Financial firms continue to make Newark count.

AMO Investments, a New York-based hedge fund, has signed a lease for 2,500 s/f of office space at 1 Washington Park, an office tower located in Newark's booming North Broad Street District.

The lease signing comes soon after Rutgers-Newark University entered into a letter of intent with 1 Washington Park to relocate its business school to the building, signaling another major development in the area around the Broad Street rail station, in what has become a new gateway to downtown Newark.

"This is a first rate building located in a booming district of Newark with easy access to many forms of transportation, via Broad Street Station and the new Light Rail," said James Amorosi, managing partner of AMO Investments.

"When looking for a New Jersey location to complement our downtown New York office, we chose Newark, and 1 Washington Park in particular, because the building renovations, strong public transportation network and affordable rates make this building second to none."

"AMO Investments' decision to lease space at 1 Washington Park signifies that Newark is, rightly so, a desired location for Wall Street financial firms, offering first-class space, amenities and convenience at lower rates than Hoboken or Jersey City," said Marc E. Berson, managing member of Washington Park Fidelco, LLC and Fidelco Group Chairman.

"1 Washington Park offers tenants and employees the best combination of building amenities, convenience, price and intangibles available anywhere in the region," said Norman B. Baker, principal of Newmark Knight Frank, the exclusive leasing agent for 1 Washington Park, who worked with Director Jon A. Karnick on the transaction.

"It's no wonder that leading businesses have already made long-term commitments to the building simply by understanding the dedication of building ownership to improving the North Broad Street area and creating a first-class business environment."