American Kennel Club Signs Lease with The Durst Organization for Pet Care Facility at VIA 57WEST

NEW YORK, March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Kennel Club (AKC^®), the world's largest dog registry and leading industry authority and advocacy for dogs, today announces that it has signed a lease with The Durst Organization for a pet care facility in their new VIA 57WEST building, a beautiful, residential structure designed by Bjarke Ingles in one of New York's most dynamic neighborhoods.  The AKC signed a multi-year lease at the building. The Durst Organization recently announced the esteemed restaurant operator Livanos Restaurant Group also signed a lease at the property.

This venture marks a new chapter for AKC as this is the first brick and mortar retail service the organization has opened in its 132-year history. The 4,000 square foot pet care facility, which will be an amenity to the building and open to the dog owning public in the neighborhood, offers a premium one stop pet care facility including daycare, boarding, training, grooming, and walking services.

"We are honored to work with such a prestigious real estate firm as The Durst Organization for this noteworthy venture into the pet care space," said Dennis Sprung, President and CEO of the AKC. "Strategic movements like this make it clear that the future of the AKC is bright."

"This is an exciting time for the AKC," said Ron Menaker, Chairman of the Board of the AKC. "As we embark on this endeavor, we embrace a new way to serve dogs and their owners and to increase the continued trust and validity of our organization's brand."

Alexandra Aleskovsky, EVP and Chief Growth Officer of the AKC adds, "The pet care segment is a very exciting growth segment and it's a great opportunity for AKC to leverage its credibility, expertise and history in dog care.  We are looking forward to expanding to additional centers around the country."

"We are thrilled to be working with AKC to bring a pet care facility to the WEST57 superblock," said Jonathan (Jody) Durst, President of The Durst Organization.  "We strive to provide our tenants with homes where they can live, work and thrive. Pet-friendly buildings are a significant amenity to our tenants.  To also offer a pet care facility affiliated with an esteemed organization like the AKC brings another layer of service and convenience to our tenants on the WEST57 campus." 

AKC was represented by Executive Vice President Glenn Isaacson of CBRE.  The Durst Organization was represented in-house by Vice President of Leasing Ashlea Aaron and Lee & Associates' Managing Principal Peter Braus and Managing Director Richard Kave.  Legal negotiations for the venture were handled by Jolie E. Meer, Of Counsel, at Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. on behalf of The Durst Organization and J. Goodwin Bland, Partner at Morgan Lewis and Bockius, LLP, on behalf of The AKC.

About the American Kennel Club
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization, which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.  Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 22,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite and the AKC Museum of the Dog.  For more information, visit www.akc.org.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.

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About the Durst Organization
The Durst Organization, founded in 1915 by Joseph Durst, is the owner, manager and builder of 13 million square feet of premiere Manhattan office towers and 1,950 residential rental units with 2,400 under construction. The Durst Organization is recognized as a world leader in the development of high-performance and environmentally advanced commercial and residential buildings.  www.durst.org

SOURCE American Kennel Club

Related Links

http://www.akc.org/