Pernod Ricard Considers 80,000-SF-Plus Deal in Westchester

The wine and spirits distributor, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard SA of Paris, is also working with New York State's Empire State Development Corp. on the possible lease deal. Pernod Ricard USA relocated its corporate headquarters from New York City to White Plains in June 2001 when it took occupancy of temporary space at 105 Corporate Park Dr. The firm moved into its permanent headquarters space at 777 Westchester Ave. in early 2002.

According to papers filed with the Westchester County IDA, the company is considering the lease in Purchase due to its July acquisition of Allied Domecq plc. of Bristol, England. Allied Domecq North America has its headquarters in approximately 40,000 sf of space at 355 Riverside Ave. in Westport, CT, according to brokerage sources. Pernod Ricard's purchase of Allied Domecq was followed the same day by the sale of about 20 Allied Domecq brands to Illinois-based Fortune Brands. The transactions were said to be valued in excess of $13 billion.

Pernod Ricard is looking to consolidate its expanded executive and administrative workforce in the region. According to the plan mapped out before the IDA, the company, which has investigated alternative sites in Westchester and Connecticut, would lease one floor of 100 Manhattanville Rd. The facility would initially house 215 employees. The company stated that of those workers, 165 will be transferred from its 777 Westchester Ave. location, another 30 will be relocated from Allied Domecq's offices in Westport and another 20 will be new hires.

The company is also said to be considering its options at possible sites in Connecticut.

Pernod Ricard stated to the Westchester County IDA that the 777 Westchester Ave. offices would become an operations center for the company. In addition, approximately 75 employees of its Malibu Kahlua brand affiliate will either remain at or transfer to the White Plains offices.

Sources say a decision on the Purchase lease could come within the next month.