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Empire Stores is an abandoned heritage restored. We present you with historical innovation and the opportunity to be
A PA R T O F H I S T O R Y
CO NTENTS
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FO U N D I N G
TR A N S FO R M ATI O N
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LO C ATI O N
LI FE S T Y LE
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Since the late 1960s, the Empire Stores has sat empty, untouched and waiting as the neighborhood and city around it transformed. The Empire Stores is truly unique, representing the last surviving brick storehouses that at one point lined nearly three miles of Brooklyn’s East River waterfront. Once referred to as “the Walled City,� Brooklyn and the hundreds of its fortress-like warehouses were a thriving center of shipping, industry, and commerce. Erected in phases from 1869-1985, the Empire Stores still retains its original distinctive features: a handsome brick masonry facade, glittering schist structural walls, and heavy frame timber construction. For nearly a century, the Empire Stores housed countless bags of coffee beans and other wares enroute to their final destinations. Photo credit: Brooklyn Historical Society
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The Brooklyn working waterfront Photo credit: Brooklyn Historical Society
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Empire Stores from Water Street in 1936 Photo credit: Brooklyn Historical Society
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AN EMPIRE RESTORED
The richly layered vision for the Empire Stores reimagines a once forgotten warehouse as a modern center of community, culture, and creativity. Once realized, the Empire Stores will create a dynamic urban environment, transforming this former industrial site into a vibrant self-sustaining destination. The story of this iconic building, a central component to the history of Brooklyn’s past, will play a leading role in the borough’s bright and promising future.
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RIVERFRONT DINING
Over 25,000 square feet of Brooklyn Bridge Park facing
restaurant spaces operated by New York’s top restaurateurs and chefs featuring dedicated outdoor seating and incredible views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, New York Harbor and the downtown Manhattan Skyline. Waterfront dining along the Brooklyn Bridge Park
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THE COURTYARD
The design creates an exciting sequence of surprising spatial
events by complementing the historic building’s regular geometry and rhythmic window pattern, with contemporary interior architecture and state of the art building systems. The Courtyard acts as Empire Stores’ hub of mixed uses
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PASSAGEWAY TO THE PARK
An inventive combination of interior and exterior strategies will
introduce the Empire Stores’ beautiful schist walls, round-arched windows, and corbelled brick cornices as principal components to the LEED certified design, offering a fresh alternative to conventional office space. The passageway connects the Brooklyn Bridge Park with Empire Stores
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HIGH TECH EPICENTER
An entrance framed with schist, exposed brick, walls of glass and
pine beamed ceilings is just the precursor to 385,000 RSF of allocated/ of available office space. With state of the art technology and mechanical infrastructure within Empire Stores provides a modern and sustainable facility for any industry in a building of historical significance.
Water Street entrance to Empire Stores
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RESTORED BRICK OFFICE SPACE
FLOORS 2-4
the largest
The base level floors, in DUMBO at approximately 100,000 rsf, accentuate the building’s historic character. Pine columns meet with 12’ pine beamed ceilings providing occupants with a truly unique creative environment. Further highlighting the building’s original charm, the spaces are surrounded by exposed brick and schist walls that contain oversized windows overlooking the East River and Manhattan’s skyline. Brick office interior facing into the courtyard and park
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NEW GLASS ADDITION
FLOORS 5-6
13’9” ceiling
Emerging from the base, floor 5 and 6 offers heights, floor to ceiling glass window and dedicated terrace spaces. The unrivaled views offer unobstructed panoramas of the East River, Manhattan’s skyline and Brooklyn itself. View from the 6th floor office space
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ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
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ROOFTOP: PUBLIC PARK AND PRIVATE TERRACES
With a unique mix of office, retail, cultural and recreational spaces, the Empire Stores will provide DUMBO an inspired source of year-round activity. Carefully curated retail activates the streetscape and Park, while dedicated cultural space will explore the building’s legacy. Rooftop restaurants flanking a grand public open space provide unobstructed views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline. These diverse uses are tied together and collectively to the Park by a comprehensive landscape strategy that includes plazas, café seating, an open-air courtyard, and planted roofs. Overlooking Empire Stores’ public and private outdoor space
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THE NEW HEART OF BROOKLYN
A ten block cluster of repurposed warehouses and
cobblestone streets, DUMBO anchors the Brooklyn Bridge’s eastern tower. With a thriving art scene, world class parks and events, and the city’s most exciting retailers and restaurateurs, this waterfront neighborhood presents a uniquely rich cross-section of New York City’s diverse cultural experiences. Empire Stores aerial view
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TRANSPORTATION The Empire Stores enjoys the benefits of New York City’s world class transportation system and possesses tremendous connectivity to the surrounding area.
from DUMBO to (Approximate Time) subway
Grand Central
Lower Manhattan
Midtown South
Williamsburg
Park Slope
22min (4,5,6,A,F)
16min (A,C)
24min (4,5,6,A,F)
23min (M,F,J,C)
26min (F,G,C)
Grand Central
Lower Manhattan
Midtown South
Williamsburg
Park Slope
22min
10min
16min
14min
13min
Bus
Cadman
Fort Greene
Bed-Stuy
The existing B25 bus stop along Water Street drops off and picks up passengers immediately in front of the Empire Stores, providing a direct connection Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, and beyond.
