JEMB Realty Corporation (JEMB), a real estate development, investment and management organization headquartered in New York (Manhattan) today proudly announces that world renowned architecture firm, FXCollaborative, has signed a 40,000‐square‐foot, 15‐year lease at its newest commercial development – One Willoughby Square (One Willoughby) – in Downtown Brooklyn. FXCollaborative is the design architect for the 500,000‐square‐foot, 34‐story office building and will now also be the anchor tenant of One Willoughby. They will be taking floors seven through nine.
FXCollaborative is an architecture, interiors and planning firm with offices in Manhattan and Washington, D.C. From hi‐rises and multifamily buildings to cultural and educational institutions, and urban plans, FXCollaborative has had a positive impact on cityscapes and interior environments world‐wide. In addition to being the architect on One Willoughby, they have designed significant commercial developments in New York, including Eleven Times Square, 3 Hudson Boulevard and the New York Times Building (with Renzo Piano Building Workshop), to name a few.
“We are thrilled to welcome FXCollaborative as our anchor tenant to this iconic new office tower,” said Morris Bailey Chairman of JEMB Realty. “Given this is the first ground‐up office building in Brooklyn in decades we have received tremendous interest from the tenants who are looking for new construction, column free, efficient space with tremendous natural light and views. We always envisioned this building to be occupied by progressive creative companies and we are ecstatic that our vision is coming to fruition. We look forward to welcoming many more tenants into this special building.”
Andrew Weiss Signature Partners represented FXCollaborative and JEMB was represented in‐house.
“One Willoughby Square is a building that was crafted specifically for Brooklyn, promoting social and natural connectivity to amenity spaces and exterior terraces, such as the setback on the seventh floor, which allows for wide‐open work environments; something that we as a firm are passionate about,” said Guy Geier, FAIA, FIIDA, LEED AP, Managing Partner of FXCollaborative. “Many of the project’s team members are Brooklyn‐based and once we became involved with JEMB and One Willoughby Square, it felt like the perfect fit. While designing the building, we were able to imagine what we would look for as a tenant and created a building that has a sense of creativity and flexibility. We then had the epiphany that we wanted to be in this building since it will perfectly reflect our company culture.”
FXCollaborative will celebrate its 40th Anniversary this January, and has been at its current office location in Chelsea for 30 years.
“We crafted One Willoughby Square to meet the ethos of today’s creative enterprises. Every aspect of the building has been considered to promote the high degree of social and natural connectivity that these organizations crave,” said Dan Kaplan, FAIA, LEED AP, Senior Partner of FXCollaborative, and design partner for the development. “The side‐core floor plate is light filled, column free with a robust exposed concrete structure and ample outdoor spaces. The tower is organized as a series of stacked, multi‐story lofts interspaced with special ‘super floors,’ 18‐foot high ceilings and with loggias overlooking the park. The building’s expression avoids the generic, all‐glass paradigm by recalling the history and texture of industrial Brooklyn with a contemporary sensibility. A mix of oversized windows, pleated blue glazed brick spandrels and architecturally‐integrated outdoor spaces will create a distinctive presence on Willoughby Square.”
The loft spaces are bracketed by a side‐core clad in patterned grey metal panels. Dramatic two‐story, glazed windowed spaces, suitable for reception and social areas are located between the core and office loft areas and offer access to terraces and views of the park. The composition culminates in a crown of illuminated metal grilles, establishing a timeless presence on the skyline.
Sustainability is integrated into the very essence of One Willoughby. Spaces are bathed in natural light and have ample access to outdoor spaces. The exterior wall is highly efficient, with twice the insulated area of standard office buildings. Continuous horizontal sun‐shades reduce glare and save on cooling costs. A healthy lifestyle is supported by on‐site, enclosed bicycle parking with adjacent showers and the tower will also have amenities and programming. The building systems are high‐performance allowing the building to target LEED Silver certification.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Natixis provided a $56.5 million loan to JEMB for One Willoughby as well as that both JEMB and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) would bring over 300 school seats to Downtown Brooklyn. The School Construction Authority (SCA) and NYCEDC worked with JEMB to establish a public school with over 300 seats within the first six floors of the new development and a dedicated entrance on Albee Square West.
One Willoughby Square will be adjacent to a one acre park that will provide great light and air for the building as well as serve as a great public space for tenants.
JEMB confirmed that Mitchell Konsker, Vice Chairman; Howard Hersch, Managing Director and Brett Harvey, Vice President of JLL (NYSE: JLL), one of the world’s leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management, will be handling the leasing and marketing of the office tower. Located in close proximity to a number of subway lines, including the B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4 and 5, providing easy access throughout New York City. For more information about One Willoughby, visit www.1wsq.com.
About FXCollaborative
FXCollaborative leverages broad expertise in architecture, interiors, and planning to enrich our world with responsible, intelligent, and beautiful design. The firm’s holistic approach integrates client aspirations, an urban sensibility and a celebration of the craft of building. FXCollaborative’s work ranges from the scale of an individual building–office towers, multi‐family residences, cultural facilities, K‐12 and higher education institutions–to the city as a whole, addressing infrastructure and transportation. Connect with FXCollaborative: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or www.fxcollaborative.com.
About JEMB Realty Corporation
Founded in 1990 by Morris Bailey and Joseph Jerome, JEMB Realty Corporation (JEMB) is an established family‐run, forward‐thinking real estate development, investment and management organization based in New York City. Now, under the leadership of Morris Jerome, Louis Jerome, and Jacob Jerome, JEMB owns and operates a real estate portfolio totaling in excess of 6.5 million square feet throughout the United States and Canada. The firm has commanded a highly‐respected position as a key player in the real estate industry, continually seeking out new challenges and productive investments, and operating as a low‐leverage company and long‐term strategic partner active in acquisitions, innovative repositioning of real estate assets, major commercial and infrastructure investments, construction projects as well as financial structuring.