Foot Locker is marching its new “Power Store” to Washington Heights.
When it opens this fall, the 25,000-square-foot space at 605 W. 181st St. will sell sneakers for sure — but also feature a barbershop, a gaming zone, an event space with a DJ, and artist areas where customers can design their own footwear and get their sneakers cleaned.
London, Hong Kong and Detroit already have slam-dunk versions of the Power Store with Philadelphia and LA locations soon to open.
The space was previously occupied by America’s Kids. Foot Locker’s current spot at 621 W. 181st, which is roughly half the size, will shutter itself. The stores are both between St. Nicholas and Wadsworth avenues along the popular shopping street served by the No. 1 subway and bus routes.
Foot Locker was represented by Evan Schuckman of Ripco.
The building owner, Marx Realty, was repped by an in-house team led by Henry Henderson.
“In this retail day, there will be winners and losers,” said Craig Deitelzweig, CEO of Marx Realty, which owns property in 16 states. “We chose Foot Locker because they are local and we believe that Foot Locker understands what it takes to be successful in this retail environment. They are very future-proof.”
Alliant Insurance Services has signed a lease for two more floors at 101 Park Ave., where it will soon occupy 97,000 square feet.
In February, Alliant leased the entire 12th and 14th floors, totaling 48,500 square feet, and the new expansion covers the 18th and 19th floors. (The building does not have a numbered 13th floor.)
Joseph Cabrera and David Glassman of Colliers International represented Alliant.
Building owner Peter S. Kalikow of HJ Kalikow & Co. was represented by the Cushman & Wakefield team of John Cefaly and Nicholas Dysenchuk in both transactions. The rent is in the low-$80s per square foot.
“They think it’s a great building,” said Kalikow of his new tenant. “They recalibrated their needs just weeks after signing the initial deal.”
The black, 1.28-million-square-foot building commands the Park Avenue blockfront between East 40th and 41st streets.
Its largest tenants include the law firms Morgan Lewis & Bockius and Kelley Drye & Warren. The Museum of the Dog has opened here as part of the American Kennel Club’s headquarters. Using an interactive program, visitors can determine their ideal dog. Kalikow discovered his to be a Boston Terrier.
While the building has lost prospects to Hudson Yards, Kalikow says, “We’re bucking the market.” With JPMorgan Chase rebuilding its headquarters at 270 Park, One Vanderbilt rising, and the neighboring Hyatt hotel to be entirely redeveloped, “those are big votes of confidence” Kalikow said, adding, “This area will have a new renaissance.”
