June 13, 2019
Noted British Glovemaker Fownes Brothers is Moving into NoMad
In 1777, when Fownes Brothers & Co., Inc first began making its handcrafted leather gloves in Worcester, England, the United States was barely a year old and locked in a battle with the British homeland for independence. 110 years later, in 1877 Fownes Brothers opened its sales office here in New York City, where it has been ever since, becoming the global headquarters for sales, merchandising and design.
The Commercial Observer has reported that the world-renowned glove company is now moving its headquarters from 16 East 34th Street into the NoMad neighborhood. The company recently inked a long-term lease for the entire eighth floor of 1201 Broadway—nearly 14,000 square feet of space.
Williams Equities, landlord of 1201 Broadway, recently completed a major capital improvement project at the building, to reposition it as a modern office space to attract “upper-echelon tenants. The strategy seems to be working. According to Williams Equities, the Fownes lease marks the first time since the 1950s that a company has occupied an entire floor in the building, and they have just signed an 11,000 square foot ground-floor retail deal with the parent company of The Smith for a new restaurant concept.
Fownes Brothers and Co., Inc. has maintained its status as a leader in leather gloves for nearly 250 years by continuing to evolve its design and manufacturing methods to match the times. Today, the company utilizes state-of-the-art technology to craft the highest quality gloves available, both for high fashion and active outdoor uses.
In addition to their own proprietary labels like U|R and Touchpoint, Fownes Brothers gloves are marketed through a wide range of private label partners which include Macy’s, Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret, Bloomingdales, American Eagle, Kohls, and a host of others.
Fownes Brothers plans to move into NoMad from its current location, 16 East 34th Street, later this year. We are pleased to welcome this company to the neighborhood.
Fownes, represents the successful marriage of design and technology, so NoMad should fit the company like a glove. Welcome to the neighborhood.