New York Post: COOKFOX Trots to Midtown

Lois Weiss – New York Post

CookFox is moving from Ladies’ Mile to Midtown.

The architectural firm has signed a 16-year deal for the full 17th floor of 18,250 square feet at 250 W. 57th St. at Broadway, where they will move in early 2017. Mary Ann Tighe, Gerry Miovski, Brendan Herlihy and Arkady Smolyansky of CBRE represented the tenant, which appreciates the former Fisk Building’s architectural pedigree that includes Carèrre & Hastings as well as Shreve, Lamb & Blake.

The Empire State Realty Trust ownership was repped by Harry Blair of Cushman & Wakefield and had an asking rent of $60 per square foot. A new lobby is in the works for the building, which is close to several of the tall 57th Street towers now heading skywards.

CookFox will be leaving its LEED Platinum offices at 641 Ave. of the Americas that includes a 3,600-square-foot planted terrace.
But its beekeeper will carefully tote its 50,000-plus bees north to enjoy nearby Central Park from two beautiful and accessible terraces that wrap around both Broadway and Eighth Avenue.

“We couldn’t afford to stay on Ladies’ Mile and had to move to Billionaire’s Row,” joked partner Rick Cook. “We believe in the connection to nature and it is beneficial towards having a productive workplace.”

Known for its sustainable design and buildings — like One Bryant Park — CookFox is now working on projects that include 300 Lafayette St. at Houston Street and City Point in Brooklyn.