TV network moves to 'Hollywood on the Hudson'.

Lifetime Television Network, the top-rated women's television network, is moving its technical operations center to 111 Eighth Avenue in the heart of Manhattan's Chelsea/Meatpacking district. The network has signed a 50,000 s/f long-term lease to occupy a portion of the building's second floor.

The technical operations center, including Lifetime's broadcast operations, post-production, and corporate data center, will be relocating to the 16-story, 2.9 million-square-foot building, which occupies the entire block between 15th and 16th Streets, in late 2005. Moreover, Lifetime's occupancy will feature a leading edge technical facility fully enabled by digital asset management technology.

"Digital asset management technology allows you to manage and track video and other media assets as files," says Gwynne McConkey, Lifetime TV's senior vice president, operations, information systems and technology. "Lifetime TV is moving from a tape-based technology to this all-digital world.

The workflow at our new Manhattan offices will operate entirely on this new platform, which is somewhat revolutionary for a creative TV network.

"Digital management systems have been used in some TV news and sports organizations, or in post-production 'islands,' but this marks the first time a creative drama-driven TV network will be implementing digital asset management across the entire production-to-air workflow."

According to Paul Pariser, principal and cofounder of Taconic, "New York's Chelsea/ Meatpacking District is fast becoming 'Hollywood on the Hudson,' with such other broadcasters in the area as the Food Network, Oxygen and New York 1."

111 Eighth, highly sought-after for its unique power, connectivity and emergency generator capabilities, continues to attract media companies and other important corporate users for the same reasons.

"Lifetime explored the market for a premise that could provide 24/7 power and emergency back-up at affordable rents," said Scott L. Gottlieb of CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), which represented Lifetime..

"111 Eighth--offering large modernized floor plates with 15' ceilings, dramatic views of the Hudson River to the south and midtown to the north, the ability to accommodate large floor loads, and sophisticated security systems--fit every 'must have' on our client's wish list."

CBRE's Brian Gell, a broker representing the landlord, adds, "Lifetime is 111 Eighth's first television network tenant, an excellent complement to the building's diverse mix of existing market leaders in such industries as fashion, advertising, publishing, telecommunications and banking."

Deutsch Advertising, Nike USA, Inc., Armani AX, DoubleClick, Kmart, Level 3 Communications, Sprint, Time Warner Telecom, WebMD, barnesandnoble.com and Yamaha are among Lifetime TV's new neighbors in the building.

Lifetime TV will move to space at 111 Eighth Avenue designed by Meridian Design Associates, Architects. In addition to being a power behemoth, the building offers top-level security systems/access control, and numerous other amenities.

CBRE acted for both tenant and landlord in the 15-year deal. In addition to Mr. Gottlieb, Michael R. Laginestra and Jonathan Fales represented Lifetime Television, while, in addition to Mr. Gell, Susan MacWilliams represented the landlord--a partnership of Taconic Investment Partners, Jamestown and The New York Common Retirement System.