December 29, 2005

GlobeSt.com EXCLUSIVE:

Brokerage Expands in Brooklyn
By Barbara Jarvie

BROOKLYN, NY-Massey Knakal Realty Services has leased approximately 18,750 sf at Treeline Co.¹s 205 Montague St. in the Downtown area. The brokerage is expanding from 4,000 sf in the Bay Ridge section.

The 10-year lease encompasses the entire third floor of the five-story class A office property. ³This new location is First and Main for Downtown Brooklyn,² says Paul Massey, Jr., founding partner of Massey Knakal, who launched the firm with Bob Knakal in 1988.

³The reason Brooklyn has been so enticing to us is that there is currently so much activity in the borough,² adds Tim King, chief operating officer of Massey Knakal who has spearheaded the firm¹s Brooklyn expansion over the past three years.

He notes that in Kings County alone there were more than 3,300 building sales last year representing more than $3 billion in transactions. ³While Massey Knakal already accounts for a significant share of this activity, our expanded Brooklyn office will allow us to further increase our share of this exciting market,² King says. Ingram & Hebron Realty together with Kraig Silver, director of Leasing at Treeline, represented Treeline, while Massey Knakal was self represented.

Massey Knakal operates three offices in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. The new Brooklyn base of operations also provides ample space to grow for a projected 100-person borough workforce and offered convenient access to a major transportation hub and great signage opportunities for the growing company, according to Treeline officials. ³Massey Knakal looked at multiple locations throughout downtown Brooklyn,² King says before deciding on 205 Montague.

³The Brooklyn market has never been more attractive, and we believe that this lease reflects what the Treeline Cos. has known for quite some time--that Downtown Brooklyn has a bright future and is a great investment for companies who are committed to the long-term future of this great borough,² adds Glenn Schor, chief operating officer Treeline, which currently owns a five-building, 600,000-sf Brooklyn portfolio that includes 180 Livingston St., 175 Remsen St. and 188, 189 and 205 Montague. Treeline is also developing 100,000 sf of new class A office space at a former Macy¹s warehouse at 29 Gallatin Place.