'Dress for Success' build-out complete

Real Estate Weekly, March 20, 2002

AGG Construction Corp. recently completed the build-out of the executive offices of Dress for Success Worldwide and its New York affiliate at 32 E. 31st St. ACC president Michele Medaglia donated the construction portion of the project in its entirety.

Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization that provides interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to more than 30,000 disadvantaged women in 72 cities worldwide annually. The organization helps low-income women make tailored transitions into the workforce. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and a second suit when she gets the job. The Dress for Success Professional Women's Group program then provides ongoing support to help the client build a successful career.

"I am proud to be part of such a positive organization that assists women in improving their opportunities in business," said Medaglia. "Dress for Success reaches each and every woman on a personal level. More than just providing them with outfits, the organization gives them a strong foundation in which to build a prosperous career."

Dress for Success consolidated both its worldwide headquarters and New York offices from 19 Union Square West and 130 W. 30th St. to a new 6,000-SF duplex at 32 E. 31st St.

"Our move to the new location would not be possible without the generous donation and support from Michele and the other women-owned businesses that provided their time and resources to this project," said Nancy Lublin, founder and executive director of Dress for Success.

While ACC Construction built out the new office space and managed the project from inception to completion, four additional women-owned businesses assisted them in their efforts. GMS Auditing & Consulting was responsible for all the wiring, Ko-Bar Electric handled electrical installations, L. Kanner Flooring provided the flooring, and the trio of Priya Patel, Nathalie Brodhead and Melanie Martin served as the architects on the project. Kirsten Monier-Riley, of Cushman and Wakefield, acted as the broker in the lease transaction.