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Sample Business Contracts

New York-New York-601 West 26th Street Lease - 601 West Associates LLC and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia LLC

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  • Commercial Lease. Start a state-specific lease for the rental of commercial property. Specify the term and rent due, as well as whether the landlord or tenant is responsible for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
  • Commercial Sublease. When a tenant vacates commercial property before the lease term has expired, it may be able to rent the premises to a third party. The tenant would be the sublessor and the third party would be the sublessee. Besides preparing a sublease, both parties will want to review the provisions for assignment or subletting in the original lease agreement between the landlord and the sublessor.
  • Sublease Agreement. Tenants of residential property should prepare a sublease agreement if they are seeking to sublease a room or the entire apartment or house to a third party. All parties should review the original lease agreement to see if there are any restrictions on subletting or assigning the premises.
  • Triple Net Lease. Triple net leases are a type of commercial leases where the tenant has to pay for property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance, in addition to the monthly rent.
  • Office Space Lease. When renting an office space, tenants should understand the amount of the rent and duration of the lease. Other important terms include whether the space can be subleased, which parties are responsible for maintenance, and whether any furniture and furnishings will be provided.

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                                                                            2/94

                           STANDARD FORM OF LOFT LEASE
                     The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc.

         AGREEMENT OF LEASE, made as of this day of AUGUST,   1999, between 601
WEST ASSOCIATES LLC, HAVING AN ADDRESS AT 601 WEST 26th STREET, 9th FLOOR, NEW
YORK, NEW YORK 10001, party of the first part, hereinafter referred to as OWNER,
and MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA LLC, HAVING AN ADDRESS AT
party of the second part, hereinafter referred to as TENANT,

WITNESSETH:    Owner hereby leases to Tenant and Tenant hereby hires from Owner
               PART OF THE NINTH FLOOR (WEST) KNOWN AS
               AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED ON EXHIBIT A HERETO,

in the building known as 601 WEST 26th STREET in the Borough of MANHATTAN, City
of New York, for the term of TEN (10) YEARS (or until such term shall sooner
cease and expire as hereinafter provided) to commence on the     day of
nineteen hundred and    COMMENCEMENT DATE*    , and to end on the   day of
and both dates inclusive, at an annual rental rate of

                                                              *AS DEFINED IN THE
SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 43 OF THE ATTACHED RIDER                     ATTACHED RIDER

which Tenant agrees to pay in lawful money of the United States which shall be
legal tender in payment of all debts and dues, public an private, at the time of
payment, in equal monthly installments in advance on the first day of each month
during said term, at the office of Owner or such other place as Owner may
designate, without any set off or deduction whatsoever, except that Tenant shall
pay the first             monthly installment(s) on the execution hereof (unless
this lease be a renewal).

         In the event that, at the commencement of the term of this lease, or
thereafter, Tenant shall be in default in the payment of rent to Owner pursuant
to the terms of another lease with Owner or with Owner's predecessor in
interest, owner may at Owner's option and without notice to Tenant add the
amount of such arrears to any monthly installment of rent payable hereunder and
the same shall be payable to owner as additional rent.

         The parties hereto, for themselves, their heirs, distributees,
executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns, hereby
covenant as follows:

         RENT: 1. Tenant shall pay the rent as above and as hereinafter
provided.

         OCCUPANCY: 2. Tenant shall use and occupy demised premises for
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO, TEST KITCHEN, INTERNET WEB DESIGN 1. LAWFUL PURPOSE IN
KEEPING WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE BUILDING AND ITS USES UNDER LEASES EXECUTED
AFTER JANUARY 1999.

provided such use is in accordance with the certificate of occupancy for the
building, if any, and for no other purpose.

