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FEATURE ARTICLE, SEPTEMBER 2005
VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS NEW YORK CITY
Companies are finding that virtual office space gives them a New York City presence for less cost and commitment.
Melissa Libner
No more lengthy leases, no more tours, no more talk of price per square foot. Establishing a presence in the New York City area is easier then ever with eemerge, a separately managed, self-funded company that operates a 65,000-square-foot business center within an SL Green-owned property. Setting up a virtual office allows tenants to utilize a legitimate business address without actually occupying physical space. Companies that are not ready to commit to long-term leases, subleases or temporary space can take advantage of eemerge’s virtual office packages.
Initially offering this service at 440 Ninth Avenue, tenants were quick to respond.
“We are virtually operational as needed, in order to conduct business in New York on the go,” says Florencio Navarro, president of Quality Wines of Spain, an importer and marketer of fine wine from Spain and one of the many virtual tenants at 440 Ninth Avenue. “I can even take my 212 number with me when I’m done with the virtual office,” he says.
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A map of Midtown Manhattan shows eemerge’s first virtual office location, 440 Ninth Avenue, which is also pictured at right.
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In catering to both the small and large business owner, eemerge found that companies yearned for a presence in New York without having to commit to steep overhead and long-term leases. A virtual office became the more economical option for companies just starting out and also became a temporary option while companies were looking for direct space. Virtual office space is a great option for companies looking to enter the New York market from anywhere in the country or abroad. It’s a way to establish a business identity in Manhattan, as a precursor to committing to temporary or permanent space, and it provides a way to remotely do business in and out of the city without the economic burden of a physical presence.
In the past few months, eemerge has seen the demand for virtual office space skyrocket. Hence, the company has decided to expand its portfolio and include a selection of prestigious addresses from the SL Green-owned and managed portfolio buildings. Now eemerge will be able to target an array of address requirements. For example, production companies have expressed interest in the 440 Ninth Avenue location, and eemerge has already been receiving calls from hedge funds, lawyers and accountants about new virtual options at 100 Park Avenue, 1 Park Avenue and 625 Madison Avenue. Thus, the distinct addresses will appeal to specific clusters of like-kind space users, and eemerge hopes to have a location that appeals to all walks of businesses. Eventually, the company looks to expand its options even further within other eemerge facilities.
Establishing a virtual presence at eemerge is seamless and easy. The tenant is given a local 212 number, a mail/messenger drop address, access to individual office space on a pay-per-day basis, personalized call answering, and conference room usage. Prices range from $100 per month to $375 per month, depending on the level of services used.
According to Tom Hogan, account executive with Bright Star Couriers, which operates the message centers for SL Green’s eight-property portfolio of virtual offices, “The opportunity for our clients to virtually exist at an established New York City Midtown address, receive mail, and ensure telephones are personally answered, means effectively that they are ‘in business.’ That’s a huge advantage.”
A virtual tenant has the option of utilizing eight of eemerge’s prestigious locations as its permanent or temporary New York City office address. The locations include: 440 Ninth Avenue; 28 West 44th Street; The Graybar Building at 420 Lexington Avenue; 100 Park Avenue; The News Building at 220 East 42nd Street; 625 Madison Avenue; 21 Penn Plaza; and 1 Park Avenue.
Melissa Libner is a senior managing director with eemerge.
Eemerge locations with both virtual office and temporary office space:
• 440 Ninth Avenue
• 28 West 44th Street
Eemerge locations with virtual office space:
• The Graybar Building at 420 Lexington Avenue
• 100 Park Avenue
• The News Building at 220 East 42nd Street
• 625 Madison Avenue
• 21 Penn Plaza
• 1 Park Avenue. |
©2005 France Publications, Inc. Duplication
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