The Plan: 10 Grand Central Gets a Train-Themed Tenant Lounge

Do you love trains? This tenant lounge is for you.

By Abigail Nehring September 19, 2024 

The 11,000-square-foot lounge celebrates 10 Grand Central’s Beaux-Arts roots.RENDERING: Courtesy of Tangram 3DS

A rendering of The Bar Car at 10 Grand Central.RENDERING: Courtesy of Tangram 3DS

10 Grand Central’s Grand Gallery will be able to host up to 200 people in town hall-style meetings.RENDERING: Courtesy of Tangram 3DS

Tenants will be able to book a movie night at the Screening Gallery.RENDERING: Courtesy of Tangram 3DS

Office workers at Marx Realty’s 10 Grand Central might be surprised not to see rail ties and crop fields flashing by when they look out the porthole-like windows of the The Galleries, a tenant lounge on the 11th floor.

That’s because the space looks just like a turn-of-the-century luxury train car, down to the rounded corners of the windows, oxidized copper finishes and fan pattern mosaic tile on the floor.

It’s an ode to the building’s Beaux-Arts heritage and a subtle reminder of its proximity to nearby Grand Central Terminal, the hub that weighs more heavily on companies’ decision to lease office space in the age of hybrid work, according to Marx President and CEO Craig Deitelzweig.

“We really wanted to make this space special and different than any other space in the market,” Deitelzweig said. “Tying it into train lines from the same period made all the sense in the world.”

In fact, Marx’s in-house design team, together with Studios Architecture, have been leaning into that concept throughout the 35-story building at the corner of East 44th Street and Third Avenue, beginning in 2019 with a $45 million lobby renovation and overhaul of the 3,000-square-foot terrace and lounge on the seventh floor.

Now tenants are getting another 11,000 square feet of amenities at The Galleries, including a cocktail bar, a town hall-style meeting room, a mini movie theater and a podcast studio.

The space, which will open in November, builds on motifs already sprinkled throughout the 438,000-square-foot property, designed in 1931 by Ely Jacques Kahn, including the color Marx dubs “10 Grand Central Green,” a warm olive shade that you might expect Mr. Green to wear in a game of Clue.

You’ll see the color on the couches lining the perimeter of The Galleries and the floor-to-ceiling drapes that break up the burlwood wall paneling.

Despite the retro design, the space is equipped with 21st century technology. That includes the recording equipment in the podcast studio, which is already booked through December, according to Deitelzweig.

Deitelzweig said his goal is to give tenants what they desire, and right now that’s an eclectic mix of work and play areas.

“Tenants really look at office buildings similar to hotels now,” he said.

The cross-pollination of the city’s hospitality sector and Class A office market in the wake of the pandemic is a trend Marx helped start across its half-dozen Manhattan office properties. At 10 Grand Central, which has an alternate address of 155 East 44th Street, the investment seems to be working.

The building has been fully occupied since early last year, Deitelzweig said. Attracting tenants also became easier when Marx got some buzz for dropping $100,000 on an electric Porsche Taycan as an amenity for the property in 2022.

“We want our tenants to love coming to work, to make it a joy to experience this type of space, and really show it off,” Deitelzweig said. “That’s why they come to the office time and time again.”

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Admin Provider TMF Group Takes 3K SF at Marx Realty’s 10 Grand Central

BY 

Administrative service provider TMF Group has signed on for office space at 10 Grand Central.

The global tax, accounting, payroll and human resources company inked a 10-year lease for 3,130 square feet at Marx Realty’s 10 Grand. Asking rents at the 35-story Midtown office tower hover between $68 and $130 per square foot, according to the landlord.

This is not the first lease TMF has signed in New York City. The Dutch company occupies space on the 27th floor of 48 Wall Streetaccording to its website. It is unclear whether the deal at 10 Grand represents a second office or a relocation from the Financial District.

