American Equity, Baird Sign Leases at 1155 Avenue of the Americas

The Durst Organization announced that American Equity Investment Life has signed a 10-year lease for 17,246 square feet on the 35th floor of its office building at 1155 Avenue of the Americas. The life insurance company, which specializes in the sale of fixed index and fixed rate annuities, is headquartered in West Des Moines, IA, and 1155 will be their first New York City office.

Financial services firm Robert W. Baird & Co. (Baird), which first signed for a full floor at the building in 2017, has also signed a 12-year deal for an additional 17,246 square feet on the 36th floor, more than doubling their square footage at 1155 Avenue of the Americas. More than 200,000 square feet of deals have been signed at 1155 in the last 12 months.

1155 has undergone a $130 million capital transformation into 21st Century Class “A” trophy property. 1155’s upgrades include a new lobby and plaza designed by STUDIOS Architecture, new elevator cabs with destination dispatch controls, new windows throughout and enhanced floor-to-ceiling glass that takes advantage of the building’s four chamfered corners offering unparalleled views. 1155 Avenue of the Americas was completed in 1984 and designed by Emery Roth & Sons. It was the first building in New York City with thermal ice storage and first to receive EBOM LEED rating.

“We are honored American Equity has chosen us and 1155 for their New York headquarters, and are thrilled Baird is more than doubling their footprint at the property,” said Jonathan (Jody) Durst, President of The Durst Organization. “When companies sign leases for their first offices in New York City or expand their offices, it reaffirms New York as the financial capital of the world and these deals are a testament to 1155’s desirability and the inherent strength of the office market.

American Equity was represented by tJLL’s executive managing director Donald Preate. Baird was represented by JLL’s associate vice president Henry Warner and managing director William Korchak. The Durst Organization was represented in-house on both deals by executive vice president Tom Bow, senior vice president Rocco Romeo and associate director Tanya Grimaldo and by managing director Lauren Ferrentino on Baird.

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company’s policyholders work with independent agents, banks and broker-dealers through a wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, to choose annuity products best suited for their personal needs to create financial dignity in retirement.