Studley brings a new street-side television studio to Lincoln Center

Real Estate Weekly, Nov 26, 2008

Lincoln Center, Manhattan's renowned performing arts center, will soon become home to WNET.ORG, parent company of public media outlets Thirteen and WLIW 21 and one of the nation's leading providers of programming for public television stations across America. The global news show Worldfocus, which launched on public television October 6, will be produced at the new facility, in addition to other programs.

This state-of-the-art 4,500 s/f street side studio is located within the Avery Fisher Hall building, situated at Broadway and West 66th Street--newly created retail space that is part of the complex's ongoing renovation.

"Lincoln Center is the ideal location for Thirteen and WLIW21, both producers of an array of artistic, educational, and international programming," said Ira Schuman, Studley executive vice president, who along with David R. Dusek, senior managing director, represented WNET.ORG in the 15-year lease transaction.

"We were excited to marry two great groups--Lincoln Center and Channel 13--in a very unique retail location," said David LaPierre, senior vice president, CB Richard Ellis, who represented Lincoln Center.

"The synergies between both parties will be a great positive, and will create a real buzz in the neighborhood and the Lincoln Center campus."

"Thirteen and WLIW 21 viewers and supporters and board members tend to gravitate to Lincoln Center because of its cultural surroundings and will now have the ability to watch the inner workings of its new ground and second floor studio," added Dusek.

The new studio is expected to open in the of Spring 2009.

Neal Shapiro, CEO and president of WNET.ORG, said, "We are thrilled to be moving Worldfocus to a street side studio, and its location in the Avery Fisher Hall building is ideal for us. Having a Lincoln Center address sends the message that WNET.ORG is committed to programming of depth, substance, and cultural significance for the New York community and the nation."

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Attorneys in the transaction were Anne Rabbino Esq. of Butzel Long for WNET.ORG and Raymond Sanseverino Esq. of Loeb & Loeb for Lincoln Center.