Travel Accessories Brand Expands at 261 Fifth Avenue, and May Expand More

Randall Briskin and Brian Feil of The Feil Organization handled the lease negotiation for the building. Eugene Messina, Vice President of Global Real Estate for Tumi, represented the company in the deal.

Since buying the landmark Art Deco building five years ago, The Feil Organization has seen its building evolve from a roster primarily comprised of textile tenants to a mix of fashion and media businesses.

“We’ve been seeking out really well-established, high-end corporate names,” said Mr. Feil.

Dan Klores Communications took 30,000 square feet in the building in 2010, and The Badger & Winters Group—whose founder, Madonna Badger, recently lost family members to a tragic fire at her Stamford, Connecticut home—has agreed to take space on one of the top floors of the 26-story building.

Tumi, which has its corporate offices in South Plainfield, New Jersey, had an office at 261 Fifth Avenue for more than ten years. It had used its 20th and 21st floor offices as a design studio and showroom, and for sales meetings.

“The remaining portion of the 21st floor, which is what we’re taking over, is now going to be an expanded showroom and workspace,” said Michael Mardy, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tumi.

“It was a space that was contiguous to our existing space and it felt right to expand the space,” he added.

Tumi could soon grow even bigger. Last month, it was reported that Tumi had filed regulatory documents as part of its plans to raise up to $300 million in an initial public offering.

Daniel Edward Rosen, Staff Writer, is reachable at DRosen@Observer.com and can also be followed at Twitter.com/Dedwardro.