“Its exposure and visibility is unparalleled to anything else, because even if you’re on the other side of Ninth Avenue, your visibility is limited,” Melinda Miller of Winick Realty told The Commercial Observer last week.

After the jump, Ms. Miller points out some of the more unique features of Meatpacking District space, which Winick began marketing last week.

Downtown continues to be repositioned as a retail destination with Brookfield Place, One World Trade Center and the redeveloped South Street Seaport expected to house hundreds of thousands of square feet of shopping space. Not to be outdone, Herald Square is looking at a repositioning, aimed not at discount stores but full-priced international retailers.

After the jump, The Commercial Observer pinpoints 10 retail trends impacting New York City.

The conflict came to a climax last year when Christine Quinn, democratic candidate for mayor, snarled, “As long as Walmart’s behavior remains the same, they’re not welcome in New York City.” Last week, The Commercial Observer spoke with some of New York’s leading retail brokers about the role of politics in retail real estate, what Walmart can do to ingratiate itself and which locations, if any, are suited to its footprint.

Faith Hope Consolo
Chairman, Douglas Elliman Retail

The Commercial Observer: With some New York politicians, including Christine Quinn, balking at the idea of Walmart coming to New York, do you think government should play a role or have a significant voice in real estate issues?

I think they will always have input. We will always have people that are pro retail and others that are not. Personal views come into how they try to control the growth. I know all the arguments for and against Walmart. I think if you talk to the developers, who are on both sides—if you talk to someone as smart as Related, for instance—they understand politics has a role, but they also understand the value of having the 800-pound gorilla on the street.

Look at when we brought in K-Mart [to Manhattan]. A few months later, everyone was thanking us, because it brought traffic and great advertising dollars to the area. I also think that at this time, more than any time, we can put a lot of people to work. Consumers want access to the same types of products at the same prices; it is important to give them choices. It is not much different than our own homegrown Fairway growing in the city.

This is value-oriented shopping. We’ve done it with fashion. Now we can do it with Walmart.

What does Walmart need to do be become a more attractive option for New York?
I was on a panel with [George Kinnard, vice president of realty at Walmart]. He said they were looking at structuring some special-type stores for each neighborhood. They could do something called an express store, which not only wouldn’t be as large, but it would have a lot of services: delivery and pickup to minimize the impact on the neighborhood. They need to provide access to all the products but make it very user-friendly.

They need to do what everybody does—kiss up to all the community boards. There’s always going to be the naysayers, but they need to do what fast food did: contribute to the neighborhood.

Say they went into the Bronx or part of Queens that needed development, or maybe they donate a park. Maybe they do a co-op with schools to hire students. This is a city very, very focused on education. That type of incentive is one way to endear themselves to the community.

Are there any potential locations that jump out?
In my opinion, anywhere they would go—whether it’s all the way north or all the way east—people would find their way there. They have the logistics and operational part to figure out. They don’t need to be at the corner at 14th Street and Fifth Avenue. They could be at the corner of 11th Avenue and 11th Street.

Is there a time line?
They’ve been working on this for years—working on it constantly. I can’t predict it. We don’t know the site and we don’t know the developer. It depends: if its Vornado or Related, it would move faster. It’s going to go well, depending on who they make the deal with.

I have nothing against Walmart coming here, and I don’t even shop the store. I have represented properties that they have visited, but I haven’t represented them. They’re focused on this. You’re not going to wear them out. They’ve got a bottomless budget.

If they want to do it, they’re going to spend the money to figure it out.
Christine Emery
Executive Managing Director, Emery Staav at MHP

The Commercial Observer: With some New York politicians, including Christine Quinn, balking at the idea of Walmart coming to New York, do you think government should play a role or have a significant voice in real estate issues?

I’m a real city girl. I don’t know if I’ve shopped it enough to have a real opinion. It’s like IKEA in Brooklyn. I love IKEA and how they’re using people from the neighborhood, but I think they should train them efficiently.

I believe government as it represents the public has a role. Of course, I think that it has to be devoid of silliness. Look at Barnes & Noble: a lot of bookstores disappeared when they started doing the big-boxes. Slowly but surely, it sunk into people’s consciousness that small proprietors had a role. I think people go into shock, but if they’re good retailers they won’t go out of business because of the big-boxes.

I always think there’s room for everyone in the marketplace

You mentioned IKEA; do you think Walmart should follow that model?
I think IKEA does take it seriously. But to really, really train people takes an unbelievable amount of time and energy, and I think [the public] would take that to heart a bit more, if Walmart were to do that. If the amount of money [employees are] making is less, if they’re receiving training, they can take that with them to the next spot and build their résumé.

