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In an indication of just how rapidly the image of midtown west has changed, Ziff-Davis Publishing Co. is seriously considering a move to Worldwide Plaza.
Long-scorned for being one block too far to the west, Worldwide Plaza, at 825 Eighth Ave., proved a quagmire for developer William Zeckendorf Jr., who lost control of the property to the Blackstone Group last year.
But now, experts say, Eighth Avenue is riding on the coattails of nearby Times Square's revitalization. With the real estate market percolating and large office spaces scarce in midtown, companies that need more than a few hundred thousand square feet and who won't ante up for premium buildings or new developments have little choice but to consider formerly borderline areas.
For the large computer publishing company--which has been on a rapid expansion spree since its acquisition by Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son's Softbank Corp.--that is certainly the case. No agreement has been reached, and Ziff-Davis' director of corporate real estate, Marylou Berk, insists the search is preliminary. But Ziff-Davis, which is now located at 1 Park Ave., needs at least 400,000 square feet of space, and Worldwide Plaza is said to be its first choice.
If it were to move west, into space being vacated by advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather, the deal would complete the lease...