Amazon Leases Entire Office Building Across From Empire State Building

Amazon may be looking to set up more than just a storefront in midtown Manhattan. The Seattle-based online retailer has signed a lease for 470,000 square feet of office and retail space just steps away from the Empire State Building.

The move comes a month after the online mega retailer was reportedly looking at Manhattan real estate to expand its same-day delivery service, as well as establish a brick-and-mortar presence. Amazon has agreed to a 17-year lease for the space at 7 West 34^th Street, near Fifth Avenue, said the realty firm Vornado Realty Trust in a press release. But it looks like Amazon may have more than just a storefront. The company has effectively leased the entire 12-story building, which was built in 1901 and renovated last year, according to the Vornado website.

Rumors indicate that the building may be used to facilitate same-day deliveries in New York and online-order pickups. But Amazon said it will primarily be used for office space, according to the Wall Street Journal. Amazon has not confirmed plans to eventually set up a retail space to showcase its own product offerings, including the Kindle e-book reader, Fire tablet, Fire TV media center and Fire phone.

New York has been eyed by a number of tech companies in recent months as a prime destination to set up shop. Microsoft staked its claim on a Fifth Avenue retail space in September, just blocks from Apple’s iconic glass cube store.

Google also owns an entire building at 111 Eighth Avenue, which it purchased for $1.9 billion in 2010, according to the New York Post.