Are there any potential locations that jump out?
The outer boroughs are used to it, to a degree. If they did a mini one, they should put it in the middle of Staten Island. It would be a home run.

Or they could do what Home Depot has done—little hubs.

If they get smart and choose wisely, there are a lot of different things they could do. They could go down to the Financial District, if they’re willing to take basements and subbasements. But it’ll be tough for them.

Do you think it’s something we will see?
Look at Nordstrom: they found something, but why do they think they need to be in Manhattan? There are a lot of reasons to be here, so it will be interesting.

I know Target, but that has a twist—the design element. Walmart is something else, and they’re also online, but I suppose bricks and mortar has its appeal.
Robert Futterman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, RKF

The Commercial Observer: With some New York politicians, including Christine Quinn, balking at the idea of Walmart coming to New York, do you think government should play a role or have a significant voice in real estate issues?
No, I don’t. I see real estate as “as of right.” Without it, you wouldn’t have development, wouldn’t have innovative retail and wouldn’t have neighborhood gentrification. No one is talking about changing any codes if it’s as of right.

What does Walmart need to do to make itself more palatable?
They could create a more urban prototype and show similarities to Target and Costco. Look at what Target did in Chicago. They opened in an old department store with 80,000 square feet.

I was out at my country house, and my girlfriend said, “Let’s go to Target,” and I said: “There’s a K-Mart 15 minutes away. Why drive to a Target that’s 45 minutes away?” Close your eyes, walk in and open them, they’re the same thing.

The difference is not that great. Are prices better? Maybe. Are they going to be putting retailers out of business? I don’t think so.

Why is one okay but not another? I think people are making much too much out of the issue.

Are there any potential locations that jump out at you?
It’s still hard to find the space. I’ve worked with Costco, I’ve worked with Target, and I’ve worked with Walmart to identify locations.

Walmart had parameters, which were for more ownership than lease, which is never ideal for Manhattan landlords.

It is hard to find space in a central business district. It’s hard to find it in Union Square, Herald Square or Soho. Are there pockets Downtown? Yes. There’s Downtown, the Far West Side and Upper Manhattan

If you go back 10 to 15 years, a lot of those areas would be considered remote, but with all the activity, it doesn’t seem so remote anymore. You have people willing to work and live in that part of town; it’s much less remote, much less pioneering.

If they can get the box down to 80,000 to 150,000 square feet, it would be less imposing. They could compare themselves with Target or Costco.

Will we see a Walmart?
It’s polarizing. The legislature in Albany would have to get behind it, and I think Walmart has done everything it can to show it’s not the evil empire.

The proof’s in the pudding with Costco and Target, who have gotten the opportunity. I would hope we would see a Walmart in the next five years

Are you still working with them?
It’s been a while since I’ve worked with them. Maybe they’ve just gotten discouraged. We had put together sites 18 months to two years ago, but not since.

Patrick Breslin
Executive Vice President, Studley National Retail Group

The Commercial Observer: With some New York politicians, including Christine Quinn, balking at the idea of Walmart coming to New York, do you think government should play a role or have a significant voice in real estate issues?
The last time I checked, this was the United States of America and this was the land of the free.
There are exceptions to the rule; you don’t want any creepy retailers. But Walmart? A lot of people say when they come in they kill the existing businesses, but on the other hand, they’re a major employer and a major vendor of purchasing goods.

I don’t think there’s any place for politicians to get involved in free trade.

So what does Walmart have to do to become more attractive?
The only issue is with the unions. Unions and politicians go hand in hand in this country. A lot of politicians rely on unions to get elected.

Is that the reason for the political pushback?
This goes way back, even when Vornado was trying to put them in Rego Park in Queens. I have never heard a legitimate reason politicians would be involved. In Rego Park there were no zoning issues. That type of tenant was allowed there. Walmart would have just been replacing a department store. I fully do believe unions had a say.

Are there any potential locations you have seen?
Except for Manhattan, where it’s hard to find their footprint. In the outer boroughs there are an abundance of properties that could fit into their criteria with no problems.

What about introducing smaller stores?
They have a prototype, like any other retailer—they know what works for them. There’s no better place than New York for a retailer like that. We have everything they need: bodies, buying power, properties. Zoning may be an issue, but nothing that can’t be overcome.

They have been operating in New Jersey and Long Island for years and years and years. I can’t speak for a Walmart opening up in a small town in Midwest and being a detriment, but here I don’t think that would be a factor. Target is here and came in without any problems whatsoever. Walmart just has a bad aura about its name.

