The Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) is at full capacity with high-end design showroom space, according to Charles S. Cohen, president and owner of the design center in Dania Beach, Fla. "500,000 to 600,000 s.f. is the most a major city can sustain," he said.

Design Center of the Americas

Cohen Brothers Realty has expanded its efforts to lease more office space in some design centers including DCOTA, which is undergoing major renovations to allow for the nearly 35,000 s.f. of office space that has been leased there.

"There has always been a plan to have office space as part of the composition of the design centers,” said Cohen. “The Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles has a substantial amount of office space, the Decorative Center Houston has office space as well. At DCOTA, we've leased 100,000 s.f. of office space to date and deals are pending for 50,000 more. These are all great companies that have come in and there has been terrific reception from the tenants."

In the largest transaction, Magic Leap, a digital animation and cinematic reality experience creator, has leased 11,500 s.f. on DCOTA’s 4th fl of the “B” Building for the next eight years. Other new tenants include Orthosenor, Inc., ALS Management Solutions, LLC, Empire Estate Holdings LLC, Avis Budget Group and Hull & Company.

Newly renovated atrium in building A

"There has been a substantial renovation of DCOTA over the last 5 years,” said Cohen. “When I bought it, it looked like a grandmother's design center. It has been totally repositioned. Buildings A and B have been re-done, as well as the atriums, restrooms, lighting, electronics, landscaping etc. Building C which was built in 2001 will begin renovations in the summer of 2014."