New York Real Estate Journal October 30, 2007 TPG ARCHITECTURE WORKED WITH ARAGON ON THE PROJECT Aragon Construction completes 38,000 s/f Robert Half expansion

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MANHATTAN, NY Aragon Construction, serving as construction manager, has completed Robert Half's expansion and renovation of their flagship offices at 245 Park Ave.

Robert Half, the world's largest specialized staffing firm, will now be utilizing the entire 25th floor,38,000 s/f, of the Brookfield Properties building, a 1.6 million s/f, 46-story office tower located in Midtown. Robert Half has been occupying four-fifths of the 25th floor since 1999.

It shares the class A building, which occupies one full sq. block near Grand Central Terminal, with other tenants such as IP. Morgan Chase, Xerox, Major League Baseball and Rabobank.

"The company is experiencing tremendous growth and success, and looking to add more employees now that the space is completed," said project superintendent Bruce Herrel. "They needed to expand into the unused space due to growth, but also saw this as an opportunity to update the entire infrastructure."

Working together with TPG Architecture, Aragon carried out the project in four phases. "We were able to do this without disrupting any of the employees' daily activities or meetings through constant communication with the project managers," said Herrel.

Renovations and additions include refurbished conference rooms, cubicles, pantries and general office space, as well as new interview rooms, elevator lobby and IT room. The completed space features vaulted ceilings, high-end millwork, window treatments, new carpeting, upgraded electrical and mechanical infrastructures and the installation of nine new supplemental air conditioning units.

"Robert Half's new space is terrific," said Steve Yavrouian, senior director, TPG Architecture. The elegant space employs marble walls in the elevator lobby, white lacquered walls and furniture in the reception area, and glass-fronted offices. The Robert Half logo and all their operating group logos are on display in the glass entranceway.

"Because we make a concentrated effort and deliver every time," said Aragon president and founder Alex Getelman, "Robert Half trusted us to build out their new space, complete the project on time, within budget, and not disrupt them during the renovation."

Noting that Aragon's work was the continuation of an existing project -- one which they did not implement, TPG senior partner Michel Fiechter said, "Because Aragon put forth a compelling bid, and placed an emphasis on personal attention to detail, they won the project, “he says. "Aragon has the ability to displace an incumbent construction firm."