270,000 s/f Court Square office tower opens in LIC.

Owner/Developer, the United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU), New York City's largest credit union, announced the opening of its new headquarters in Court Square Place, Long Island City, Queens.

Approximately 245 UNFCU employees relocated from properties in Midtown Manhattan to the recently completed floor-to-ceiling glass wall, Class-A facility.

JRT Realty Group, Inc., along with its strategic alliance partner Cushman & Wakefield, serves as exclusive leasing and management agent of the new office tower. The architect was HLW International, LLP and the construction manager, Tishman Construction Corporation.

Located at 24-01 44th Road, one block from the Citicorp Tower, Court Square Place includes 17 floors and 270,000 square feet of prime executive office space and is the tallest office building in 16 years to rise in Long Island City. UNFCU occupies the first seven floors of the building, which houses 22 departments and an international Call Centre. The grand opening/ribboncutting celebration was attended by federal, state and local officials, as well as UNFCU Management and the Board of Directors. At the event, UNFCU also presented a contribution of $15,000 to Long Island City-based The Floating Hospital to mark the credit union's arrival and commitment to Long Island City.

"Court Square Place enabled UNFCU to bring staff from several locations together in a comfortable and safe environment, increase efficiencies and provide for future growth," said John Lewis, vice president and General Counsel of UNFCU.

"The expansion of available office space, together with the area's new residential buildings, creates a great critical mass for the Court Square sub district, and in developing a firm and efficient base of operations, we are enhancing worldwide service for our members and, at the same time, want to become involved in our local community, in which we firmly believe.

According to Lewis, the 60-year old cooperative, financial institution had also looked at Brooklyn, downtown Manhattan and Jersey City before deciding to locate in Queens.

"Devel-oping central business districts in other boroughs has been one of the priorities of our comprehensive redevelopment plans for the City because it will provide companies with an affordable alternative to Manhattan, allowing them to grow and create new jobs," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding, Daniel Doctoroff. "Through our Economic Development Corporation, we will continue to identify companies like UNFCU and work to help them meet their needs."

UNFCU originally acquired the property in 2004 in a transaction negotiated by JRT Realty Group. The total available space is approximately 125,200 s/f. The building also includes the opportunity for sole floor occupancy.