The friendly Asian invasion of Times Square could claim another trophy if the US subsidiary of Japan’s Round 1 amusements chain signs a lease at 1540 Broadway.
Round 1’s interest is only a rumor at this point. The tower’s retail landlord, Vornado Realty Trust, declined to comment. But it would be consistent with the increasing “Bowtie” presence of Japanese, Chinese, South Korean and Singaporean entertainment and novelty companies.
There are more than 100 Round 1 locations in Japan and about 60 in the US, including the only current Big Apple location at the Shops at Skyview in Flushing. The sprawling, 80,000 square-foot installation, which opened in August, boasts arcade games, bowling, billiards, ping-pong, event spaces and food counters.
The retail levels of 1540 Broadway, between West 45th-46th streets, have about 190,000 square feet. Vornado’s Web site shows about 122,000 square feet available.
Chinese-owned Pop Mart, maker of the Labubu dolls, recently signed a lease for over 7,000 square feet at 1540 Broadway’s south corner, as Realty Check first reported. Other store tenants are the Disney Store and the US Polo Association. The bankrupt Forever 21 chain recently left 91,000 square feet at the site.