100,000 s/f in deals icing on wedding-cake style 717 Fifth.

In less than a year, Equity Office has transformed its boutique office building at 717 Fifth Avenue into one of the most sought-after business addresses in Midtown Manhattan.

In the last three months, Equity Office has executed 15 new, long-term deals, totaling nearly 100,000 s/f.

"At nearly 100% occupancy, 717 Fifth Avenue continues to enjoy incredible success and demand by companies seeking a location in the Plaza District," said Michael Berman, vice president of leasing for Equity Office's New York Region.

"With vacancy at its lowest rate in five years, supply is tightening, particularly 'view' space, and demand continues to be driven by hedge funds, law firms and financial services firms."

Among the largest transactions is a new, 16,002 s/f lease by Corsair Investments LLC. The private equity firm will house its offices on the 23rd and 24th floors of the Class A office tower. Louis D'Avanzo and Steven Bauer of Cushman & Wakefield represented Corsair in the negotiations.

Other noteworthy transactions include: Brigade Capital Management's 8,364 s/f lease arranged by Silvio Petriello of CB Richard Ellis; A new 8,001 s/f commitment negotiated by Mitchell Konsker of Cushman & Wakefield on behalf of Brooklyn NY Holdings LLC;

Essex Woodlands Health Ventures' 5,097 s/f deal arranged by Barry Zeller of Cushman & Wakefield; Capital Properties' 8,001 s/f relocation from 527 Madison Avenue arranged by Paul Revson of Staubach Company and; ARX Investment Management's 8,001 s/f lease negotiated by Erik Harris of Newmark Knight Frank, Inc.

"Earlier in this year, we embarked upon a pre-built suite program to attract smaller space users who demand top-quality, prestigious office space," said Robert Fink, leasing director for Equity Office's New York Region.

"The response to this program has been extremely positive as we were able to lease all the built out offices in record time."

The Equity Office leasing team, including Michael Berman, Joseph Artusa and Robert Fink, represented the landlord in each of the transactions.

Located steps from Central Park in the heart of the Plaza District, 717 Fifth Avenue features three structural wedding-cake setbacks on the 4th, 9th, 10th & 15th floors forming a wider-base with a slender high-rise tower. The lobby features an 18-foot high atrium with a satin stainless steel patterned ceiling, which runs from 56th Street to 55th Street.

The building has expansive, unobstructed and protected views of Central Park and New York's most heavily trafficked destination retail corridor.