Ask.com To Move Regional Offices

WHITE PLAINS-The regional operations of Internet search engine Ask.com will be moving to here by year’s end. The firm, a subsidiary of the Oakland, CA based IAC Search and Media Co,, has signed a long-term lease for 26,878 sf on a portion of the ninth floor of the Gateway building at One North Lexington Ave.

Ask.com, which was formerly known as Ask Jeeves.com, currently leases about 19,000 sf on multiple floors at One Bridge St. in Irvington, NY, says Steve Baker, senior director of Cushman & Wakefield, who represented Ask.com. The firm’s lease at the Irvington property ends at the end of this year.

Baker says that the new lease will allow the firm to maintain operations on one floor. He adds that Ask.com liked Gateway’s central location near Manhattan and the White Plains railroad station. “Part of the reason for the move is that the location by the train station allows them to attract employees from New York City and up the line,” Baker adds.

William Cuddy and Hilarie Siles of CB Richard Ellis’ Westchester/Fairfield office represented the Alaska Permanent Fund, the owner of the 530,000-sf office. Cuddy says the lease is a “testament to White Plains’ on-going appeal to technology and creative tenants, as well as its strategic location for providing services throughout the tri-state region.” There is approximately 120,000 sf of space still available for lease.