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DISTRICT SURVEY In 2007, Identity Map completed the FCBID’s twelfth annual survey of Fashion District tenants. This year saw an extraordinary 70% survey response rate.
According to the survey, the district’s overall decrease in commercial space, due to ongoing construction, has had an effect on tenancy. There are a dozen hotels being built in the district and one new residential building. Most of the hotels are on the western edge of the district where the area was rezoned for the development of the Hudson Yards.
The number of tenants in the district was reported to be 6,397, which is a decrease of 75 tenants from last year. The number of fashion-related tenants in the district decreased by 246, while the number of non-fashion companies increased by 171. Though the district experienced a net decrease in tenants, it gained a net increase of 986 employees.
US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE SEMINARS The FCBID continued its collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce in presenting a series of seminars to address recent changes in trade regulations. Seminars were offered to district fashion businesses which source and/or sell overseas.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE The FCBID Tools of the Trade small business seminars were offered again this fall and spring in conjunction with the Enterprise Center at FIT.
RETAIL PROMOTION The Fashion District has some of New York’s highest pedestrian activity, offering great retail opportunities. To help promote the retail sector, thousands of Fashion District maps, which include a retail directory, are direct-mailed and distributed to owners, tenants and brokers, and are given to visitors at the Information Kiosk. This past year saw 56 new ground floor retailers in the district.
REAL ESTATE PROMOTION To promote the district as a great place to locate a business and to highlight the area’s improvements, the FCBID markets the district to the real estate community through direct-mail campaigns and a specialized section of the website, www.fashioncenter.com/realestate.
DESIGNER FORUMS The FCBID held two designer forum seminars this year. The designer forums draw young designers to evening discussions about how to start a business in the fashion industry.
TEMPORARY SHOWROOM SPACE The FCBID’s new office space has allowed the organization to create another program to assist young designers. The cost and availability of temporary showroom space is often prohibitive for those trying to become established in this field. Accordingly, the FCBID makes its 900 square foot conference room available as temporary showroom space, free of charge.
STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE Last year the FCBID published The Fashion District Source Book, a comprehensive guide for the home sewer, crafter, fashion student, decorator, stylist or designer. Organized into twelve sections, covering fabrics, leather, fur, home décor, lace, bridal, trim, patterns, beading, buttons and notions, the source book is a great tool for uncovering the Fashion District’s unique deals and products. The Fashion District Source Book is available at the Fashion Center Information Kiosk on Seventh Avenue at 39th Street and at www.fashioncenter.com.
VITAL SIGNS The FCBID annually tracks the statistics that define the district’s economic impact. These numbers are regularly made available to City officials, real estate brokers, prospective tenants and the media.
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