenants include the National Bank of Canada, Oak Hill Capital Management, TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P., Eminence Capital, LLC, Stephens Inc., Avista Holdings, LLC, Cyrus Capital Partners, East Rock Capital Management, and ICM Partners.
