Footwear Brand Johnston & Murphy Opening Outpost in SI’s Empire Outlets
By Nicholas Rizzi August 26, 2019 8:00 am
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Footwear retailer Johnston & Murphy plans to open its first factory store in Staten Island’s recently opened Empire Outlets, Commercial Observer has learned.
Johnstone & Murphy signed a 10-year lease with BFC Partners for 2,564 square feet on the third level of the 1.1-million-square-foot Empire Outlets, the landlord said. A spokesman for BFC would not provide the asking rent in the deal, but a source previously told CO that the average asking rent in the development is $125 per square foot.
The retailer plans to open its Empire Outlets outpost by early next year, a spokesman for BFC said.
“Empire Outlets is home to some of the world’s most renowned fashion brands, and we are proud to add Johnston and Murphy to the iconic collection of stores you can find at Empire,” Joseph Ferrara, a principal of BFC, said in a statement.
After nearly seven years of planning, construction and missed deadlines, the $350 million Empire Outlets opened in May with about 30 shops and food options including H&M, Nike and Banana Republic. All told, the project will have 200 stores, a 1,250-space parking garage and will eventually house a 200-room hotel.
James Prendamano, the CEO of Casandra Properties, represented for BFC while Johnston & Murphy handled the deal in-house.
“Synonymous with excellence in American apparel, Johnston & Murphy brings even more star power to an already outstanding tenant roster at Empire Outlets,” Prendamano said in a statement.
The shoe and apparel seller also has non-factory outposts at 501 Madison Avenue and 200 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, according to its website.