I don’t like seeing mom and pops getting put out of business, but the people who shop there, it’stheir prerogative to shop where they want. I think they should let them come and make the New Yorkers make the decisions.

The biggest thing for me is jobs. They create jobs and create a tax base. With the way the economy is, we still have a lot of people without jobs in this city.

Instead of putting an ice rink up in the Bronx at the Armory, they should put a Walmart there.

Documents viewed by the Huff Post indicate that as part of the owners’ $782.8 million mortgage deal, financed jointly by Citigroup and Deutsche Bank and being marketed to investors via commercial mortgage backed securities, bankers expect management at the property to begin charging the The Four Seasons market rents, which according to the documents are determined to be $125 per square foot.

When reached for comment, Alex Von Bidder, co-owner of the restaurant, indicated he had not heard of a potential rent increase and had not been approached by management.

"The rent negotiation is nonexistent at this point," Von Bidder told the Huff Post on Wednesday.

However, as a designated landmark, the restaurant’s interior, including its staircases, dining room and metal drapery cannot be altered, according to the report, giving The Four Seasons some leverage in its upcoming rent negotiations.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal earlier this week, RFR Realty has taken full ownership of the Seagram Building after it had paid off other stakeholders. The firm, lead by Aby Rosen and Michael Fuchs, borrowed approximately $1 billion to refinance their debt on the building, according to the report.

The first offering is a prebuilt program, which Delta Dental has taken advantage of on the building’s sixth floor in a 2,348-square-foot space. The other is the PIO, or prepared for immediate occupancy program, which law firm Weinman Schnee Morais has opted for in a 1,862-square-foot suite on the 22nd floor.

Fred Posniak, senior vice president of Malkin Properties, spoke to The Commercial Observer about both leasing programs and spaces, offering details on the differences between them and how they appeal to individual tenants.

“Boutique financial firms are still the sweet spot for the building,” Cynthia Wasserberger of Jones Lang LaSalle, told The Commercial Observer. The majority of the spaces at the property are prebuilt or that the landlord, Boston Properties, is building for the tenant.

The individual leases, spread out across six firms, were all recently closed. The largest leases include a 4,227-square-foot deal for Waterfront Capital Partners and 3,950 square feet for Oak Circle Capital Partners. Both firms were represented by Newmark Grubb Knight Frank in their respective transactions.

“High-end financial service guys don’t want to lift a finger building out space,” noted David Emden, director at NGKF, who represented Oak Circle, of Boston Properties prebuild program, which usually permits for only two tenants per floor.

The property benefits from being the former New York headquarters of Steve Cohen’s SAC Capital, which relocated to 510 Madison Avenue. “It has all the infrastructure,” Mr. Emden said.

Between pending deals and the deals recently completed, 540 Madison boasts availability on a “handful” of floors at the base of the building and some small floor plates in the tower section, according to Ms. Wasserberger.

As reported earlier, World Class Capital chose 540 Madison Avenue for its first New York location, signing a 2,723-square-foot lease in March.

Acquired with Two Grand Central Tower by a Boston Properties joint venture from Macklowe Properties for a combined $705 million in 2008, 540 Madison Avenue features floor plates ranging from 4,000 to nearly 11,000 square feet. Built in 1970, the Plaza District building was completely renovated in 1999.

A Jones Lang LaSalle leasing team comprised of Ms. Wasserberger, David Kleiner and Randy Abend represents Boston Properties at 540 Madison Avenue.

“They had a lease that had a little bit of term left to go, but they want to do some work in the space, so they just wanted to put a little bit more term on the lease,” Dennis Brady, executive managing director at Jack Resnick & Sons, the landlord, told The Commercial Observer.

The tenants, physicians associated with Lenox Hill Hospital, which was acquired by North Shore-LIJ in 2010, have been in the building for approximately 15 years and will continue to occupy the 8^th, 9^th and 10^th floors of the 37-story building.

“As North Shore-LIJ expands its New York City presence, we are pleased that 110 East 59th Street will remain a key Manhattan location for this highly respected healthcare organization,” added Jonathan Resnick, President of Jack Resnick & Sons, in a prepared statement.

The 500,000-square-foot Class A building also counts Cantor Fitzgerald, Estee Lauder and IMAX Corporation among its tenants. The landlord is currently marketing a 3,400-square-foot space in the tower portion of the property, where asking rents are $110 per square foot.

Mr. Brady represented the landlord in the transaction. The tenant was represented by Brian Waterman and Brent Ozarowski of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank.

NGKF did not immediately return requests for comment.

