Nomura Leases 900,000-SF in Relocation to Midtown Manhattan

29 Jun, 2011, New York

In a major leasing transaction that provides one of the city's iconic midtown office properties with a dynamic new anchor tenant, Nomura Holding America Inc., the U.S subsidiary of Tokyo-based Nomura Holdings, Inc., has leased over 900,000 square feet of space at Worldwide Plaza for its Americas headquarters.

The financial services company expects to relocate to its new home from its current headquarters at 2 World Financial Center in mid-2013.

In all, Nomura has leased 20 full floors in the distinctive 1.8 million square foot Class A office tower that occupies the entire westerly blockfront of Eighth Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets.

"We are delighted to welcome one of the financial services industry's global leaders to Worldwide Plaza," stated Peter S. Duncan, President and CEO of George Comfort & Sons, who heads the investment group, WWP Office, LLC, that owns the property. WWP Office, LLC is a partnership comprised of George Comfort & Sons, RCG Longview, headed by Jay Anderson, and DRA Advisors, headed by David Luski.

"We are excited about the building which will provide a world-class headquarters to continue to grow our U.S. presence. This demonstrates our long-term commitment to build a top-tier investment bank in the U.S.," said Atsushi Yoshikawa, President & CEO Nomura Holding America Inc.

Nomura is taking 10 vacant floors as well as 10 floors presently occupied by Universal Music Group, which is leaving the building at the end of the year.

According to Mr. Duncan, the Nomura lease brings Worldwide Plaza to over 95 percent occupancy.

John Cefaly, Rob Lowe, Clark Finney and Anthony Pasqual of Cushman & Wakefield, together with Ed Donery and David Heller of C&W's Transactions Group, represented Nomura in the 20-year leasing transaction while Mr. Duncan and George Comfort & Senior Vice President Matt Coudert represented the building ownership.

Asking rents at Worldwide Plaza are in the mid-50's range.

Designed by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Worldwide Plaza was developed by William Zeckendorf, Jr. and completed in 1989. The property boasts three separate lobbies and a center core design allowing large corporate tenants the opportunity for private entrances leading to large blocks of space.

One of New York City's oldest and most respected real estate companies, George Comfort & Sons specializes in acquisitions, asset and property management and brokerage, and offers full service leasing, construction and finance capabilities. It manages over 11 million square feet of commercial real estate nationally.

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