Madison Avenue welcomes another jewel of a tenant

Real Estate Weekly, Oct 12, 2005

As part of its planned national expansion, the team of Faith Hope Consolo, Chairman, and Joseph A. Aquino, Executive Vice President, of Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Leasing and Sales Division, represented both the tenant and landlord in a long-term lease for Lockes Diamantaires' U.S. flagship at 685 Madison Avenue.

The diamond jewelry scion will launch the 1,000 s/f ground floor location, along what is now called the "Bejeweled Mile" because of all of the fine jewelry retailers found along its length, as a springboard for shops in several major cities throughout the country.

The new shop will resemble the inside of a jewel box. It is slated to open in time for the holiday shopping season. "Following the success of Lockes' Time Warner Center store, they sought out a gem of a location that would set the tone for their planned retail roll-out," explains Ms. Consolo, who along with Mr. Aquino is spearheading Lockes' national expansion.

"Madison Avenue is a 'must have' for a retailer of Lockes' caliber. Additional markets for Lockes stores have been identified, and the diamantaire plans to open five stores in the next three years, in cities such as LA, Las Vegas and Boston."