“After a two-year search of both Midtown South and Downtown, which included inspections of over 50 properties, AIChE elected to relocate to 120 Wall Street, one of the few buildings to provide an incentive program for not-for-profits,” said Leon Manoff, vice chairman at Colliers International, who represented the tenant, in a prepared statement.

The nonprofit is relocating from 3 Park Avenue and will occupy 120 Wall Street’s entire 23^rd floor later this year. Asking rents at the property were in the upper-$30s per square foot, according to a Crain’s report earlier this week.

Designated as an Association Center, 120 Wall Street is part of an incentive program sponsored by the State of New York through the Empire State Development Corporation which includes a real estate tax exemption in exchange for leasing to nonprofits.

“We welcome AIChE to 120 Wall Street as a valued participant of the not-for-profit program,” said Roger Silverstein, of Silverstein Properties, represented the landlord in-house. “We look forward to a wonderful working relationship."

The 34-story building has been undergoing a capital improvement plan including modernization of the property’s façade, lobby and elevator cabs. Other nonprofit tenants at 120 Wall Street include Freedom House and the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

As reported by The Mortgage Observer last year, Silverstein Properties refinanced 120 Wall Street with a $63 million loan, originated by Bank of America.

Mr. Manoff and Robert Kennedy of Colliers represented the tenant in the leasing transaction. Silverstein Properties was represented in-house by Mr. Silverstein and Joseph Artusa.

Mr. Ross, worth $4.4 billion according to Forbes, is perhaps best known in philanthropic circles for his $100 million donation to the business school at the University of Michigan, his alma mater.

The donation, the largest ever to an American business school, resulted in its renaming as the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Inspired by Mr. Ross’s pledge, The Commercial Observer checked in on the philanthropic efforts of other real estate titans.

“They were looking to open up a New York office that reflected their business model,” Gabe Marans of Studley, who represented the tenant, told The Commercial Observer. “They wanted to be in a boutique building that had easy access to transportation and that was centrally located on the island.”

The firm moved into a prebuilt suite on a portion of the 39-story building’s 29^th floor shortly after closing the lease in March. The space at 540 Madison Avenue is World Capital Group’s first New York office. The firm is headquartered in Austin with an additional office in Dallas.

World Class Capital’s lease is just one of a number of leases at the Plaza District building Boston Properties revealed this week. Oak Circle Capital Partners, Trishield Capital Management, Waterfront Capital Partners and a handful of other boutique financial firms have also recently signed leases at the property.

Acquired with Two Grand Central Tower by a Boston Properties joint venture from Macklowe Properties for a combined $705 million in 2008, 540 Madison Avenue features floor plates ranging from 4,000 to nearly 11,000 square feet.

Earlier this year, Bank of East Asia elected to relocate from 202 Canal Street to the 10th floor of 540 Madison Avenue, a space formerly occupied by SAC Capital, which moved to a nearby Boston Properties building at 510 Madison Avenue.

Greg Taubin and Mr. Marans of Studley represented the tenant. Boston Properties was represented by Jones Lang LaSalle through Cynthia Wasserberger, David Kleiner and Randy Abend.

"The RFR team always works hard to provide the best services and amenities that attract and retain the best quality tenants," said Aby Rosen, co-founder and principal at RFR, in a prepared statement. "That's the secret of our success here and throughout the RFR portfolio.”

Aerotek and TEKsystems moved to 757 Third Avenue in 1997, two years prior to RFR’s acquisition of the property. Then located on the second floor, Aerotek will now be located on eighth floor, with TEKsystems taking space on the 12^th floor of the 500,000-square-foot building. The two companies, which specialize in recruiting and staffing, were founded by Steve Bisciotti, owner of the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens.

The property at 757 Third Avenue has undergone significant renovation since being acquired by RFR Realty in 1999. Since that time, the landlord has modernized the building’s lobby and upgraded building systems. The building’s tenant roster also includes a number of prominent Japanese companies, including Mizuho Alternative Investments LLC.

The tenants were represented by Cassidy Turley through L. Jamie Smith, Michael Norris and Jonathan Schindler. RFR Realty was represented both in-house by Steve Morrows, executive vice president and director of leasing, and by a Jones Lang LaSalle team headed by Mitchell Konsker and Alexander Chudnoff.

“It was the right balance; nicer than what we currently have, but not super corporate,” Donna Providenti, chief operating officer at LeadDog, said of the space. “We are coming from old loft spaces that aren’t really suited for office use.”

Currently located at 159 West 25^th Street, LeadDog expects to move in to its space on the two top floors of the 18-story building by November 1 following a build out being done by the landlord, Paramount Group, Inc.

