Via partners with The Georgetown Company to provide 787 11th Avenue tenants with free, on-demand transportation
Innovative Shuttle Solution Provides Easy Access to Rejuvenated Dewitt-Clinton Neighborhood
June 20, 2019 (NEW YORK) – Via, the leading provider and developer of on-demand public mobility, and The Georgetown Company, a leading developer and owner of commercial, retail and mixed-use properties nationwide, have announced a partnership to provide tenants of 787 11th Avenue with a dynamic first-and-last mile transit solution. The partnership with Georgetown is Via’s first commercial deal of its kind in New York City, and aims to fill the gaps in the city’s existing public transit infrastructure on the west side, connecting tenants to key transportation hubs.
New York City
is experiencing rapid commercial and residential development on the west side
and as the neighborhood’s rejuvenation continues, access to the area through
mass transit has yet to catch up.
By partnering with Via, Georgetown has embraced modern transportation infrastructure to offer tenants an innovative, affordable and efficient commute through shared rides between key public transportation points and 787 11th Avenue. Since it was deployed, the shuttle program has shown to reduce commute times while offering tenants a seamless, on-demand travel experience.
“We are delighted to partner with The Georgetown Company to provide a smart, shared mobility solution that connects the west side to the city’s existing public transit network,” said Alex Lavoie, US General Manager for Via. “By offering tenants a first-and-last mile connection, we’re able to create efficient and convenient access to 787 11th Avenue.”
“Many of our employees, especially those who
travel to work from Long Island, Connecticut, Westchester, and New Jersey, were
initially concerned that moving further west would complicate their commutes,”
said Bethany Norvell, Vice President of Human Resources at Pershing Square
Capital Management, L.P. “But the Via program reduces commute times and
makes getting to 787 11th easy, efficient and comfortable – it
really is an excellent building amenity that 787 11th offers.”
"As soon as we started looking at 787,
we fell in love with the space, the views and the neighborhood," said
Kimberly Gift, COO of Dwight Development Group and co-COO of Dwight Capital.
"Some team members were hesitant about moving to the far west side but
with the Via program being implemented by Georgetown, commute times have been
reduced. It's great to be part of a building where our landlord is embracing
the future of transportation and making seamless convenience for employees a
priority."
This partnership is a
key component of Georgetown’s transformation of 787 11th Avenue into
a best-in-class office space for some of the world’s most innovative tenants. A
recent redesign of the building, which was led by renowned architect Rafael
Viñoly, included the addition of 24-foot high ceilings in places,
floor-to-ceiling windows to allow abundant natural light, exposed brick and
large columns that pay tribute to the building’s original architecture.
Georgetown also recently completed the construction of a two-story penthouse
and is finishing the 12,000-square-foot rooftop deck with a private, landscaped
terrace.
The class A office
building is located in the increasingly-popular Dewitt Clinton neighborhood,
which has developed a reputation as a rapidly-transforming and vibrant area
that is home to businesses, activities, parks and residences. 787 11th
Avenue’s Far West Side location provides easy access to the Hudson River Park
trail, exciting restaurants, entertainment and retail options and much more,
offering an ideal destination for tenants.
“Our goal is to provide our tenants with the best experience possible and initial feedback from employees who’ve used the Via shuttle service has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Jonathan Schmerin, Managing Principal at The Georgetown Company. “By using the tools available, we’ve been able to cut down commute times to the neighborhood from all over the city and prove that New York City is far more accessible than it’s ever been.
To take advantage of the partnership, employees at 787 11th Avenue simply enter a code into the Via app and unlock access to the Georgetown-sponsored shuttle service. Free rides provided by Via’s network of premium vehicles and professional drivers can be booked to or from a variety of transit hubs in Manhattan, including Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal and Columbus Circle, among others.
Investors in 787 11th
Avenue include Arnold Schwarzenegger, LeBron James and Jimmy Iovine. Following
a recently-signed lease for nearly 100,000 square feet on the 6th and 7th
floors by co-working company Spaces, the building is now approximately 90%
leased. Spaces joined existing tenant Dwight Capital and Pershing Square
Capital. The building’s lower floors are occupied by Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan/Infiniti
dealerships.
ABOUT THE GEORGETOWN COMPANY
The Georgetown Company develops and invests in residential, commercial
and mixed-use properties throughout the United States, with a focus on emerging
neighborhoods in best-of-class locations. Led by President and CEO Adam Flatto
and founded in 1978, Georgetown is a privately-held diversified real estate
development company that is recognized for attracting long-term partners and
creating popular destinations after carefully selecting properties and
diligently nurturing them through all stages of development and ongoing
operations. Georgetown is headquartered in New York City and currently owns and
is developing properties in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Columbus, OH,
Boston, and Washington DC.
ABOUT VIA
Via is re-engineering public transit, from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network. Via’s mobile app connects multiple passengers who are headed the same way, allowing riders to seamlessly share a premium vehicle. First launched in New York City in September 2013, the Via platform currently operates in the United States, and in Europe through its joint venture with Mercedes-Benz Vans, ViaVan. Via’s technology is also deployed worldwide through partner projects with public transportation agencies, private transit operators, taxi fleets, private companies, and universities, seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure to provide the most cutting edge on-demand mobility innovations.