When Eric Hadar and Allied Partners joined Brickman in acquiring The Brill Building for approximately $185.5 million, he wasn’t buying square feet — he was buying a legacy. The 175,000‑square‑foot, 11‑story Art Deco landmark at 1619 Broadway had once been the beating heart of American songwriting. At the time of purchase, it sat underutilized, partially leased, and in need of major capital investment. Where others saw an outdated office block, Hadar saw musical history, nostalgia, and an opportunity to bring back the magic of The Brill Building.
Hadar’s vision was clear and deliberate — don’t erase the building’s identity, amplify it. Hadar and his team at Allied Partners decided to lean into The Brill’s music‑industry DNA to attract modern media, entertainment, and creative tenants. That meant balancing more than $50 million in infrastructure and fit‑out upgrades with meticulous preservation of the building’s Art Deco character and cultural authenticity.
The transformation was successful and strategic. To capture Times Square foot traffic, over 45,000 square feet of lower-level space was converted into high-value retail, while office floors were designed to serve both emerging and established firms in music, media, and entertainment. Securing the Songwriters Hall of Fame as a permanent anchor reconnected the property to its roots and positioned the building as both a living museum and a hub for today’s creative community.
The result: The Brill Building had returned as a unique New York City building, a creative hub with leasing momentum, increased asset value, and renewed relevance, restoring Times Square as a center for media and entertainment with a historic cornerstone at its heart.