Nasdaq to Relocate Headquarters to Times Square

Nasdaq Inc. is relocating its global headquarters from downtown Manhattan to Times Square, according to a story in The Wall Street Journal. The stock-exchange operator, which is home to about 3,900 listings, has signed a 145,000 square-foot lease to move into 4 Times Square, the Durst Organization tower where the company holds its market bell ceremonies. Nasdaq will relocate from One Liberty Plaza, which has served as the company’s home for almost 18 years. Since 1999, Nasdaq has had a presence at 4 Times Square where it launched its MarketSite facility, a space where the company hosts client events. Since then, the location has become a center for the company, Adena Friedman, Nasdaq’s chief executive, said. “Looking at how much time and energy we were spending with clients in Times Square, we realized some employees lose out on spending time with clients and we were bifurcating employees unnecessarily between One Liberty and Times Square,” Ms. Friedman said. The 15-year lease deal with Durst will create a headquarters with a new event space and terrace on the 10th floor of the 1.8 million square-foot tower.