NEW YORK CITY—Helen Keller Services for the Blind has signed a long-term lease deal to occupy more than 46,000 square feet of space at Thor Equities' 180 Livingston St. building in Downtown Brooklyn.

The services provider to blind and deaf-blind individuals signed a 30-year lease for 46,240 square feet that comprises the entire second floor and part of the first floor of the six-story building. The agency's space will in fact create a separate building within the mixed-use property that also contains retail space, according to Thor Equities officials.

Helen Keller Services for the Blind is a regional division of Helen Keller Services that covers the New York City/Long Island area. The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults is a national division headquartered in Sands Point, NY. Helen Keller Services for the Blind's New York City operations are currently headquartered at 57 Willoughby St. in Brooklyn and its Nassau County operations are housed at One Helen Keller Way in Hempstead, NY.

The 180 Livingston St. building totals approximately 258,000 square feet and includes 197,000 square feet of office space and 61,000 square feet of retail space. With the Helen Keller Services for the Blind lease, the property is now fully leased. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the anchor office tenant at the property, occupying approximately 140,000 square feet of office space.

“180 Livingston Street is the ideal building for Helen Keller Services due to its central location in Downtown Brooklyn, and proximity to surrounding areas including Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and elsewhere in Brooklyn and Manhattan,” says Joseph Sitt, CEO of Thor Equities.

Whitten Morris and Joseph Sipala of Newmark Knight Frank represented Thor Equities and Keith Caggiano and Timothy Sheehan of CBRE represented the tenant in the transaction.

Earlier this month, Thor Equities announced it hired brokerage firm Avison Young to help oversee its New York City office portfolio. Thor Equities also owns additional properties in neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn including Williamsburg, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Red Hook and Coney Island. The firm operates a portfolio of approximately 160 properties worldwide and has an extensive presence in Manhattan as well.

Whitten Morris and Joseph Sipala of Newmark Knight Frank represented Thor Equities and Keith Caggiano and Timothy Sheehan of CBRE represented the tenant in the transaction.

Instant Insights /

Helen Keller Services Signs Deal at Thor Building in Brooklyn

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