Fulton Street
8min
14min
20min
27min
34th Street
Long Island City
Greenpoint
N Williamsburg
S Williamsburg
Financial District
25min
20min
15min
10min
5min
5min
A short walk to A, C, and F train accessible subway stations, the Empire Stores is one stop away from Manhattan to the west and the Metrotech / Borough Hall transit hub to the east (2, 3, 4, 5, and R trains).
Bicycle The Empire Stores offers direct access to the Brooklyn Greenway, a network of protected bicycle paths, local rental and repair shops, and a number of bike-share stations.
Ferry DUMBO’s dedicated ferry stop affords the Empire Stores a reliable and affordable transit alternative to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens destinations.
Parking More than 1,200 off-street parking spaces are currently available or in construction within two blocks of the Empire Stores.
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NEIGHBORHOOD EATING + DRINKING
RETAIL
SERVICES
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68 Jay St Bar
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111 Front Street Galleries
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111 Front Street Galleries
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7 Old Fulton Restaurant
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VII Photo Agency
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VII Photo Agency
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Almar
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Bargemusic
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Bargemusic
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Archway Café
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Bose Pacia Gallery
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Bose Pacia Gallery
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Almondine Bakery
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Brooklyn Arts Council
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Galapagos Art Space
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Bridge Fresh Market
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Dumbo Arts Center
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powerHouse Arena
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Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar
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Century Paint & Hardware Lumber
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Rabbithole Studio
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Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
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Chase
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Smack Mellon Gallery
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Brooklyn Roasting Company
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Cheeky Dog
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Spring Design & Art
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Calexico Cart
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Copyright
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White Wave Dance Company
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Dumbo Kitchen
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Cross Fit Dumbo
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Pierhouse and One Hotel
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Foragers
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J’s Wine & Spirits
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DUMBO Hardware
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Front Street Pizza
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Jacques Torres
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The DUMBO Loft
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Grimaldi’s
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Journey
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The DUMBO Spot
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Gran Eletrica
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Julian’s and Julia’s
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Eyedrop Optique
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Jacques Torres Ice Cream
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Melville House Publishing
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Gleason’s Gym
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Jimi’s Market
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Modern Anthology
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Golden Bridge Cleaners
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Juliana’s
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Neighborhoodies
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Gramercy Park Flower Shop
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La Bagel Delight
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NOS Boutique
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The <3 Lab
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Miso Restaurant
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Olga Guanabara
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Imagine Early Learning Center
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Atrium
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Pet Web Express
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Jay & J Nail
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One Girl Cookies
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Pomme
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Limo Nerd
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Peas & Pickles
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P.S. Bookshop
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Promenade Car Service
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Pedro’s
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Recycle-a-Bicycle
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Rapid Realty
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Punto Bianco
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The Shops
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Salon de Quartier
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reBar
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Stewart / Stand
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Sovereign Bank
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The River Café
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Trunk
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U.S. Post Office
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Shake Shack
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West Elm Market
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Vinegar Hill Veterinary Group
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Starbucks
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West Elm
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Superfine
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Water Street Restaurant and Lounge
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Aegir Boardwords Baxter & Liebchen Blanc & Rouge Blueberi BoConcept Brooklyn Industries Dewey’s Candy Frameworks New York H & A Upholstery Halcyon the Shop Half Pint Citizens
CULTURAL
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BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
The Empire Stores sits along the East River waterfront in the heart of Brooklyn Bridge Park. This vibrant urban oasis, designed by internationally renowned landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, offers 85-acres of awardwinning active and passive recreation spaces programmed across 1.3 miles. The only office property set within the Park, the Empire Stores provides unparalleled access to expansive green lawns, modern sports facilities, sprawling skyline vistas, and world class events. View of the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park
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CREATIVE CULTURE
290,000 tech jobs
With more than , New York City has emerged as one of the nation’s leading technology hubs, second only to Silicon Valley. Growth has been and continues to be supported by the city’s unique competitive advantages: access to world-class talent, a direct connection to global capital sources, and a seat at the forefront of cutting edge design innovation. Outside of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Tech Triangle is New York City’s strongest tech magnet, attracting local entrepreneurs and global thought leaders alike. The Brooklyn Tech Triangle, which consists of the DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, and Brooklyn Navy Yard neighborhoods, includes more than 500 innovation firms expected to undergo a transformative period of growth, adding 60,000 jobs within the next two years. Hundred of digital and creative companies working in close proximity to one another breeds countless new innovations and collaborations, lending DUMBO the sensation of an “neighborhood incubator.” This larger sense of community blurs the traditional lines between work and play, with monthly tech meet-ups, shared co-working environments, and abundant social programming creating added opportunities for spontaneous ideation.