         ALTERATIONS: 3. Tenant shall make no changes in or to the demised
premises of any nature without Owner's prior written consent. Subject to the
prior written consent of Owner, and to the provisions of this article, Tenant,
at Tenant's expense, may make alterations, installations, additions or
improvements which are nonstructural and which do not affect utility services or
plumbing and electrical lines, in or to the interior of the demised premises
using contractors or mechanics first approved in each instance by Owner. Tenant
shall, at its expense, before making any alterations, additions, installations
or improvements obtain all permits, approval and certificates required by any
governmental or quasi-governmental bodies and (upon completion) certificates of
final approval thereof and shall deliver promptly duplicates of all such
permits, approvals and certificates to Owner. Tenant agrees to carry and will
cause Tenant's contractors and sub-contractors to carry such workman's
compensation, general liability, personal and property damage insurance as Owner
may 2. require. If any mechanic's lien is filed against the
<PAGE>   2
demised premises, or the building of which the same forms a part, for work
claimed to have been done for, or materials furnished to, Tenant, whether not
done pursuant to this article, the same shall be discharged by Tenant within
thirty days thereafter, at Tenant's expense, by payment or filing the bond
required by law or otherwise. All fixtures and all paneling, partitions,
railings and like installations, installed in the premises at any time, either
by Tenant or by Owner on Tenant's behalf, shall, upon installation, become the
property of Owner and shall remain upon and be surrendered with the demised
premises unless Owner, by notice to Tenant no later than twenty days prior to
the date fixed as the termination of this lease, elects to relinquish Owner's
right thereto and to have them removed by Tenant, in which event the same shall
be removed from the demised premises by Tenant prior to the expiration of the
lease, at Tenant's expense. Nothing in this Article shall be construed to give
Owner title to or to prevent Tenant's removal of trade fixtures, moveable office
furniture and equipment, but upon removal of any such from the premises or upon
removal of other installations as may be required by Owner, Tenant shall
immediately and at its expense repair and restore the premises to the condition
existing prior to installation and repair any damage to the demised premises or
the building due to such removal. All property permitted or required to be
removed by Tenant at the end of the term remaining in the premises after
Tenant's removal shall be deemed abandoned and may, at the election of Owner,
either be retained as Owner's property or removed from the premises by Owner, at
Tenant's expense.

         REPAIRS: 4. Owner shall maintain and repair the exterior of and the
public portions of the building. Tenant shall throughout the term of this lease,
take good care of the demised premises including the bathrooms and lavatory
facilities (if the demised premises encompass the entire floor of the building)
and the windows and window frames and, the fixtures and appurtenances therein
and at Tenant's sole cost and expense promptly make all repairs thereto and to
the building, whether structural or non-structural in nature, caused by or
resulting from the carelessness, omission, neglect or improper conduct of
Tenant, Tenant's servants, employees, invitees, or licensees, and whether or not
arising from such Tenant conduct or omission, when required by other provisions
of this lease, including Article 6. Tenant shall also repair all damage to the
building and the demised premises caused by the moving of Tenant's fixtures,
furniture or equipment. All the aforesaid repairs shall be of quality or class
equal to the original work or construction. If Tenant fails, after ten days
notice, to proceed with due diligence to make repairs required to be made by
Tenant, the same may be made by the Owner at the expense of Tenant, and the
expenses thereof incurred by owner shall be collectible, as additional rent,
after rendition of a bill or statement therefor. If the demised premises be or
become infested with vermin, Tenant shall, at its expense, cause the same to be
exterminated. Tenant shall give Owner prompt notice of any defective condition
in any plumbing, heating system or electrical lines located in the demised
premises and following such notice, Owner shall remedy the condition with due
diligence, but at the expense of Tenant, if repairs are necessitated by damage
or injury attributable to Tenant, Tenant's servants, agents, employees, invitees
or licensees as aforesaid. Except as specifically provided in Article 9 or
elsewhere in this lease, there shall be no allowance to the Tenant for a
diminution of rental value and no liability on the part of Owner by reason of
inconvenience, annoyance or injury to business arising from Owner, Tenant or
others making or failing to make any repairs, alterations, additions or
improvements in or to any portion of the building or the demised premises or in
and to the fixtures, appurtenances or equipment thereof. It is specifically
agreed that Tenant shall not be entitled to any set off or reduction of rent by
reason of any failure of Owner to comply with the covenants of this or any other
article of this lease. Tenant agrees that Tenant's sole remedy at law in such
instance will be by way of any action for damages for breach of contract. The
provisions of this Article 4 with respect to the making of repairs shall not
apply in the case of fire or other casualty with regard to which Article 9 shall
apply.

