Leading Arts-Based Nursery & Preschool Signs for Third Manhattan Location in Financial District as Part of Ongoing Expansion Plans

New York, NY - Smarter Toddler Nursery & Preschool® announced today their multi-year lease with Rockrose to secure its new Financial District location opening next month. The 14-year-old childcare and early childhood education provider occupies 8,200 square feet of ground retail space at Rockrose’s 99 John Deco Loft condominium at the corner of John and Cliff Street. The space represents Smarter Toddler’s third Manhattan location and demonstrates the school’s initiative to further expand its presence and enrollment capacity in the New York metropolitan area.

Vik Lulla, Managing Director at The Heller Organization and long-time Financial District resident, represented Smarter Toddler in the transaction and worked closely with the school to identify optimal locations for Smarter Toddler’s expansion. Formerly occupied by Duane Reade Pharmacy, the entire ground retail space has been demolished and transformed into state-of-the-art facilities and classrooms.

“We identified 99 John Street as a potential site for Smarter Toddler early on. The Financial District has seen exponential growth in recent years, and has quickly become Downtown’s epicenter for fashion, culture, and commerce,” said Mr. Lulla. “ The area has always been a vibrant hub for businesses, and in recent years has been blooming with young families attracted to its rich history and abundant amenities. Smarter Toddler is a natural fit for the neighborhood, and will help serve the community’s growing demand for childcare services.”

“An open, flowing floor plan is critical to the layout of our classrooms and hallways. We were looking for a large, bright, airy space—and we found it at 99 John Street,” said Smarter Toddler Co-Founder, Kettia Ming. “There are lofty ceilings throughout and extra large windows that fill the classrooms and interior with lots of natural light. Every inch of our facilities are meticulously designed and laid out, and we saw the opportunity to bring the Smarter Toddler’s signature brand to life at 99 John Street.”

Originally an office building constructed in 1932, Rockrose’s 99 John Deco Loft condominium rises 25 stories and consists of 439 residential units. The property is in close proximity to all major subway lines at Fulton Center and Wall Street as well as the ferry at South Street Seaport. Other retail tenants in the building include Jubilee Marketplace and Icon Parking Systems.

About Smarter Toddler Nursery and Preschool®

Smarter Toddler Nursery and Preschool® was founded by discerning New York City artists and parents dedicated to providing children with a stimulating environment to grow and develop through creative expression and inquiry-based education. For 14 years, Smarter Toddler Nursery and Preschool® has provided high-quality child care and early childhood education for children 3 months to 5 years with a Reggio Emilia inspired philosophy and a progressive arts-based curriculum that inspires discovery, imagination, creativity and problem solving. Through hands-on artistic exploration including visual art, music, theatre, movement, and dance, children are given the tools to express themselves, and a natural method of achieving language, literacy, social, emotional, physical and cognitive milestones. Brand new music-filled classrooms opening Spring 2016 are located in the Financial District at 99 John Street, New York, NY 10038 and in Williamsburg at 17 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249.

For Smarter Toddler Nursery and Preschool® media materials, including images and contacts, please visit our online at www.smartertoddler.net.