JLL (JLL) represented both the tenant and landlord in the deal. Jason Roberts brokered the transaction for TMF, while Mitchell KonskerCarlee PalmerSimon Landmann and Thomas Swartz handled it for Marx Realty. A spokesperson for JLL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

TMF will take a fully furnished suite on the ninth floor of 10 Grand, part of what Marx Realty calls its “MarxReady” program. In total, that floor consists of 17,761 square feet, per the building’s website.

“We are happy to see strong demand for our MarxReady prebuilt suites, which have been meticulously designed to create the same sensory experience found throughout the building,” Craig Deitelzweig, president and CEO of Marx Realty, said in a statement.

In 2018, Marx Realty completed a $45 million repositioning in the Midtown tower. Within the last year, the landlord has leased more than 94,000 square feet in 10 Grand alone. TMF will join tenants such as UpSlideFin CapitalThe Completed Life Initiative and Agence France-Presse in the property.

Anna Staropoli can be reached at astaropoli@commercialobserver.com.

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Crain’s New York Business 2024 | Notable Real Estate Leaders

July 29, 2024

Craig Deitelzweig

President and Chief Executive Officer, Marx Realty

Scope of work: As president and chief executive officer of the real estate company Marx Realty, Craig Deitelzweig oversees development, construction, leasing and property management. He also manages five million square feet of commercial office, retail and residential space.

Biggest career win: Deitelzweig recently oversaw the construction of 10 Grand Central, Marx Realty’s foray into hotel-style office buildings. He has also worked on the 1.4 million-square-foot Cross County Center in Yonkers, New York, an open-air shopping center.

Other contributions: Deitelzweig is a Urban Land Institute mentor and sits on the nonprofit’s ULI New York committee. He also serves on advisory boards at Tulane University, Shadow Ventures and Merchants National Properties.

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Marx Realty leases 9,473 s/f office to Consonance Capital at 545 Madison

545 Madison – Manhattan, NY

Manhattan, NY According to Marx Realty, healthcare investment platform Consonance Capital has signed on to take 9,473 s/f of space at its 545 Madison office building, which the firm recently co-branded with Baccarat. Consonance Capital will move from its current location at 1370 6th Ave. in Midtown. A confidential real estate holding firm – and the largest tenant at 545 Madison – has extended its 42,000 s/f commitment for an additional five years leaving only 9,500 s/f of space available.

“545 Madison has become one of the most sought-after office addresses in Manhattan and we’re excited to welcome Consonance Capital to the building,” said Craig Deitelzweig, president and CEO of Marx Realty. “Leasing velocity and demand at 545 Madison has outperformed most office buildings in the area and the success we’ve seen here is proof positive that an inviting sensory experience is incredibly attractive to office users. It’s representative of how attractive and truly special this hospitality-infused repositioning strategy has been across our entire portfolio.”

A Cushman & Wakefield team led by Tara Stacom represented Marx Realty and Cynthia Wasserberger and Michael Pallas of JLL represented Consonance Capital. The term is five years and asking rents at the building are $86-126 per s/f.

The repositioned 545 Madison features a uniquely luxe sensibility with a warm and welcoming vibe that appeals to office users ranging from financial services firms to luxury brands. The sensory journey starts at the entrance; the front of the building was completely transformed, including a uniformed doorman and a redesigned lobby featuring warm materials and soft curves, sophisticated mood music and Marx Realty’s signature scent.

With Baccarat joining the tenant roster in December 2023 and committing to a co-branding program at 545 Madison, the well-appointed lobby will feature some of the brand’s most recognizable accent pieces. From the simple sophistication of its Lady Crinoline Chandelier and Harcourt pendant lights to the bold luxury of the Zenith Red Chandelier – with select pieces custom-crafted for the building – the lobby at 545 Madison will welcome tenants and guests with a high-profile marriage of two extraordinary brands. The serenity of the lobby library and various nooks with plush velvet seating, combined with soft curves and walnut wood-clad walls will punctuate a decidedly sophisticated ambiance reminiscent of a luxury hotel lobby.

