Real Estate Weekly: Virtual offices now reality LOokSmart.

Virtual offices now reality

Estab1ishing a virtual office, the 21St century phenomenon allowing tenants to enjoy a legitimate corporate address without actually occupying physical space, is an increasingly popular trend among companies which are not yet ready, nor prepared, to commit to long-term leases, subleases or even temporary space.

Eemerge, the SL Green subsidiary, which currently offers virtual office services and flex (temporary) office space at both 440 Ninth Avenue and 28. W. 44th Street, is expanding the virtual office concept to six additional SL Green portfolio properties in Midtown and Midtown South, namely: The
Graybar Building, 420 Lexington; 100 Park Avenue; 220 East 42nd Street, aka the News Building; 625 Madison Avenue; 21 Penn Plaza and 100 Park Avenue.

Services available to tenants who opt for a virtual office, range from the simplest amenity--securing a 212 telephone number--to a more elaborate menu, which includes a mail/ messenger drop address, access to individual office space on a pay-per-day basis, personalized call answering, and conference room usage. Prices range from $100 per month to $375, depending on the level of services used.

'Virtual office space is a great option, for companies looking to enter the New York market from anywhere in the country or abroad," said Melissa Libner senior managing director of eemerge. "It's a way to establish your business identity in Manhattan, as a precursor to committing to temporary or permanent space, and it provides a way to do business in the City without the economic burden of a physical presence."

According to Tom Hogan, Account Executive with Bright Star Couriers who operates the message centers for SL Green's eight-property portfolio of virtual offices, "the opportunity for our clients to virtually exist at an estab1ished New York City Midtown address means effectively that they are 'in business.'"

C0PYRIGHT 2005 Hagedorn Publication C0PYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group