Big Apple deal gets done at big RECon show

Empire Outlets is New York City’s first and only outlet center so it was only fitting that a contract related to the major project was consummated at the retail real estate industry’s biggest show.



BFC Partners, developer of the 350,000-sq.-ft. Empire Outlets project formed a strategic partnership with private real estate investment and operating company Madison Marquette to advise ownership during the development and construction phase of the project on matters relating to leasing, tenant coordination, management and marketing. The contract was finalized during the International Council of Shopping Center’s (ICSC) RECon conference, which took place May 22-25 in Las Vegas.



“In selecting Madison Marquette, we are excited to be bringing on a nationally-recognized management team to Empire Outlets as our project schedule moves forward,” said Joseph Ferrara, principal at BFC Partners. “We are confident that they will provide the full scope of work required to ensure the timely and successful opening of our center on time and on budget.”



Located directly adjacent to the St. George Ferry Terminal, in Staten Island, the multi-million dollar Empire Outlets project will include approximately 100 designer outlet retailers, a 190-room hotel featuring a rooftop venue with expansive waterfront views, a 1,250-space structured parking garage and a 40,000-sq.-ft. food and beverage deck situated to provide extraordinary views of the Manhattan skyline. The project will be adjacent to the New York Wheel, which will be one of the tallest observation wheels in the Western hemisphere.



“We are excited to be partnering with BFC on this transformative assignment,” said Thomas Gilmore, senior managing director, real estate services at Madison Marquette. “Our selection by BFC reflects our growing appeal to major companies in gateway markets across the country.”