The eighth-floor club lounge at 545 Madison, known as the Leonard Lounge and named in honor of Leonard Marx, the founder of Marx Realty, is reminiscent of a members-only club. The design is an homage to Leonard’s personality – bold, ahead-of-its-time and forward-thinking – with features that are represented in the thoughtful details that make up the space. Comprising 7,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor lounge space, the Leonard Lounge boasts a café, a 2,000-square-foot landscaped terrace, a 40-seat boardroom and a ceiling-suspended fireplace. The addition of Baccarat fixtures, barware and accessories in the tenant lounge will add another layer of luxury and round out the authentic ambiance of the space.

Current tenants include financial software and applications developer GTS (the first to sign at 545 Madison soon after Marx presented its plans for the building); French luxury house and manufacturer of fine crystal, Baccarat; private equity firms Snow Phipps, Kohlberg, Vialto Partners and Orangewood Capital as well as additional top-tier wealth management and private equity firms.

David Burns and Kristin Kaiser of Studios Architecture worked with Marx Realty’s in-house design team to reimagine the lobby and amenity spaces at 545 Madison.

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Consonance Capital to Move to Marx Realty’s 545 Madison

By: Emily Fu

Healthcare investment platform Consonance Capital has leased 9,473 square feet at Marx Realty’s 545 Madison office building, recently co-branded with Baccarat. Consonance Capital will move from 1370 6th Avenue in Midtown. The building’s largest tenant, a confidential real estate holding firm, extended its 42,000-square-foot lease for five more years, leaving 9,500 square feet available, according to a release from Marx Realty.

“Leasing velocity and demand at 545 Madison has outperformed most office buildings in the area and the success we’ve seen here is proof positive that an inviting sensory experience is incredibly attractive to office users,” said Craig Deitelzweig, president and CEO of Marx Realty.

A Cushman & Wakefield team led by Tara Stacom represented Marx Realty, while JLL’s Cynthia Wasserberger and Michael Pallas represented Consonance Capital. 545 Madison features tenants including GTS, Baccarat, Snow Phipps, Kohlberg, Vialto Partners, and Orangewood Capital.

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Consonance Capital to move its New York City office to 545 Madison

By Julian Nazar – Staff Reporter, New York Business Journal | Jun 11, 2024

The amenities at 545 Madison Ave. include an eighth-floor club lounge called “Leonard Lounge.”

Consonance Capital has signed a five-year lease to move its New York City office to 545 Madison Ave. The health care investment platform previously had its office in a similar-sized space at 1370 Sixth Ave. in Midtown for 10 years. The company is expected to open its new office in two months. Asking rents at the building range from $86 to $126 per square foot.

JLL’s Cynthia Wasserberger and Michael Pallas represented Consonance Capital on the deal. A Cushman & Wakefield team led by Tara Stacom represented the landlord, Marx Realty.

The 18-story, 140,000-square-foot office tower features a redesigned lobby with warm materials and soft curves, sophisticated mood music and Marx Realty’s signature scent, plus an eighth-floor club lounge called “Leonard Lounge” that includes a café, a 2,000-square-foot landscaped terrace, a 40-seat boardroom and a ceiling-suspended fireplace.

“Leasing velocity and demand at 545 Madison has outperformed most office buildings in the area, and the success we’ve seen here is proof positive that an inviting sensory experience is incredibly attractive to office users,” Marx Realty CEO Craig Deitelzweig said in a statement. “It’s representative of how attractive and truly special this hospitality-infused repositioning strategy has been across our entire portfolio.”

Notable tenants at the building include investment advisory firm Helix Partners and French luxury crystal line Baccarat, along with private equity firms Snow Phipps, Kohlberg & Co., Vialto Partners and Orangewood Partners.

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Craig Deitelzweig CEO and President at Marx Realty

May 14, 2024

In December 2023, Baccarat, the high-end French glassmaking company, signed a lease with Marx Realty to relocate its U.S. headquarters to 545 Madison Avenue. The deal for 10,000 square feet of penthouse and mezzanine space, plus a private terrace, included a plan to co-brand the building, furthering Marx Realty’s goal of bringing hospitality into office space.

