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Successful Sale of 41 West 56th Street in Midtown West, Manhattan
Bob Knakal successfully arranged the sale of 41 West 56th Street, a boutique office and user building in Midtown West, Manhattan. The property was acquired for $1,700,000 by Global Pursuits Inc., a company affiliated with Woody Allen’s film production operations.
Positioned just off Fifth Avenue, the 8,671 square foot building offered an ideal footprint for a creative user seeking ownership in one of Midtown’s most prestigious and central commercial corridors. Bob’s hands-on approach and consistent showings led to a successful match and outcome.
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Sale Details
This sale demonstrated strong user demand for smaller office buildings in Midtown West, especially among niche owner-occupiers such as production companies, media firms, and professional services.
Sale Price: $1,700,000
Price per Square Foot: $196.06
Buyer: Global Pursuits Inc. (Woody Allen Film Production)
Seller: Hajime Yamamoto (Japanese Food Company)
Asset Class: Office / User
Date Closed: April 27, 1994
Key Highlights:
- 8,671 SF office/user building
- Ideal for a single-tenant user or creative owner-occupant
- Located steps from Fifth Avenue and Central Park
- Strong surrounding tenant base and institutional retail anchors
Property Details
41 West 56th Street is nestled between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, in the heart of Midtown West. With a size just under 9,000 square feet, the building provided the perfect scale for a full-building user who could customize the interior to their operational needs. It also offered a rare ownership opportunity just a block from some of Manhattan’s most iconic institutions.
Full Address: 41 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019
Block: 1272
Lot: 13
Building Size: 8,671 SF
Zoning: Commercial use permitted (office, user, creative production)
Investment Highlights:
- Boutique office opportunity in Midtown West
- Ideal for owner-users seeking prime Manhattan real estate
- Proximity to Fifth Avenue, The Plaza, and Central Park
- Surrounded by luxury retail, fine dining, and cultural landmarks
Market Strategy and Positioning
Bob Knakal approached the marketing of 41 West 56th Street with a focus on creative and professional users. Recognizing the demand for full-building ownership by firms in production, publishing, and boutique finance, Bob personally conducted daily showings and remained deeply involved in the marketing process.
By focusing on quality over quantity in outreach and leveraging the building’s prime location, Bob secured a user-buyer that fit the space perfectly—resulting in a smooth and high-value transaction.
Neighborhood Overview
Midtown West is one of Manhattan’s premier commercial corridors, offering world-renowned shopping, cultural destinations, and hospitality. The area is highly walkable and served by nearly every subway line, making it a hub for both office users and international visitors.
Notable Neighborhood Features:
- Steps from Central Park and The Museum of Modern Art
- Surrounded by luxury hotels including The Peninsula and The Plaza
- Easy access to public transportation and nearby Midtown East
- Desirable for creative, media, and boutique financial users
Conclusion
The $1.7 million sale of 41 West 56th Street exemplifies the value of pairing property type with user intent. Bob Knakal’s hands-on strategy and direct buyer targeting yielded a strong match for the seller and an excellent outcome. For unique properties with user appeal, precision marketing remains key—and this transaction is a testament to that approach.
Testimonial
"Bob Knakal is the best building sales broker I have ever worked with – hands down. He was here showing our building almost every day. He found a great user for us. If you are going to sell a building in New York City – Bob is your man!"
– Dragan Topolovich
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What type of buyer acquired 41 West 56th Street?
A1: The building was purchased by Global Pursuits Inc., a film production company associated with Woody Allen, making it an ideal user-owner situation.
Q2: How large is the building?
A2: The property contains approximately 8,671 square feet of office space.
Q3: What makes this Midtown West location appealing to buyers?
A3: Its central location near Fifth Avenue, Central Park, luxury hotels, and cultural institutions makes it highly attractive for owner-users and creative firms.
