RUTHERFORD, N.J., MAR 05, 2009 – The North Shore-LIJ Health System has expanded and extended its lease agreement at 1979 Marcus Avenue in Lake Success, New York, adding 29,613 square feet of space to its existing 33,967-square-foot lease, bringing the total footprint to 63,580 square feet.  Lincoln Equities Group’s Daniel S. Ackerman, senior director of leasing, represented Willett Companies, the property’s owner, in this transaction.

“As a long-standing tenant in the building, North Shore-LIJ was happy with the current amenities that 1979 Marcus Avenue has to offer. Additionally, they were in need of more space to accommodate a new office and an educational training center,” said Mr. Ackerman.  “Ultimately, we were able to negotiate an attractive expansion and renewal package with North Shore-LIJ that reflects the positive history and relationship that the building’s owner, Willett Companies, maintains with their tenants, both new and existing.”

North Shore –LIJ will use the new space to expand its Center for Learning and Innovation.  The space will contain classrooms, a state-of-art clinical simulation center and a standardized patient facility where current and future clinicians will learn the latest clinical procedures as well as communication and teambuilding skill.

1979 Marcus Avenue is a 350,000-square-foot, three-story multi-tenanted Class-A office building centrally located in Western Nassau County.  Tenants of the building are provided premium amenities including a fitness center, full service cafeteria, dry cleaning, security, and ample parking in a three-level underground facility.  The interior and exterior has undergone capital improvements including cosmetic upgrades to the façade of the building, new state-of-the-art interior, exterior and garage lighting, new signage, cafeteria renovations, new interior furniture in the seating area and new landscaping all of which has already been completed. Additional capital improvements recently completed include a full renovation and upgrade of the parking deck and garage, and the installation of a monument sign by the main entrance as well as a new monument sign adjacent to the Union Turnpike entrance of the building.

“Western Nassau County continues to be a desirable location for companies with a Long Island client base, allowing the commercial real estate market to remain competitive in this region during this period of economic uncertainty,” said Joel Bergstein, president of Lincoln Equities Group. “Convenience will always be an important determining factor for a tenant, and 1979 Marcus Avenue’s prime location, coupled with its outstanding amenities, makes this property a desirable location for prospective tenants.”

The building is conveniently situated within close proximity to two of North Shore-LIJ’s flagship hospitals, LIJ Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY, and North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, as well as numerous restaurants and retail centers, 1979 Marcus Avenue has direct access to the Long Island Expressway and the Northern State Parkway.