“Office space is perceived to be challenged,” said Craig Deitelzweig, the company’s leader. “But there are so many great assets that can be rethought, reimagined. It’s an exciting time.” 

Deitelzweig and his team have been reimagining in the seven years since he took the helm of Marx. Way back when an office was an office (and a home was a home), hospitality-like elements designed to elevate the tenant experience were on Marx’s amenity list: doormen, house cars, lobbies that mimic hotels, lounges, libraries, outdoor space, indoor scents, soft materials and lighting to soothe and flatter.

“We make a big deal about things like using warm lighting so people look good and feel good. This is what an office building should be,” Deitelzweig said.

Marx’s portfolio now includes the management, development and leasing for 67 properties in 17 states, according to the company. That includes Manhattan Class A office buildings at 10 Grand Central, 545 Madison Avenue, 201 East 57th Street and 230 Park Avenue. 

The Baccarat deal was especially important for its impact within that portfolio, said Deitelzweig. It’s the ultimate illustration of his vision of blurred lines between office and hotel experiences: Baccarat crystal and accessories in the lounge, Baccarat chandeliers in the lobby, velvet upholstery and a ceiling-suspended fireplace in a boardroom.

“We figured out a new way. We’ve proven it to be successful. We are a leader in the new type of office.” 

Transforming properties, of course, is not always a bed of signature scents. But Deitelzweig looks at the heritage of office buildings the same way others see historic (aging) hotels.

“It’s a wonderful time to connect them to next-level opportunities,” he said.

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Marx Realty Completes Repositioning at One Glover Office Building in DC and Signs Water Street Gym to 6,650 SF of Retail Space

(Washington, DC) – Marx Realty, a New York-based owner, developer and manager of office, retail and multifamily properties across the United States, has completed its renovation of One Glover, located at 2121 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Washington, DC. On the heels of the remarkable transformation at the One Glover office building, the firm finalized a 10-year, 6,650-square-foot lease with Water Street Gym. The boutique training facility recently relocated from its current space at 3255 K St. NW to the lower level of One Glover in DC’s Georgetown/Glover Park neighborhood. Marx Realty acquired One Glover in 2022 and recently completed a hospitality-infused repositioning at the 110,000 square-foot office building.

“Water Street Gym brings an upscale lifestyle amenity to tenants and to the neighborhood while building on the warm and welcoming hospitality-like environment we designed into the common areas and offices at One Glover,” said Craig Deitelzweig, president and CEO of Marx Realty. “Office users are continuing to demand high-quality in a superior location and the distinctive sensory experience we created at One Glover, combined with the location near parks and neighborhood amenities, is proving to be very attractive. We’ve taken full advantage of the building’s soaring ceiling heights and well-designed column spacing and infused a members-only club-like vibe that appeals to a variety of tenants.”

John Schlagel at Transwestern represented Water Street Gym and Mark Wooters and James Collins at Cushman & Wakefield represented Marx Realty in the deal.

The repositioning at One Glover began with reimagining the previously dated façade. The exterior was painted an iron ore shade with warm wood panels surrounding the entry and a bronze-clad canopy featuring the One Glover name fashioned in bronze marquee-style lettering. Oversized fluted glass doors feature brushed brass hardware while a uniformed doorman is reminiscent of the world’s finest hotels. Marx Realty also added an outdoor ‘front porch’ with a variety of seating options to complement the dramatic entry experience and pay homage to the many parks and green spaces of the Glover Park neighborhood.

A club-like lobby lounge with sophisticated finishes now provides an organic wellness vibe at One Glover. From the mixed wood accents, white-washed wood flooring, lime-washed walls and cork accents to a tiled feature wall depicting local nature scenes (commissioned by a local artisan), the lounge at One Glover exudes an elegant and timeless aesthetic. The original waffle-style ceiling features dramatic lighting and wall sconces surrounding the seating areas. Defined seating is delineated across three rooms in the lobby lounge – a coffee and water station with cork walls and ceilings, a garden room, and a serene seating space with an olive tree and organic cork features – to punctuate a luxe hotel ambience. Additionally, Marx Realty’s signature scent and mood music round out a soothing sensory experience throughout the space.