         WINDOW CLEANING: 5. Tenant will not clean nor require, permit, suffer
or allow any window in the demised premises to be cleaned from the outside in
violation of Section 202 of the Labor Law or any other applicable law or of the
Rules of the Board of Standards and Appeals, or of any other Board or body
having or asserting jurisdiction.

         REQUIREMENTS OF LAW, FIRE INSURANCE: 6. Prior to the commencement of
the lease term, if Tenant is then in possession, and at all times thereafter,
Tenant, at Tenant's sole cost and expense, promptly comply with all present and
future laws, orders and regulations of all state, federal, municipal and local
governments, departments, commissions and boards and any



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<PAGE>   3
direction of any public officer pursuant to law, and all orders, rules and
regulations of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters, or the Insurance
Services Office, 3. or any similar body which shall impose any violation, order
or duty upon Owner or Tenant with respect to the demised premises, 4. arising
out of Tenant's use or manner of use thereof, or, with respect to the building
if arising out of Tenant's use or manner of use of the demised premises of the
building (including the use permitted under the lease). Except as provided in
Article 30 hereof, nothing herein shall require Tenant to make structural
repairs or alterations unless 5. Tenant has, by its manner of use of the demised
premises or method of operation therein, violated any such laws, ordinances,
orders, rules, regulations or requirements with respect thereto. Tenant shall
not do or permit any act or thing to be done in or to the demised premises which
is contrary to law, or which will invalidate or be in conflict with public
liability, fire or other policies of insurance at any time carried by or for the
benefit of Owner. Tenant shall not keep anything in the demised premises except
as now or hereafter permitted by the Fire Department, Board of Fire
Underwriters, Fire Insurance Rating Organization or other authority having
jurisdiction, and then only in such manner and such quantity so as not to
increase the rate for fire insurance applicable to the building, nor use the
premises in a manner which will increase the insurance rate for the building or
any property located therein over that in effect prior to the commencement of
Tenant's occupancy. If by reason of failure to comply with the foregoing the
fire insurance rate shall, at the beginning of this lease or at any time
thereafter, be higher than it otherwise would be, then Tenant shall reimburse
Owner, as additional rent hereunder, for that portion of all fire insurance
premiums thereafter paid by Owner which shall have been charged because of such
failure by Tenant. In any action or proceeding wherein Owner and Tenant are
parties, a schedule or "make-up" of rate for the building or demised premises
issued by a body making fire insurance rates applicable to said premises shall
be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated and of the several items and
charges in the fire insurance rates then applicable to said premises. Tenant
shall not place a load upon any floor of the demised premises exceeding the
floor load per square foot area which it was designed to carry and which is
allowed by law. Owner reserves the right to prescribe the weight and position of
all safes, business machines and mechanical equipment. Such installations shall
be placed and maintained by Tenant, at Tenant's expense, in settings sufficient,
in Owner's 6. judgment, to absorb and prevent vibration, noise and annoyance.

         SUBORDINATION: 7. This lease is subject and subordinate to all ground
or underlying leases and to all mortgages which may now or hereafter affect such
leases or the real property of which demised premises are a part and to all
renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and extensions of any such
underlying leases and mortgages. This clause shall be self-operative and no
further instrument or subordination shall be required by any ground or
underlying lessor or by any mortgagee, affecting any lease or the real property
of which the demised premises are a part. In confirmation of such subordination,
Tenant shall from time to time execute promptly any certificate that Owner may
request.

