High end furniture firm takes space at 136 Madison

Real Estate Weekly, August 13, 2008

GVA Williams announced that Domus Design Collection (DDC), a unique and elegant furniture and interior design firm, has leased the ground floor and basement of 136 Madison Avenue--a total of 27,950 s/f--for a 15-year term. The firm expects to refurbish and take occupancy of the space before the end of 2008.

136 Madison Ave was purchased by principals of GVA Williams and other investors almost 30 years ago. The 16-story, 280,000 s/f building houses office tenants including Interpublic, Skanska Construction and Aristeia Capital LLC.

The building is now benefitting from an extensive lobby renovation and work on its facade.

"Although there was much interest in the retail space, the magnificence of DDC's products will complement the classic architecture of the building and the installation of 18-foot-tall arched windows, 10 of which will be installed in the 258 lineal feet of Street frontage on both Madison Avenue and 31st Street," said Jerome M. Cohen, chairman of Williams Real Estate Co. Inc.

DDC has retained architects Rodolfo Dordoni of Milan and Ilan Weisbrod, Studio GALA, to design the interior of the ground floor retail space. These two firms are best known for their international roster of fashion and restaurant clients. Once the build-out is completed, DDC will relocate from its current showroom 181 Madison Avenue.