Top 5 Reasons to Lease the Ex-Metro Theater

The old Metro Theater sits at 2626 Broadway on the Upper West Side. The historical landmark is now for lease and would be perfect for your restaurant, fitness center, clothing store, or other retail use. Here’s why!

1. Gorgeous design: Besides the landmarked movie marquee, the property also includes art deco detailing, making it a one-of-a-kind space for your business.

2.  Urban Outfitters: The national retailer is moving directly across the street. That means guaranteed traffic in the neighborhood.

3. Fabulous food: The Metro Theater sits in neighborhood overflowing with delicious food. Nearby restaurants include Mama Mexico, Alouette, Picnic Market and Cafe and the Metro Diner.

4. Columbus Avenue Retail: The Upper West Side is exploding with new retailers like Sephora, Michael’s, TJ Maxx, and Whole Foods. You could be next!

5. Plans are approved: Plans are already approved for a 5,000 SF ground floor, a 5,000 SF 2nd floor, and a 5,000 SF selling lower level, saving you some hassle.

Interested? Call 212-213-6480 for leasing information.

-Caitlin

Urban Outfitters Takes UWS Again

The growing Upper West Side will welcome another retailer, Urban Outfitters, who plans to open its second location at 2625 Broadway between 99th and 100th Streets. The two floor store includes 6,090 SF on the ground floor, and 8,708 SF on the lower level. UO originally planned to take the Metro Theater (2626 Broadway) across the street, but chose 2625 Broadway instead. According to “My Upper West” a spokesperson for the deal said that the retailer went for the space because it was not landmarked, giving the option of creativite freedom without restrictions. The store expects to open this summer.

The good news is the Metro Theater is still available for your retail use, AND will neighbor Urban Outfitters. Ready to move to a unique building in the UWS? Call 212-213-6480 for leasing information.

-Caitlin

Old Theater to be Transformed

An artist's picture of the future performace center in Chinatown (picture via NY Post)

A giant 2,300 seat theater that has been close off for years, the former Loews theater in Chinatown, may soon be a cultural and performing arts center. Local banker Thomas Sung is interested in developing the building in hopes of it changing the neighborhood economically.

The president for the not-for-profit group working to open the center, Amy Chin, told the New York Post that the project has a lot of potential. “We have a vision of this as a town square, with a store, a visitor’s bureau, theaters, a cafe and rehearsal spaces.” The goal of the committee is to make this Chinatown neighborhood a mecca for performance art.

Like their idea and want your own? The former Metro Theater at 2626 Broadway is now for lease,  ready to be reborn. Call 212-213-6480 or email me at caitlin@besenretail.com for leasing information.

-Caitlin

Bowling Alleys: The Recession-Proof Business

 

While some New York businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, an unexpected leisure activity is booming– bowling. The New York Times reported that bowling alleys are expanding and changing from the usual alley style. For example, Leisure Time Bowl in Midtown is an exclusive spot with a strict dress code. The Executive General Manager Ayman Kamel told the Times, “We don’t allow those real large jeans that almost fall off the hips, or those bandannas that represent gangs. None of those big visual gold chains.” Leisure Time Bowl will soon be called “Frames” and will open VIP lanes and a new restaurant, then a nightclub later this year.

Other upscale bowling destinations include Lucky Strikes Lanes also in Midtown, Bowlmor Lanes in Greenwich Village, and Carnival, which is also a dance club. This fall, a 90,000 SF Bowlmor Alley will open in the New York Times building, becoming the largest tenant in the property.

Looking to expand your bowling alley? Luckily for you, Besen Retail has the perfect retro-esque space for lease at 2626 Broadway on the Upper West Side. The Former Metro Theater, the building is an art deco dream with high ceilings, a movie marquee, and a rich history. Call 212-213-6480 for leasing information.

-Caitlin

NYC not on “World’s Ugliest Buildings” list

The Longaberger Home Office in Ohio

Good News for NYC! Travel and Leisure recently published a list of the “World’s Ugliest Buildings,” and not one single New York structure made the list. Some of the buildings that made the cut? The Harold Washington Library in Chicago, The Secret Intelligence Service building in London, and the Longaberger Home office in Ohio, which is shaped like a giant basket. Do you disagree with the list? New York can’t help it if it has beautiful architecture, like featured space for lease 2626 Broadway, the Metro Theater.

-Caitlin

Underrated Upper Broadway

Space for lease, 2626 Broadway

Yesterday I discovered a unique portion of the city that I never ventured to before, Upper Broadway. While I have always thought highly of the Upper West Side, the home to a giant Filene’s Basement, the Greenflea Market (my favorite flea market in the city), and the gorgeous west side of Central Park, I never realized how completely underrated Upper Broadway is.

The famous Metro Theater, an icon in the NYC theater world, sits on Broadway and 100th Street and is available for lease. With its vintagey art deco decor, this is an amazing opportunity for any business to be a part of the building’s rich history. The neighborhood is filled with several busy shops and restaurants, bringing heavy foot traffic to the area.

The Metro Diner, right across the street, is the perfect neighborhood hangout to sip on what they have deemed their ”legendary” coffee, a pastrami sandwich, or perhaps just a slice of New York style cheesecake. I love Mexican food, so I was delighted to see “Mama Mexico” on the block, serving heaping bowls of fresh guacamole, authentic tamales poblanos, and burritos stuffed with your choice of meat, vegetables, and cheese. Looking for a table for two for lunch? Check out the quaint French cafe, Alouette. Here, share a dish of Pommes Frites or nibble on a seafood crepe. Health conscious? A variety of Health Food stores are available on almost every block, from “The Health Nuts” to “Gary Nulls Uptown Whole Foods,” which had a line out the door on my visit. With a juice bar in the front of the shop, I couldn’t help but order a Banana Split Shake.

Mama Mexico on Upper Broadway

This weekend, visit the area for the “Annual Upper Broadway Harvest Festival” on October 4th. The street fair will stretch from 96th to 110th streets, from 11am-6pm. The event is sponsored by the One Stop Senior Services and the Bloomingdale Area Coalition, and is the perfect way to celebrate the begining of Autumn.

For more information on space for lease 2626 Broadway, please call 212-213-6480, or email me at caitlin@besenretail.com.

-Caitlin

Iconic Metro Theater for Lease!

Formerly the iconic Metro Theater, this building is an art deco dream with amazing signage opportunity, high ceilings, and a movie marquee. Be a part of the buildings rich history, as it was once one of the most famous theaters in New York City.

The facts:

-Plans are approved for 5,000 SF ground floor, 5,000 SF 2nd floor, and a 5,000 SF Selling lower level

-Situated between 99th and 100th streets at 2626 Broadway in a one-of-a-kind neighborhood with heavy foot traffic.

-Unique landmark building perfect for your shop, restaurant or other use.

Want to know more about this beautiful Broadway space? Call 212-213-6480 for leasing information.

-Caitlin