On Nov. 14, 1997, when the government of Canada opened its brand-new Consulate General offices on the mezzanine and concourse levels of 1251 Avenue of the Americas, the country’s trade minister and two uniformed mounties traveled down south for the occasion.
The Canadians unveiled an 80-square-foot artwork by Inuit artist Irene Avaalaaqiaq, and Mayor Giuliani declared Nov. 14 Canada Day in New York. Or so claims a press release in Lexis Nexis.
Be that as it may, now the government of Canada is looking for fresh accommodations. The Canadians have hired Studley chief executive Mitch Steir and executive vice president David Goldstein to scout for between 80,000 and 100,000 square feet in Manhattan.
It’s unclear whether the government wants to consolidate its Consulate General offices at Mitsui Fudosan’s 1251 Sixth and its offices at Ruben Companies’ One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, where the Mission of Canada to the United Nations is located. The latter lease for 30,000 square feet was reportedly signed in 1992.
drubinstein@observer.com
