French say 'Oui' to midtown.

In a move that displays the strength and diversity of the Midtown market, French bank BNP Paribas renewed its 330,000 s/f lease at AXA-owned 787 Seventh Avenue.

Despite overtures from the Downtown market, BNP elected to remain in Midtown, at the 50-story building located at 52nd Street.

CB Richard Ellis' Robert Alexander, Howard Fiddle and Joan Meixner represented AXA in the lease renewal.

"It's a continuing show of strength in 787 Seventh Avenue," Mr. Alexander said. "We're extremely pleased to have a financial institution of this magnitude remain at this prestigious address.

"BNP's renewal adds 15 years and seven months to its current lease, which was set to expire in 2007," added Mr. Fiddle.

Built in 1984, 787 Seventh Avenue, which consists of 1,600,000 s/f, is also home to Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Willke Farr & Gallagher, and Le Bernardin, among others.

BNP Paribas Group, with net income of 1,348 million euros and 77,000 employees working in 83 countries around the world, is ranked among the foremost financial institutions in France and Europe. It derives its strength from two principal business lines, for which it has adopted two key objectives: to develop its activities for the greater benefit of its shareholders, customers and employees, and to build the bank of the future by becoming a benchmark player worldwide.