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24/7 ACTIVITIES
Take a ride on Jane’s Carousel, catch a movie
in the Park, see a concert at Galapagos – DUMBO has it all. From the St. Ann’s Warehouse theater, to the Smorgasburg seasonal food festival, monthly First Thursday gallery tours and annual celebrations like the DUMBO Arts Festival, there’s always something to do. Jane’s Carousel Night View
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Midtown Equities LLC
HK Organization
Midtown Equities is a privately held real estate investment and development company that is headquartered in New York. The firm was founded by Joe Cayre who serves as Midtown Equitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Chairman and leads the firm with his two sons, Jack and Michael Cayre. With a portfolio of more than 100 properties in the retail, office, residential, industrial and hospitality sectors, the firm actively acquires, develops and leases properties ranging from urban redevelopment projects to commercial centers. With a focus on prime retail properties, Midtown Equities maintains holdings in urban markets including New York, Washington D.C., Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as abroad.
HK Organization is a diversified real estate firm focused on operating and developing properties throughout the NY metropolitan area. HK Organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional team combines many years of industry specific knowledge in all facets of real estate acquisition, development and management. With vast experience in adaptive reuse and converting existing structures as well as ground up construction, HK Organization has successfully developed several million square feet of residential, commercial and industrial products.
Rockwood Capital, LLC Rockwood Capital is a privately-held real estate investment firm with offices in White Plains, NY, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Rockwood provides equity and debt capital for core, core-plus, value-add, and special situation real estate investment opportunities in key US markets. The firm manages more than $7.0 billion of office, retail, residential, hotel and mixed-use assets on behalf of over 90 public and private pension plans, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, and high networth families and individuals.
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Perkins Eastman
VISUALHOUSE
Perkins Eastman is a 750-person architecture, interior design, and planning firm founded in 1981 and is now one of the largest and most respected design organizations in the world. The firm prides itself on progressive and inventive design that meets client goals and enhances the human experience. Because of its depth and range, Perkins Eastman works seamlessly with developers and owners on assignments from niche buildings to complex projects that enrich whole communities. The firm provides award-winning design through its eight domestic offices and internationally through offices in the UAE, Ecuador, India, China, and Canada.
Visualhouse is a creative agency focused on creating compelling brand stories for architecture, design and the built environment. Our clients inspire us: we work worldwide with leading architects, developers, designers and agencies on landmark schemes. Each project is unique, and to each we bring a fresh pair of eyes and a multi-disciplinary team skilled in 3D visualisation, graphic design, marketing, copywriting, branding, film and animation. With a formal background in architecture, we are able to deconstruct a project and find the most appropriate communication method to inform, persuade and engage target audiences.
STUDIO V Architecture STUDIO V Architecture is committed to innovative architecture that connect contemporary design with urban culture. STUDIO V rapidly rose to prominence for its expertise in urban architecture, innovative waterfront master planning, the re-design of former industrial sites, and the integration of contemporary architecture with historic structures. Recent projects include the complete redesign of Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic Herald Square building, an extensive series of new public parks and sustainable residential communities that are transforming the Astoria waterfront, a major contemporary architectural addition to Yonkers Raceway, and recently, and the recent designation as architect to redesign the area surrounding the train station in Stamford, Connecticut.
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Š 2014 Peter Lik Fine Art Photography
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W I L L YO U B E A PA R T O F H I S T O R Y ?
empirestoresdumbo.com
ALL DIMENSIONS ARE APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CONSTRUCTION VARIANCES. PLANS AND DIMENSIONS MAY CONTAIN MINOR VARIATIONS FROM FLOOR TO FLOOR. SQUARE FOOTAGE MAY EXCEED THE USABLE FLOOR AREA AND INCLUDE COLUMNS, MECHANICAL PIPES, SHAFTS, SHAFTWAYS, CHASEWAYS AND CONDUITS AND OTHER BUILDING ELEMENTS. FURNITURE DEPICTED HEREIN IS FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. RENDERINGS ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. PROSPECTIVE TENANTS SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THESE DEPICTIONS AND ARE ADVISED TO INDEPENDENTLY REVIEW THE TYPE, QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF MATERIALS, APPLIANCES, EQUIPMENT AND FIXTURES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BUILDING, AMENITY AREAS AND COMMON AREAS OF THE PROPERTY.
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