The force behind Hudson Square. (Profile of the Week: Trinity Real Estate).

No other institution in New York City's history has played a more prominent role in the birth and advancement of a neighborhood than Trinity Real Estate. Throughout its celebrated past Trinity Real Estate, part of the 306-year-old Trinity Church, has been at the forefront of the dramatic transformation of the Hudson Square neighborhood, from a light industrial/manufacturing area to one of the city's most important commercial office and retail districts.

Hudson Square's transformation began in 1803 when Trinity started to develop for residential use land ceded to the parish by England's Queen Anne in 1705. Over the next 100 years, the area underwent a number of commercial incarnations, including serving as a center for the printing industry.

The newest incarnation of Hudson Square as a major business district began nearly 20 years ago when Trinity Real Estate recognized the potential of this area and started transforming most of its six million-SF light industrial portfolio to a modern office-building portfolio.

This transformation continues with Trinity's most recent capital improvement campaign, which began with its trophy property, 1 Hudson Square, a one-million-SF light manufacturing structure located on Canal Street. The property has undergone an unprecedented multi-million renovation and reconfiguration becoming a prime office address. Among the key elements in the building's transformation are a grand new entrance, a vast new lobby (three times the size of the original). and restoration of the facade to reflect its original Art Deco design.

Trinity is ready now to construct additional floors on top of the property. The new development will be a triplex penthouse - a single block of space combined with the existing top floor of the property. Ceiling heights on the new 18th and 19th floors will be 20 feet and 15 feet respectively. The new glass-enclosed penthouse will offer a single user 90,400 SF of prime office space with panoramic views of the entire city.

Since the reconfiguration completion, 1 Hudson Square has attracted the attention of large corporations and industry organizations alike. During 2002 the property was honored with the BOMA-NY, BOMA-Mid-Atlantic Regional and BOMA-International awards for "Renovated Building of the Year." First nominated by BOMA-NY 1 Hudson Square continued to outshine other renovated Class A office properties to claim all three titles--and become the first NY-based property to ever win the BOMA-International award in this category.

Trinity's success with 1 Hudson Square was just the beginning. While the capital improvements were taking shape at the property Trinity embarked on a bold, revitalization campaign encompassing an additional 1,475,000 SF at five other properties.

First on the long list of projects was 205 Hudson St., a 12-story light industrial property located at the southwest corner of the Canal Street and Hudson Street intersection. Well-known architect Richard Henry Behr was commissioned to design and oversee the completion of a new lobby and entrance area at the property The renovations included the restoration of approximately 2,500 SF of interior space into a new entrance with concierge desk and waiting area. The project was divided into two phases, the first of which (interior phase) was completed in March 2002. In addition to the lobby renovations, the building's hydraulic elevators, original to the property, were replaced by technologically advanced systems and spectacular new passenger cabs.

At the same time, Trinity hired the architecture firm Gentler & Wente to design and oversee the completion of a new lobby and entrance area at 10 Hudson Square. The property formerly known as 160/170 Varick St, was a 12-story, light industrial property located on Varick Street between Charlton and Vandam Streets. The renovation project included the design of a new lobby and entrance areas, new elevator mechanicals and cabs, windows, AC systems and restrooms.

Today, thanks in large part to the efforts of Trinity Real Estate, the Hudson Square area is one of New York City's most vibrant and important office neighborhoods boasting an eclectic mix of tenants, including some of the world's largest advertising/publishing, new media, high-tech and corporate users. Due to this growing office component the area's retail market has also begun to flourish. Such well-known restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops as Ear Inn, a charming tavern, SOB's, a supper club featuring Latin, jazz, funk and Caribbean sounds, Scott Jordan Furniture, a renowned furniture design boutique and the Castillo Theatre/Cultural Center, a prime center for a Black, Latino and gay theatre, are all calling Hudson Square home.

If Trinity Real Estate's success over the past 20+ years is any indication of things to come, Hudson Square is in line to becoming the most interesting and unique office/retail community in New York City. There is little doubt in the minds of the Hudson Square community that their neighborhood is poised for a very exciting future.