Sara Lee Division Leaves Manhattan for 20,000 SF in Suburbs

Sara Lee Coffee & Tea, a division of Sara Lee Corp. of Chicago, will relocate its North American headquarters here next month from 370 Lexington Ave. in Manhattan. The company signed a 10-year lease for 19,594 sf on the top floor of 500 Mamaroneck Ave., reports Jeffrey H. Newman, executive vice president of W&M Properties. Sara Lee Corp. guarantees the lease. The move will affect approximately 75 people from New York City along with an unspecified number of New Jersey employees.

Mauro Calcano, vice president, human services, says that the property’s campus-like atmosphere is very attractive “The building’s location also was a consideration. It’s accessible from all points in the tri-state area.”

W&M Properties is engaged in a $12 million-capital improvement program at the five-story, 285,000-sf structure, which is 92% occupied. Improvements to the health and fitness center, multimedia conference facility, public corridors and landscaping have been completed. Enhancements now underway include renovations to the lobby, installation of a new closed circuit TV security system and electronic palm readers for after-hours access.

Jones Lang LaSalle of New York City represented Sara Lee Coffee & Tea. W&M Properties dealt for the owner, an affiliate of the Malkin family.