Drawn by the area’s ample parks, shopping, dining and retail options, tenants at One Glover benefit from Marx Realty’s forward-thinking team of design and operations professionals. The building is situated in the heart of the Wisconsin Avenue Corridor offering convenient access to shopping and dining, including a Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods just steps from the building. The location, and its built-in neighborhood amenities, are attractive for studio spaces, cultural organizations and media and technology companies seeking to provide a welcoming environment. Office suites boast expansive views of the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral while an onsite parking garage and bicycle storage are available for tenant use.

“We have essentially created a new asset class within the office sector by infusing our assets with the design sensibilities of the world’s finest hotels and were the first to bring the aesthetic to the DC market,” continued Deitelzweig. “One Glover is the perfect complement to our work at The Herald in DC, which has been widely regarded as the first office building to bring a true sense of hospitality to the office space. Marx Realty’s transformative approach to real estate, combined with our hands-on management, adds a level of confidence for tenants and continues to generate interest in leasing at One Glover.”

The completion of the repositioning at One Glover follows Marx Realty’s successful top-to-bottom renovation at the award-winning Herald building, which was once home to the offices and printing presses of The Washington-Herald — where Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis (then Bouvier) once worked as the “Inquiring Camera Girl.” The transformation there has resulted in attracting a remarkable tenant base of best-in-class government affairs, consulting firms and think tanks and continues to generate excitement about in-person work. And, the repositioning at The Grogan in DC’s Chinatown neighborhood has turned heads for its demure boutique hotel design aesthetic.

Marx Realty’s in-house design team partnered with Studios Architecture to execute a timeless and effortlessly elegant design vision across the firm’s assets in New York, DC and Atlanta.

Anchor office tenant Nexstar Media Group occupies the entire third floor comprising 28,766 square feet of space; architectural lighting firm George Sexton and Associates occupies 7,500 square feet; and health technology firm DispatchHealth recently signed on at One Glover. Additionally, CommuniKids, a language immersion preschool, occupies 8,900-square-foot lease on the first floor.

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Water Street Gym Signs 6K-SF Retail Space with Marx in DC

April 24, 2024

Water Street Gym has signed a 10-year lease for 6,650 square feet at One Glover, a 110,000-square-foot office building at 2121 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Washington, DC. The gym relocated from its previous space at 3255 K St. NW to One Glover in DC’s Georgetown/Glover Park neighborhood.

Marx Realty acquired One Glover in 2022 and recently completed a repositioning of the building. “Water Street Gym brings an upscale lifestyle amenity to tenants and to the neighborhood while building on the warm and welcoming hospitality-like environment we designed into the common areas and offices at One Glover,” said Craig Deitelzweig, president and CEO of Marx Realty.

John Schlagel at Transwestern represented Water Street Gym, while Mark Wooters and James Collins at Cushman & Wakefield represented Marx Realty in the lease.

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Marx Realty Completes One Glover Repositioning, Signs Water Street Gym in DC

April 23, 2024

Central Location and Hospitality-Infused Aesthetic Draws Boutique Fitness Provider to Glover Park

Marx Realty (MNPP), a New York-based owner, developer and manager of office, retail and multifamily properties across the United States, has completed its renovation of One Glover, located at 2121 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Washington, DC. On the heels of the remarkable transformation at the One Glover office building, the firm finalized a 10-year, 6,650-square-foot lease with Water Street Gym. The boutique training facility recently relocated from its current space at 3255 K St. NW to the lower level of One Glover in DC’s Georgetown/Glover Park neighborhood. Marx Realty acquired One Glover in 2022 and recently completed a hospitality-infused repositioning at the 110,000 square-foot office building.

