Snowflake Spa Signs Lease for Former Manhattan Drugstore
The spa will occupy a 2,200-square-foot space on Ninth Avenue in Hell's Kitchen under a 10-year agreement.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Commercial
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Snowflake Spa has signed a 10-year lease for a 2,200-square-foot retail space at 619 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. The new location, which replaces a former Walgreens drugstore, adds to the brand's existing footprint in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood.
Why it matters
The deal highlights ongoing commercial real estate activity in Manhattan, where average asking retail rents reached $707 per square foot in the third quarter of 2026. This move demonstrates the brand's continued expansion strategy within the local market.
The average asking rent for Manhattan retail space reached $707 per square foot during the third quarter of 2026. Snowflake Spa committed to a 10-year lease for 2,200 square feet of ground-floor and basement space.
The players
Snowflake Spa
A wellness business expanding its Manhattan footprint with a new 10-year lease.
Walgreens
A national pharmacy chain that previously held the retail space at the 619 Ninth Avenue location.
The details
The retail site at 619 Ninth Avenue, located near West 44th Street, was formerly occupied by a Walgreens drugstore. Snowflake Spa will utilize both the ground floor and the basement levels for its new facility. The expansion follows the brand's established presence at 324 West 49th Street and 606 10th Avenue.
Timeline
Q3 2026: Manhattan retail asking rents averaged $707 per square foot.
October 21, 2026: The lease agreement for the new space was announced.
Money Landscape
This expansion aligns with the broader Manhattan retail market trend, where asking rents averaged $707 per square foot as of the third quarter of 2026. The shift reflects the repurposing of former pharmacy footprints into new service-oriented commercial spaces.
This development reflects shifting commercial land use in Hell's Kitchen that may change the local retail landscape for residents. Those monitoring neighborhood property trends can watch for further redevelopment of large retail footprints previously occupied by national chains.
The takeaway
Large retail spaces vacated by national chains are being repurposed by service-based businesses in Manhattan. Monitor neighborhood permit filings if you are interested in how local property turnover affects your area's services.
Further reading
For more on the local retail market, read our latest Commercial analysis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Commercial Observer.
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