National Women’s Soccer League moving headquarters to 551 Fifth Ave.

New York Post - May 4th, 2025

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is set to move its headquarters to the landmark Fred D. French Building at 551 Fifth Ave. in Midtown Manhattan, marking a significant expansion and relocation from its previous location at 292 Madison Ave. The new office will occupy 21,000 square feet, doubling the space available at the former address. The move, represented by CBRE’s Conor Denihan and Patrick Moroney, comes amid the league's rapid growth, highlighted by Lauren Lopez, Chief People & Culture Officer of the NWSL. The Feil Organization, which owns the building, was represented by Andrew Wiener, Kevin Driscoll, and Henry Korzec, with Wiener celebrating this move as a new chapter in the building’s storied history. The asking rent for the new space was $58 per square foot, and the building is nearly 90% leased.

The relocation to an iconic Art Deco-style tower underscores the league's upward trajectory and its commitment to establishing a prominent presence in New York City, having moved there from Chicago in 2022. This development not only signifies the NWSL's growth but also contributes to the ongoing revitalization of Midtown Manhattan’s commercial real estate landscape. Concurrently, the Feil Organization is also transforming another of its properties, 140 W. 57th St., into a luxury condominium in partnership with BLDG Management Co. and the Nakash family. This project is slated to start construction in spring and aims for completion by the end of 2026, further exemplifying the dynamic evolution of the area.

New York City Real Estate Midtown Manhattan Nwsl National Women's Soccer League Fred D. French Building Feil Organization Lauren Lopez

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The news story provides a clear and factual account of the NWSL's relocation to a new headquarters and the Feil Organization's real estate activities. It successfully conveys essential details about the move and the building's characteristics, offering insight into the league's growth. However, the article could benefit from greater balance by including diverse perspectives and external sources to support its claims. While the story is timely and relevant to specific audiences, its impact on broader public discourse is limited. Enhancing the depth of analysis and exploring the wider implications of the NWSL's growth could increase its engagement and public interest. Overall, the article serves as a straightforward report on a current event, with room for improvement in sourcing and contextual depth.

Accuracy

The news story is largely accurate but contains some discrepancies that need addressing. The claim that the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is moving to the Fred D. French Building is consistent with the information provided. The building's description as an Art Deco-style landmark matches the known characteristics of the location. However, there is a discrepancy regarding the number of teams in the NWSL. The article states there are 16 teams, while other sources indicate there are 14 teams in the 2025 season. This inconsistency needs verification. Additionally, the mention of the NWSL's previous move from Chicago to New York in 2022 requires confirmation to ensure historical accuracy.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the logistical aspects of the NWSL's move and the Feil Organization's activities, providing limited perspectives. While it includes quotes from Andrew Wiener and Lauren Lopez, it lacks diverse viewpoints, such as those from the NWSL players, fans, or independent analysts who could provide a broader context on the league's growth and its significance. The piece could benefit from a more varied representation of voices to enhance balance and provide a fuller picture of the move's implications.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a straightforward structure that presents the key facts in a logical order. The language is accessible, and the tone remains neutral throughout. The details about the NWSL's move and the Feil Organization's activities are presented in a way that is easy to follow. However, the inclusion of more context or background information about the significance of the NWSL's growth could enhance the reader's understanding.

Source quality

The article references individuals such as Andrew Wiener and Lauren Lopez, who are directly involved in the NWSL's relocation and the building's leasing process. However, it does not cite external sources or provide links to supporting documents, which would enhance the credibility of the reported facts. The reliance on in-house representatives could introduce bias, as their perspectives may align with organizational interests. Including independent sources or data would improve the article's reliability.

Transparency

The article provides some transparency by naming the individuals involved in the leasing and relocation process. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology behind its claims, such as how the lease terms were negotiated or the criteria used to select the new location. Additionally, there is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, such as any financial ties between the NWSL and the Feil Organization, which could impact the story's impartiality.