“Water Street Gym brings an upscale lifestyle amenity to tenants and to the neighborhood while building on the warm and welcoming hospitality-like environment we designed into the common areas and offices at One Glover,” said Craig Deitelzweig, president and CEO of Marx Realty. “Office users are continuing to demand high-quality in a superior location and the distinctive sensory experience we created at One Glover, combined with the location near parks and neighborhood amenities, is proving to be very attractive. We’ve taken full advantage of the building’s soaring ceiling heights and well-designed column spacing and infused a members-only club-like vibe that appeals to a variety of tenants.”

John Schlagel at Transwestern represented Water Street Gym and Mark Wooters and James Collins at Cushman & Wakefield represented Marx Realty in the deal.

The repositioning at One Glover began with reimagining the previously dated façade. The exterior was painted an iron ore shade with warm wood panels surrounding the entry and a bronze-clad canopy featuring the One Glover name fashioned in bronze marquee-style lettering. Oversized fluted glass doors feature brushed brass hardware while a uniformed doorman is reminiscent of the world’s finest hotels. Marx Realty also added an outdoor ‘front porch’ with a variety of seating options to complement the dramatic entry experience and pay homage to the many parks and green spaces of the Glover Park neighborhood.

A club-like lobby lounge with sophisticated finishes now provides an organic wellness vibe at One Glover. From the mixed wood accents, white-washed wood flooring, lime-washed walls and cork accents to a tiled feature wall depicting local nature scenes (commissioned by a local artisan), the lounge at One Glover exudes an elegant and timeless aesthetic. The original waffle-style ceiling features dramatic lighting and wall sconces surrounding the seating areas. Defined seating is delineated across three rooms in the lobby lounge – a coffee and water station with cork walls and ceilings, a garden room, and a serene seating space with an olive tree and organic cork features – to punctuate a luxe hotel ambience. Additionally, Marx Realty’s signature scent and mood music round out a soothing sensory experience throughout the space.

Drawn by the area’s ample parks, shopping, dining and retail options, tenants at One Glover benefit from Marx Realty’s forward-thinking team of design and operations professionals. The building is situated in the heart of the Wisconsin Avenue Corridor offering convenient access to shopping and dining, including a Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods just steps from the building. The location, and its built-in neighborhood amenities, are attractive for studio spaces, cultural organizations and media and technology companies seeking to provide a welcoming environment. Office suites boast expansive views of the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral while an onsite parking garage and bicycle storage are available for tenant use.

“We have essentially created a new asset class within the office sector by infusing our assets with the design sensibilities of the world’s finest hotels and were the first to bring the aesthetic to the DC market,” continued Deitelzweig. “One Glover is the perfect complement to our work at The Herald in DC, which has been widely regarded as the first office building to bring a true sense of hospitality to the office space. Marx Realty’s transformative approach to real estate, combined with our hands-on management, adds a level of confidence for tenants and continues to generate interest in leasing at One Glover.”

The completion of the repositioning at One Glover follows Marx Realty’s successful top-to-bottom renovation at the award-winning Herald building, which was once home to the offices and printing presses of The Washington-Herald — where Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis (then Bouvier) once worked as the “Inquiring Camera Girl.” The transformation there has resulted in attracting a remarkable tenant base of best-in-class government affairs, consulting firms and think tanks and continues to generate excitement about in-person work. And, the repositioning at The Grogan in DC’s Chinatown neighborhood has turned heads for its demure boutique hotel design aesthetic.

Marx Realty’s in-house design team partnered with Studios Architecture to execute a timeless and effortlessly elegant design vision across the firm’s assets in New York, DC and Atlanta.

Anchor office tenant Nexstar Media Group occupies the entire third floor comprising 28,766 square feet of space; architectural lighting firm George Sexton and Associates occupies 7,500 square feet; and health technology firm DispatchHealth recently signed on at One Glover. Additionally, CommuniKids, a language immersion preschool, occupies 8,900-square-foot lease on the first floor.

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