Advanced Emergency Technology Startup, RapidSOS, Leases 8,257-SF at 234 West 39th Street;
Boutique Office Property Gets New Entrance/Lobby and Elevators as Part of Major Capital Improvements
After the successful kick-off of a leasing and repositioning campaign at 234 West 39th Street, Waterman Interests and Savitt Partners today announced a new lease at the boutique Midtown West office property. The Savitt Partners leasing team of Brian Neugeboren, Nicole Goetz, Elliot Zelinger and Bob Savitt arranged a long term lease with RapidSOS, an emergency technology company that is transforming access to emergency services by providing 9-1-1 personnel with critical information – accelerating response, and saving time and lives.
According to Mr. Savitt, “This new lease commitment by such an exciting technology firm speaks to the allure of 234 West 39th Street, located in an area that is rapidly evolving into a hub for technology and creative services companies. Since the repositioning program, lobby renovation, and other capital improvements at the building were launched earlier this year,tenants have jumped at the chance to be located in this office building.”
RapidSOS, an emergency technology start-up revolutionizing personal safety and family connectivity, inked an 8,257-square-foot office lease at 234 West 39th Street. The tech company is commercializing technology to predict and preempt emergencies, warn users in harm’s way, and link any connected device with local first responders.
RapidSOS will relocate its headquarters to the entire ninth floor of 234 West 39th Street from space it currently subleases on Seventh Avenue. Christine Colley and Conor Kenny of Cushman & Wakefield represented RapidSOS in the lease negotiations.
“The tremendous interest in our advanced emergency communications platform has fueled our growth and we were in need of larger space that our current team would love, and would also help us attract new talent,” said Michael Martin, CEO of RapidSOS, “We are thrilled to have found a new home for our team.”
234 West 39th Street is a 10-story, 94,000-square-foot building located between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. The building islocated at the epicenter of the Port Authority, Times Square, and Grand Central transportation hubs. The property boasts efficient floor plates with abundant natural light. 234 West 39th Street is in close proximity toHudson Yards,new retail and entertainment amenities, and offers tenants unique office space with beautiful, original structural columns and abundant windows that flood each floor with natural light. Since acquiring the property in 2015,the ownership has committed to a major repositioning and capital improvement plan that will position the boutique propertyto meet the demand for quality office space by technology, fashion, and creative services companies.Among the upgrades at the property are a newly designed lobby, which is nearing completion, new elevators, and new interior tenant standards and finishes.
Haven, the first product by RapidSOS, is a smartphone app enabling individuals and families to send important data to 9-1-1 during an emergency to get help quickly. With one tap on Haven, the app connects the user with the nearest dispatch center anywhere in the contiguous U.S., while providing a voice connection and a data pipeline to 9-1-1, to transmit text messages (Haven speaks the text message if the dispatch center does not have the capability to receive texts); GPS location; type of emergency; and relevant medical and demographic data.
The Haven app also includes access to RapidSOS’ Family Connect feature. For the first time, people can call 9-1-1 on behalf of a loved one, transmitting their loved one’s location and relevant data directly to the dispatch center nearest them. Additionally, Family Connect allows users to share their location with loved ones, see family members’ real-time locations without the distraction of a phone call or text, and easily and discreetly ask family and friends for help. Each user can choose who can see their location and when it is shared, ensuring privacy and control.
About RapidSOS
RapidSOS was formed in 2012 by a team of M.I.T., Harvard, and Stanford grad students who had personal experiences with the challenges of the existing emergency communication infrastructure. Working closely with the 9-1-1 community, tech and telecom companies, and leading investors, RapidSOS is developing technology to predict and preempt emergencies before they occur, dynamically warn people in harm’s way, and ensure that first responders are one touch away globally. Learn more at www.RapidSOS.com
About Savitt Partners
Savitt Partners is a full-service commercial real estate company headquartered in New York City. Founded by Bob Savitt, the firm owns and/or operates a portfolio totaling nearly three million square feet of office and showroom buildings in Manhattan, including 530 Seventh Avenue, 499 Seventh Avenue, 11 West 19th Street, 218 West 40th Street, 693 Fifth Avenue, 1385 Broadway, 142 West 36th Street, 234 West 39th Street, and 525 Seventh Avenue. In addition to overseeing the leasing and management of its own assets, the firm provides superior leasing, asset and property management and investment services to other quality owners and tenants.
About Waterman Interests, LLC
Waterman Interests, LLC is a privately-held and self-managed real estate investment and operating company specializing in the acquisition, leasing, financing, management and development of office, retail, and mixed-use properties. The Company’s investment strategy is focused on the New York City market, but also includes other cities that its principals have extensive experience operating in. Its current portfolio includes 400 Park Avenue, 125 West 55th Street, 142 West 36th Street and 234 West 39th Street.