         TENANT'S LIABILITY INSURANCE PROPERTY - LOSS, DAMAGE, REIMBURSEMENT,
INDEMNITY: 8. Owner or its agents shall not be liable for any damage to property
of Tenant or other others entrusted to employees of the building, nor for loss
of or damage to any property of Tenant by theft or otherwise, nor for any injury
or damage to persons or property resulting from any cause of whatsoever nature,
unless caused by or due to the negligence of Owner, its agents, servants or
employees; Owner or its agents will not be liable for any such damage caused by
other tenants or persons in, upon or about said building or caused by operations
in connection of any private, public or quasi public work. If at any time any
windows of the demised premises are temporarily closed, darkened or bricked up
(or permanently closed, darkened or bricked up, if required by law) for any
reason whatsoever including, but not limited to Owner's own acts, Owner shall
not be liable for any damage Tenant may sustain thereby and Tenant shall not be
entitled to any compensation therefor nor abatement or diminution of rent nor
shall the same release Tenant from its obligations hereunder nor constitute an
eviction. Tenant shall indemnify and save harmless Owner against and from all
liabilities, obligations, damages, penalties, claims, costs and expenses for
which Owner shall not be reimbursed by insurance, including reasonable attorneys
fees, paid, suffered or incurred as a result of any breach by Tenant, Tenant's
agents, contractors, employees, invitees, or licensees, of any covenant or
condition of this lease, or the carelessness, negligence or improper conduct of
the Tenant, Tenant's agents, contractors, employees, invitees or licensees.
Tenant's liability under the lease extends to the acts and omissions of any
sub-tenant, and any agent, contractor, employee, invitee or licensee of any
sub-tenant. In case any



                                       3
<PAGE>   4
action or proceeding is brought against Owner by reason of any such claim,
Tenant, upon written notice from Owner, will, at Tenant's expense, resist or
defend such action or proceeding by counsel approved by Owner in writing, such
approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

