Luxury Amenities with Signature Health and Wellness Features Create Excitement About Returning to Work

While the act of going to the office may be altered by the global pandemic, one constant remains: our need to be in a place where we feel comfortable, safe and have a sense of privacy that can easily give way to the collaboration needed to maintain a successful business model. Similar to how Ian Schrager transformed the hotel industry by creating a new sensory experience for guests, Marx Realty has pioneered the successful hospitality-like design aesthetic at its office assets for companies and their tenants, providing a much-needed lifeline for the office industry in times of uncertainty.

“We pioneered the hospitality aesthetic in the office sector and know how to quickly execute a transformation that makes tenants feel like they are walking into a luxury hotel,” said Craig Deitelzweig, president and CEO of Marx Realty, a New York-based owner, developer and manager of office, retail and multifamily properties. “It starts at the front door by introducing a complete sensory experience and continues throughout the building with thoughtfully designed amenity spaces and common areas.”

Marx Realty recently announced a $24 million repositioning strategy at 545 Madison after taking control of the 18-story Plaza District office building in 2019. The hotel-like re-imagining of 545 Madison will include two floors of pre-built office suites, a redesigned lobby with Marx Realty’s signature scent and exterior entrance with a uniformed doorman and new amenities that represent the perfect combination of health and wellness with form and function. A Cushman & Wakefield team led by Tara Stacom is managing the leasing and marketing efforts at 545 Madison.  

“Industry pros are calling Craig Deitelzweig the Ian Schrager of the office space,” said Ms. Stacom of Cushman & Wakefield. “He rethought the office experience and his vision for bringing hospitality to office throughout the building results in a very unique and in-demand offering.”

News about the successful hospitality-infused transformation – and built-in wellness attributes – completed by Marx Realty at its 10 Grand Central asset spread quickly and by the time Marx Realty took control of 545 Madison, existing tenants were ready to renew and demand skyrocketed. For example, within weeks of taking control of the building, Marx Realty signed a five-year, 25,000-square foot lease renewal and expansion with financial software and applications developer Strike Technologies, and its electronic market making subsidiary Global Trading Systems (GTS). Soon after, Wells Fargo signed a retail lease taking 4,700 square feet of street level space at 545 Madison. 

“When we transformed our asset at 10 Grand Central into a space that embraces a meaningful hospitality-like aesthetic, we knew the concept would have broad appeal across our portfolio,” said Craig Deitelzweig, president and CEO of Marx Realty. “The design sensibility combined with protocols that minimize the need to come in contact with high-traffic surfaces naturally gave way to sought-after health and wellness elements, a package that attracted high profile media, technology and financial services tenants interested in providing a welcoming space for their employees. We intend to duplicate this success at 545 Madison.”

As part of its strategy at 545 Madison, Marx Realty is programming materials that are antimicrobial and luxurious at the same time including copper and specialized fabrics while the uniformed doorman and lobby personnel will work in tandem to reduce the need for tenants and visitors to come in contact with surfaces. Marx Realty’s proprietary MarxConnect software interface will be implemented in order to minimize physical interaction. Although these health and wellness attributes have now become of the utmost importance, they have been part of Marx Realty’s signature design style since 2018. Various mechanical upgrades are also under consideration as part of the plan to reposition this asset for a post-Covid-19 office world. 

Marx Realty’s plans to transform the lobby and entryway are reminiscent of a boutique hotel with a striking marquee and sophisticated neon signage created by a Brooklyn-based artist. The entry will welcome tenants and guests with rounded, fluted glass doors and blackened bronze finishes. Walnut wood and bronze finishes in the lobby will infuse the space with a hospitality feel while a variety of seating options and a well-stocked library will create a sense of community. Suspended walnut wood panels and golden lighting will create an ambiance reminiscent of the world’s finest hotel lobbies and complement the International Style of the building. Gentle curves will replace hard corners throughout the space and a signature scent, combined with mood music, will round out the soothing experience.

Also coming to 545 Madison: A new club floor with a lounge space, terrace and boardroom in order to provide tenants with additional space to work or unwind in a space outside of their traditional office setting. The lounge will feature various seating options and walnut wood and bronze finishes. A café with built-in appliances will afford tenants the ability to host catered events in the lounge. With outdoor space at a premium, the terrace will provide tenants with an urban oasis overlooking Madison Avenue. In order to accommodate large meetings and company gatherings, the boardroom will feature seating for 40. 

David Burns of Studios Architecture is the architect working with Marx on the redesign of the lobby and creation of the amenity spaces. OTJ Architects will create the pre-built suites on the 3^rd and 14^th floors.

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