Last week brought the American International Toy Fair to town, along with some speculation that the large trade show might be leaving New York, where it has been held for 102 years. (It’s one of the city’s Top 100 Events.) According to The New York Times, officials from the Toy Industry Association, which oversees the fair, said the association is considering moving the show to Orlando or Atlanta in 2007, partially because it wants more space for the show.
The event currently takes place at the Javits Center, which has a contract for next year's fair, and the International Toy Center at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue, where many toy companies rent showrooms. In January the center—including the 15-story building at 200 Fifth Avenue and an adjacent building at 1107 Broadway—were sold to the Chetrit Group, a developer. Chetrit had no comment for The Times about rumors that the building could be converted into condominiums. But the sale fueled even more speculation that the Toy Fair may be set to move, although no decision will be made until May.
The purchase of the center does not affect the Cipriani Group’s lease on the building’s large event space, once known as 200 Fifth. After extensive renovations, the space reopened as Cipriani 23rd Street at the end of last year.
Posted 03.02.05
The event currently takes place at the Javits Center, which has a contract for next year's fair, and the International Toy Center at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue, where many toy companies rent showrooms. In January the center—including the 15-story building at 200 Fifth Avenue and an adjacent building at 1107 Broadway—were sold to the Chetrit Group, a developer. Chetrit had no comment for The Times about rumors that the building could be converted into condominiums. But the sale fueled even more speculation that the Toy Fair may be set to move, although no decision will be made until May.
The purchase of the center does not affect the Cipriani Group’s lease on the building’s large event space, once known as 200 Fifth. After extensive renovations, the space reopened as Cipriani 23rd Street at the end of last year.
Posted 03.02.05