         DESTRUCTION, FIRE AND OTHER CASUALTY: 9. (a) If the demised premises or
any part thereof shall be damaged by fire or other casualty, Tenant shall give
immediate notice thereof to Owner and this lease shall continue in full force
and effect except as hereinafter set forth. (b) If the demised premises are
partially damaged or rendered partially unusable by fire or other casualty, the
damages 7. thereto shall be repaired by and at the expense of Owner and the rent
and other items of additional rent, until such repair shall be substantially
completed, shall be apportioned from the day following the casualty according to
the part of the premises which is usable. (c) If the demised premises are
totally damaged or rendered wholly unusable by fire or other casualty, then the
rent and other items of additional rent as hereinafter expressly provided shall
be proportionately paid up to the time of the casualty and thenceforth shall
cease until the date when the premises 8. shall have been repaired and restored
by Owner (or sooner reoccupied in part by Tenant then rent shall be apportioned
as provided in subsection (b) above), subject to Owner's right to elect not to
restore the same as hereinafter provided. 9. (d) If the demised premises are
rendered wholly unusable or (whether or not the demised premises are damaged in
whole or in part) if the building shall be so damaged that Owner shall decide to
demolish it or to rebuild it, then, in any of such events, Owner may elect to
terminate this lease by written notice to Tenant, given within 90 days after
such fire or casualty, or 30 days after adjustment of the insurance claim for
such fire or casualty whichever is sooner, specifying a date for the expiration
of the lease, which date shall not be more than 60 days after the giving of such
notice, and upon the date specified in such notice the term of this lease shall
expire as fully and completely as if such date were the date set forth above for
the termination of this lease and Tenant shall forthwith quit, surrender and
vacate the premises without prejudice however, to Owner's rights and remedies
against Tenant under the lease provisions in effect prior to such termination,
and any rent owing shall be paid up to such date and any payments of rent made
by Tenant which were on account of any period subsequent to such date shall be
returned to Tenant. Unless Owner shall serve a termination notice as provided
for herein, Owner shall make the repairs and restorations under the conditions
of (b) and (c) hereof, with all reasonable expedition, subject to delays due to
adjustment of insurance claims, labor troubles and causes beyond Owner's
control. After any such casualty, Tenant shall cooperate with Owner's
restoration by removing from the premises as promptly as reasonably possible,
all of Tenant's salvageable inventory and movable equipment, furniture, and
other property. Tenant's liability for rent shall resume five (5) days after
written notice from Owner that the premises are substantially ready for Tenant's
occupancy. (e) Nothing contained hereinabove shall relieve Tenant from liability
that may exist as a result of damage from fire or other casualty.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, including Owner's obligation to restore under
subparagraph (b) above, each party shall look first to any insurance in its
favor before making any claim against the other party for recovery for loss or
damage resulting from fire or other casualty, and to the extent that such
insurance is in force and collectible and to the extent permitted by law, Owner
and Tenant each hereby releases and waives all right of recovery with respect to
subparagraphs (b), (d) and (e) above, against the other or any one claiming
through or under each of them by way of subrogation or otherwise. The release
and waiver herein referred to shall be deemed to include any loss or damage to
the demised premises and/or to any personal property, equipment, trade fixtures,
goods and merchandise located therein. The foregoing release and waiver shall be
in force only if both releasors' insurance policies contain a clause providing
that such a release or waiver shall not invalidate the insurance. If, and to the
extent, that such waiver can be obtained only by the payment of additional
premiums, then the party benefitting from the waiver shall pay such premium
within ten days after written demand or shall be deemed to have agreed that the
party obtaining insurance coverage shall be free of any further obligation under
the provisions hereof with respect to waiver of subrogation. Tenant acknowledges
that Owner will not carry insurance on Tenant's furniture and/or furnishings or
any fixtures or equipment, improvements, or appurtenances removable by Tenant
and agrees that Owner will not be obligated to repair any damage thereto or
replace the same. (f) Tenant hereby waives the provisions of Section 227 of the
Real Property Law and agrees that the provisions of this article shall govern
and control in lieu thereof.


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<PAGE>   5
         EMINENT DOMAIN: 10. If the whole or any part of the demised premises
shall be acquired or condemned by Eminent Domain for any public or quasi public
use or purpose, then and in that event, the term of this lease shall cease and
terminate from the date of title vesting in such proceeding and Tenant shall
have no claim for the value of any unexpired term of said lease. Tenant shall
have the right to make an independent claim to the condemning authority for the
value of Tenant's moving expenses and personal property, trade fixtures and
equipment, provided Tenant is entitled pursuant to the terms of the lease to
remove such property, trade fixtures and equipment at the end of the term and
provided further such claim does not reduce Owner's award.

         ASSIGNMENT, MORTGAGE, ETC.: 11. Tenant, for itself, its heirs,
distributees, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and
assigns, expressly covenants that it shall not assign, mortgage or encumber this
agreement, nor underlet, or suffer or permit the demised premises or any part
thereof to be used by others, without the prior written consent of Owner in each
instance. Transfer of the majority of the stock of a corporate Tenant or the
majority partnership interest of a partnership Tenant shall be deemed an
assignment. If this lease be assigned, or if the demised premises or any part
thereof be underlet or occupied by anybody other than Tenant, Owner may, after
default by Tenant, collect rent from the assignee, under-tenant or occupant, and
apply the net amount collected to the rent herein reserved, but no such
assignment, underletting, occupancy or collection shall be deemed a waiver of
this covenant, or the acceptance of assignee, under-tenant or occupant as
tenant, or a release of Tenant from the further performance by Tenant of
covenants on the part of Tenant herein contained. The consent by Owner to any
assignment or underletting shall not in any wise be construed to relieve Tenant
from obtaining the express consent in writing of Owner to any further assignment
or underletting.