The 125-person marketing firm, which also has offices in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and Boulder, counts Vitamin Water, NASCAR, ABC, HBO, the New York Giants and the National Hockey League among its clients.

“We’re on the Crain’s list of fastest growing companies in New York and we are adding employees,” Ms. Providenti noted of the business.

The marketing firm’s space, spread across the 17^th and 18^th floors, includes a terrace and is convenient to mass transit, which both appealing amenities, according to Ms. Providenti.

“We weren’t focused on that area, but the space was the best fit that we found,” she added. “We really liked the terrace and the space itself worked for us.”

As reported yesterday, Century Management Services, a residential property manager, signed a lease for 11,373 square feet on the 15^th floor at 440 Ninth Avenue. The company expects to occupy its space by June.

Erik Schmall and Michael Mathias, both of Studley, represented the tenant in the transaction. Paramount was represented by Stephen Schofel, Elizabeth Houley, Josh Gosin and Daniel Hassett of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank.

Calls to NGKF, Studley and Paramount Group were not immediately returned.

“The tenant was looking for a strong landlord, one that had a reputation of working with their tenants in a partnership,” Gregg Lorberbaum, principal at Centric Real Estate Advisors, who represented the tenant, told The Commercial Observer.

Century Management Services, which is relocating from 7 Penn Plaza, will take more than half of the property’s 15^th floor and plans to occupy by June following a build out being undertaken by the landlord, Paramount Group, Inc.

“This is a perfect example of the landlord and tenant working collaboratively,” Mr. Lorberbaum noted.

The 18-story building features a newly renovated lobby, with dual entrances on 35th Street and Ninth Avenue, as well as new elevator cabs. Paramount currently lists approximately 14,000 square feet of availability at the 412,000-square-foot property.

Proximity to the Hudson Yards development site was a selling point for Century Management, Mr. Lorberbaum said. “Now that that is a reality, they felt they could be a pioneer,” he noted.

As reported by The Commercial Observer last year, Duane Reade elected to relocate its corporate headquarters from 440 Ninth Avenue to 40 Wall Street, signing a 54,500-square-foot lease at the Trump Organization property.

Mr. Lorberbaum and Samantha Fishbone of Centric Real Estate Advisors represented the tenant in the transaction. The landlord was represented by Stephen Schofel, Elizabeth Houley, Josh Gosin and Daniel Hassett of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank.

Calls to NGKF and Paramount Group were not immediately returned.

"[The firm's current] layout and configuration are no longer conducive to their business and operations," said Lance Leighton, assistant director at Studley, who represented the tenant. "As a result, they wanted to find a space that was more efficient for the firm."

The firm, which is relocating from a commercial co-op at 150 Central Park South to the 14^th floor of the Boston Properties office building, expects to occupy by this summer.

Accustomed to Central Park views, LH Financial's search took them to all Class A buildings in the Plaza District, focused on those with Park views, according to Mr. Leighton.

"After an extensive search, the firm decided that 510 Madison's boutique floorplates, high-end finishes and tenant amenities trumped the importance of Central Park views," Mr. Leighton noted.

Developed by Harry Macklowe and targeted toward hedge funds and boutique financial services companies, the 355,598-square-foot Class A building at 510 Madison Avenue features an executive fitness center, lap pool and a 6,500-square-foot garden terrace. LH Financial will join a host of other investment management firms in the building including SAC Capital, embattled Steve Cohen’s Stamford-headquartered fund.

Boston Properties acquired 510 Madison Avenue from Mr. Macklowe for over $280 million in 2011.

Mr. Leighton and Evan Margolin, senior managing director, of Studley represented the tenant in the transaction. Boston Properties was represented both by CBRE and in-house by Adam Frazier and Daniel Birney.

“It’s the kind of location they wanted to be in,” James Emden, vice chairman at Colliers International, who represented the tenant, told The Commercial Observer. “The economics made sense; it is still a cheaper deal than Midtown.”

The nonprofit research organization, which is currently located in Midtown West, focused its initial search in that market, but moved Downtown in search of better quality and pricing.

Behavior Ideas Lab will build out the space and is expected to occupy the 30^th floor at 80 Broad Street by October.

As reported, Savanna acquired 80 Broad Street in 2011 after taking control of the property’s senior mortgage. Last month, the real estate private equity firm signed video security software company Mobotix Corp. to a 7,840-square-foot lease.

Mr. Emden and Adam Baruch of Colliers International represented Behavioral Ideas Lab in the transaction. Hal Stein, Adam Leshowitz and Todd Stracci of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank represented the landlord.

Neither NGKF nor Savanna immediately returned requests for comment.