The commercial real estate investment firms of Faros Properties, LLC and Caspi Development, LLC recently announced their joint acquisition of the 1950s Art Deco former Nestle headquarters at 120 Bloomingdale Road in White Plains, N.Y. The 6-acre property and its four-story, 145,000-square-foot office building sold at a deep discount for $10.5 million. The building will undergo extensive renovations to the interior, exterior, courtyard, and roof that are targeted for completion by fall 2013.
The property, previously appraised at $33 million, was acquired from a special servicer of commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) after the previous owner defaulted on its CMBS loan. Carl Austin of Austin Corporate Properties in Rye Brook, N.Y. represented Faros and Caspi. The seller, C-III Realty Services, was represented by Joseph Garibaldi, IV, of Jones Lang LaSalle. Jeff Weinberg and Jack Adler of Meridian Capital Group arranged financing through New York Community Bank.
“The acquisition of 120 Bloomingdale Road adds an attractive asset to our growing portfolio of office properties in the Westchester/Fairfield County market,” says Alexander Leventhal, Managing Partner, Faros Properties. “This transaction represents our collective current focus on acquisitions and speaks to the strength of our platform.” Faros and Caspi have hired Gallin Beeler Design Studio in Tarrytown to design a new facade for the building, and also plan to renovate its parking lot and interior areas.
The new owners are actively seeking additional tenants to fill the approximately 50,000 square feet of available space in the building, including a 20,000 full floor that is divisible. Among the building’s features are flexible floor plans, a private roof deck, on-site property management and concierge, 24/7 building access, and a private 100-car parking deck. It is conveniently located across from Bloomingdales, one block from The Westchester shopping mall, and within easy access of both highways and public transportation. Current tenants include the New York State Department of Labor, Nationwide Insurance, Byram Healthcare, Oxman Tulis Kirkpatrick Whyatt & Geiger L.L.P., and Keller Williams Realty White Plains.
“The property offers significant cost savings to prospective tenants,” explains Joshua Caspi, Principal, Caspi Development. “For example, a 5,000-square-foot tenant could easily save around $50,000 annually by relocating from pricier downtown White Plains to our park-like setting.” Caspi adds that a planned complementary shuttle bus will enable building tenants to access train transportation and enjoy shops and dining downtown.
“Our planned improvements and repositioning of this property increase its appeal in today’s competitive leasing environment,” says Jeremy Leventhal, Managing Partner, Faros Properties. “We look forward to welcoming new tenants and retaining our excellent existing tenant base at 120 Bloomingdale Road.”
Faros Properties seeks additional direct and venture investment opportunities in the New York and Boston areas as they expand their portfolio, primarily seeking distressed opportunities created from the economic downturn. Additionally, Faros and Caspi continue to look for properties in their target markets.
Faros Properties, LLC, is located at 551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 413, New York, N.Y. 10176, 212.299.8700, http://www.farosproperties.com.
Caspi Development, LLC, is located at 3010 Westchester Avenue, Suite 106, Purchase, N.Y. 10577, 914.694.8300, https://caspidevelopment.com.