         ELECTRIC CURRENT: 12. Rates and conditions in respect to submetering or
rent inclusion, as the case may be, to be added in RIDER attached hereto. Tenant
covenants and agrees that at all times its use of electric current shall not
exceed the capacity of existing feeders to the building or the risers or wiring
installation and Tenant may not use any electrical equipment which, in Owner's
opinion, reasonably exercised, will overload such installations or interfere
with the use thereof by other tenants of the building. The change at any time of
the character of electric service shall in no wise make Owner liable or
responsible to Tenant, for any loss, damages or expenses which Tenant may
sustain.

         ACCESS TO PREMISES: 13. Owner or Owner's agents shall have the right
(but shall not be obligated) to enter the demised premises in any emergency at
any time, and, at other reasonable times, 10. to examine the same and to make
such repairs, replacements and improvements as Owner may deem necessary and
reasonably desirable to any portion of the building or which Owner may elect to
perform in the premises after Tenant's failure to make repairs or perform any
work which Tenant is obligated to perform under this lease, or for the purpose
of complying with the laws, regulations and other directions of governmental
authorities. Tenant shall permit Owner to use and maintain and replace pipes and
conduits in and through the demised premises and to erect new pipes and conduits
therein provided, wherever possible, they are within walls or otherwise
concealed. Owner may, during the progress of any work in the demised premises,
take all necessary materials and equipment into said premises without the same
constituting an eviction nor shall the Tenant be entitled to any abatement of
rent while such work is in progress nor to any damages by reason of loss or
interruption of business or otherwise. 11. Throughout the term hereof Owner
shall have the right to enter the demised premises at reasonable hours 10. for
the purpose of showing the same to prospective purchasers or mortgagees of the
building, and during the last six months of the terms for the purpose of showing
the same to prospective tenants. If Tenant is not present to open and permit an
entry into the demised premises, Owner or Owner's agents may enter the same
whenever such entry may be necessary or permissible by master key or forcibly
and provided reasonable care is exercised to safeguard Tenant's property, such
entry shall not render Owner or its agents liable therefor, nor in any event
shall the obligations of Tenant hereunder be affected.

         VAULT, VAULT SPACE, AREA: 14. No Vaults, vault space or area, whether
or not enclosed or covered, not within the property line of the building is
leased hereunder, anything contained in or indicated on any sketch, blue print
or plan, or anything contained elsewhere in this lease to the contrary
notwithstanding, Owner makes no representation as to the location of the
property


                                       5
<PAGE>   6
line of the building. All vaults and vault space and all such areas not within
the property line of the building, which Tenant may be permitted to use and/or
occupy, is to be used and/or occupied under a revocable license, and if any such
license be revoked, or if the amount of such space or area be diminished or
required by any federal, state or municipal authority or public utility, Owner
shall not be subject to any liability nor shall Tenant be entitled to any
compensation or diminution or abatement of rent, nor shall such revocation,
diminution or requisition be deemed constructive or actual eviction. Any tax,
fee or charge of municipal authorities for such vault or area shall be paid by
Tenant, if used by Tenant, whether or not specifically leased hereunder.

         OCCUPANCY: 15. Tenant will not at any time use or occupy the demised
premises in violation of the certificate of occupancy issued for the building of
which the demised premises are a part. Tenant has inspected the premises and
accepts them as is, subject to the riders annexed hereto with respect to Owner's
work, if any. In any event, Owner makes no representation as to the condition of
the premises and Tenant agrees to accept the same subject to violations 12.
whether or not of record. 13. If any governmental license or permit shall be
required for the proper and lawful conduct of Tenant's business, Tenant shall be
responsible for and shall procure and maintain such license or permit.

