TMP Worldwide leases on Third.

In another major office tenant signing at 622 Third Avenue, TMP Worldwide, one of the world's largest recruitment advertising agency networks, has leased the building's top four floors, comprising 106,000 square feet of space, for its New York headquarters.

The 15-year lease was announced by Charles S. Cohen, president and CEO of Cohen Brothers Realty Corporation, who is transforming the former Blue Cross/Blue Shield headquarters building into Grand Central Plaza, a modern office center catering to cutting-edge technology and service firms.

TMP Worldwide, which was represented in the leasing transaction by Arthur Lerner and Michael Ippolito of Newmark & Company Real Estate, expects to relocate from 1633 Broadway to its new facilities during the second quarter. David Nevins of Cohen Brothers represented the landlord in the transaction.

Founded in 1967, TMP Worldwide, now with more than 6,400 employees in 25 countries, is one of the world's largest search and selection agencies, as well as the world's largest yellow page advertising agency.

"This lease signing represents yet another major step in establishing our building as one of the elite new properties in the Grand Central district," asserted Cohen. Other companies that recently signed leases at Grand Central Plaza include media giant Shandwick/USA, Inc., the CPA firm of Marks Parneth & Shron LLP, and ICAST Corporation, a CMGI company.

Located between 40th and 41st streets, Grand Central Plaza is presently undergoing a dramatic upgrading, including major improvements to its outdoor plaza, lobby and public spaces. Helping to realize a new vision for the building is noted architectural firm Moed de Armas & Shannon, whose concept calls for a variety of striking interior and exterior changes. Thomas Balsley & Associates is serving as landscape architect for the outside public spaces.