Reading International Inc. recently announced the signing of a major retail tenant at its Tammany Hall redevelopment in Manhattan, N.Y. The announcement stated that the contract was a multi-year lease that encompasses three levels — ground, second and cellar — at what is now marketed as 44 Union Square.

According to reporting by The Real Deal, the new tenant on the roster is pet store chain Petco, which will be relocating from nearby 860 Broadway. Petco’s new lease incorporates 30,000 square feet of premium Manhattan retail space for rent, located adjacent to the exclusive neighborhood of Grammercy Park.

The striking property at the intersection of 17th Street and Union Square East was originally completed in 1929. Throughout its life so far, the building has been home to the Manufacturers Trust Company, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and an Off-Broadway theater. But, it is perhaps most famously known as the oldest surviving headquarters building of the Tammany Society political organization.

In 2020, the property’s latest transformation was revealed. Converted to office space and rebranded as 44 Union Square, the 73,000-square-foot building has earned several outstanding awards — such as the 2021 Design Award of Honor in the Renovation, Restoration and Adaptive Reuse category by the Society of American Registered Architects.

“Signing this long-term lease with a strong credit retailer is an important milestone for our 44 Union Square development and is a testament to the resiliency of New York City and the desirability of Union Square as a key and vibrant location for tenants,” said Reading Executive Vice President of Real Estate Management and Development, Margaret Cotter, in a prepared statement. “We are delighted to make this announcement and we look forward to completing the leasing of the remaining upper four levels of the building in New York City, which continues to be one of the world’s most dynamic cities for commercial real estate.”