Turkish Airlines Lands High in ‘World’s Most Famous Office Building’
By Laura Kusisto February 14, 2011 8:38 pm
reprints
Empire State Building
Turkish Airlines has been ferrying into New York with increasing frequency, so it’s no surprise the republic’s flagship airline has decided to land in the city’s most prominent tower.
A few months after bumping up its New York to Istanbul flights by 30 percent, Turkish Airlines has taken 5,863 square feet on the 75th floor of the Empire State Building. The airline, which consistently wins plaudits for its friendly attendants sporting jaunty red caps and yummy local snacks (baklava, anyone?), will join other international sky gliders in the landmark tower, such as Air China and Lufthansa.
The company, which boasts a 155-plane fleet and 126 airports of call, will move to the building this month from its current location in Westbury, N.Y. “International airlines are a great fit for the Empire State Building,” said W&H Properties‘ Fred Posniak. “They market to a global audience, and this audience immediately identifies with the world’s most famous office building.”
The tower, which recently underwent a $550 million renovation and is seeking LEED Gold certification, also scored the largest lease of the year so far with Hong Kong clothier Li & Fung.
Albert Duryea and Tina Duryea of ITRA/New York Realty Group represented the tenant, while William Cohen, Ryan Kass and Lauren Davidson of Newmark Knight Frank repped the landlord.
lkusisto@observer.com
