SUCCESS STORIES

Vortex’s professionals have completed assignments for an array of prominent tenants across a variety of industries.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

• Coller Capital Inc.
  This multinational investment firm with offices in London, New York and Hong Kong, initially hired Vortex in 2004 to assist with its first New York office requirement. Since that time, Vortex has advised Coller on three subsequent expansion/renewal transactions. Most recently in 2012, Vortex assisted Coller executives in finding and gut renovating the 29th , 11,542 square foot floor at 950 Third Avenue on the corner of 57th Street. This impressive space offers views of both the Hudson and East rivers, along with 360 degree views of Manhattan. Vortex negotiated an aggressive rent package which included significant free rent and a fully built-out high end office installation.
• Lazard Freres & Co., LLC
  Rick began assisting Lazard Freres with its office space requirements in 1974 completing an assignment for the firm’s 110,000 square foot relocation from 44 Wall Street to One Rockefeller Plaza. In 1995, he continued assisting Lazard with a 240,000 square foot relocation to 30 Rockefeller Plaza and a lease for 113,000 square feet at 600 Fifth Avenue in 1999. He disposed of the latter space in 2001, earning Lazard a $2,500,000 termination fee. His most recent work included expansion space at 630 Fifth Avenue in February 2010. Overall, Rick and Vortex have more than 500,000 square feet of leasing experience with the firm.
• BNP Paribas
  In anticipation of major growth in New York, BNP Paribas retained Vortex to help the bank consolidate their operations for greater efficiency while allowing for future growth. Our space analysis included a thorough search of midtown and downtown Manhattan, along with a built-to-suit option in the Stamford, Connecticut area, which was comprehensively analyzed against Manhattan lease situations. Vortex identified the newly-renovated 919 Third Avenue with its large floor plates as the ideal alternative for BNP Paribas. Drawing on our negotiations expertise, we then proceeded with helping the bank to relocate over a two-year period, avoiding the “double rent” penalty often incurred with overlapping leases.
• Raymond James and Associates

LEGAL INDUSTRY

• Akerman LLP
  Initially retained in 2005 to assist this 500 attorney Florida-based law firm set up its first Manhattan office, Vortex has assisted the firm with its New York office space requirements every year since. Vortex's involvement includes introducing Akerman to New York real estate law firm Stadtmauer Bailkin which they subsequently acquired. In 2012, Vortex once again represented the firm to lease over 48,000 square feet on floors 19 and 20 at 666 Fifth Avenue. In 2013, 2014 and 2015 Vortex negotiated three separate expansion agreements with the landlord to lease an additional 36,000 square feet, for a total 84,000 square feet in the building.
• Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
  Patrick Oxford, Esq, Managing Partner of this 450 attorney, Houston based law firm retained Vortex to assist the firm in setting up a New York office. While setting up interim offices in Vortex’s conference room, Pat concluded negotiations with New York’s former mayor to become a senior partner at the firm. This event changed the office space requirements of the company completely and it now occupies approximately 50,000 square feet at 1177 Avenue of the Americas.
• Liddle & Robinson, L.L.P.
  This 30,000 square foot labor law firm initially retained Vortex in late 2008 to renew its lease and add expansion space at 800 Third Avenue. The initial lack of flexibility of the landlord led to an evaluation of all viable midtown alternatives throughout the first 6 months of 2009. By August, the landlord of 800 Third Avenue, concerned with losing Liddle & Robinson LLP as a tenant, reduced the firm’s base rental rate by $25.00 per square foot, doubled the free rent concession, and increased the work allowance from $30.00 per square foot to $55.00 per square foot.
• Robins , Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP
  In arranging for this 250 attorney, Minneapolis based firm’s first New York office this year, the firm had more than 40 viable building alternatives. As Robins was hiring New York attorneys rapidly, we set the firm up in temporary space, while exploring the marketplace. Vortex helped the firm to negotiate an economically advantageous sublease for 30,000 square feet at the Citicorp Center in midtown.
• Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP
  By 1985, this insurance defense law firm was expanding rapidly in New York. An initial assignment was completed for the firm’s relocation to 150,000 square feet at 150 East 42nd Street (the former Mobil Building). Additional expansion increased the firm’s occupancy to 175,000 square feet. During the past 10 years, Rick has been involved with helping the firm’s White Plains, New York office grow from 25,000 to 140,000 square feet. He has also assisted with the relocation of 10 branch offices, and is currently completing an assignment for the firm’s 50,000 square foot New Jersey office.
• JAMS

MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY

• Integrated Media Solutions
• StyleCaster Media
• Story Worldwide
• Tandberg

APPAREL/TEXTILES/MANUFACTURING

• Gerson & Gerson
• FILA
• Milliken & Company
  Ranked as one of the best employers in America and repeatedly honored for its green initiatives, textile manufacturer Milliken turned to Vortex to assist in the relocation of its New York City headquarters offices. Two transactions negotiated by Vortex have placed the company in premises at 350 Madison Avenue and 875 Avenue of the Americas.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

• Madison Square Boys and Girls Club
• The Dennelisse Corporation
  As one of the most prominent and dedicated non-profit social healthcare training organizations in New York City was coming to the end of a two-decade long lease, Dennelisse retained Vortex to develop a strategic real estate plan to position the organization in the most advantageous situation both financially and aesthetically. While location was not a defining requirement, efficiency and quality of work environment was a key concern. Vortex helped the organization to successfully relocate to 16 East 40th Street where they leased an entire floor, reducing their overall occupancy by 20% and saving over $150,000 per year in additional expenses.