         BANKRUPTCY: 16. (a) Anything elsewhere in this lease to the contrary
notwithstanding, this lease may be cancelled by Owner by the sending or a
written notice to Tenant within a reasonable time after the happening of any one
or more of the following events: (1) the commencement of a case in bankruptcy or
under the laws of any state naming Tenant as the debtor; or (2) the making by
Tenant of an assignment or any other arrangement for the benefit of creditors
under any state statute. Neither Tenant nor any person claiming through or under
Tenant, or by reason of any statute or order of court, shall thereafter by
entitled to possession of the premises demised but shall forthwith quit and
surrender the premises. If this lease shall be assigned in accordance with its
terms, the provisions of this Article 16 shall be applicable only to the party
then owning Tenant's interest in this lease.

         (b) It is stipulated and agreed that in the event of the termination of
this lease pursuant to (a) hereof, Owner shall forthwith, notwithstanding any
other provisions of this lease to the contrary, be entitled to recover from
Tenant as and for liquidated damages an amount equal to the difference between
the rent reserved hereunder for the unexpired portion of the term demised and
the fair and reasonable rental value of the demised premises for the same
period. In the computation of such damages the difference between any
installment of rent becoming due hereunder after the date of termination and the
fair and reasonable rental value of the demised premises for the period for
which such installment was payable shall be discounted to the date of
termination at the rate of four percent (4%) per annum. If such premises or any
part thereof be relet by the Owner for the unexpired term of said lease, or any
part thereof, before presentation of proof of such liquidated damages to any
court, commission or tribunal, the amount of rent reserved upon such reletting
shall be deemed to be the fair and reasonable rental value for the part or the
whole of the premises so re-let during the term of the re-letting. Nothing
herein contained shall limit or prejudice the right of the Owner to prove for
and obtain as liquidated damages by reason of such termination, an amount equal
to the maximum allowed by any statute or rule of law in effect at the time when,
and governing the proceedings in which, such damages are to be proved, whether
or not such amount be greater, equal to, or less than the amount of the
difference referred to above.

         DEFAULT: 14. 17. (1) If Tenant defaults in fulfilling any of the
covenants of this lease other than the covenants for the payment of rent or
additional rent; or if the demised premises becomes vacant or deserted "or if
this lease be rejected under SS 235 of Title 11 of the U.S. Code (bankruptcy
code); or if any execution or attachment shall be issued against Tenant or any
of Tenant's property whereupon the demised premises shall be taken or occupied
by someone other than Tenant; or if Tenant shall have failed, after five (5)
days written notice, to redeposit with Owner any portion of the security
deposited hereunder which Owner has applied to the payment of any rent and
additional rent due; then in any one or more of such events, upon Owner serving
a written fifteen (15) days notice upon Tenant specifying the nature of said
default and upon the expiration of said fifteen (15) days, if Tenant shall have
failed to comply with or remedy such default, or if the said default or omission
complained of shall be of a nature that the same cannot be completely cured or
remedied within said fifteen (15) day period, and if Tenant shall not have
diligently commenced during such default within such (15) day period, and shall
not thereafter


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<PAGE>   7
with reasonable diligence and in good faith, proceed to remedy or cure such
default, then Owner may serve a written five (5) days' notice of cancellation of
this lease upon Tenant, and upon the expiration of said five (5) days this lease
and the term thereunder shall end and expire as fully and completely as if the
expiration of such 5 day period were the day herein definitely fixed for the end
and expiration of this lease and the term thereof and Tenant shall then quit and
surrender the demised premises to Owner but Tenant shall remain liable as
hereinafter provided.

            (2) If the notice provided for in (1) hereof shall have been given,
and the term shall expire as aforesaid; or if Tenant shall make default in the
payment of the rent reserved herein or any item of additional rent herein
mentioned or any part of either or in making any other payment herein required
15. then and in any of such events Owner may without notice, re-enter the
demised premises either by force or otherwise, and dispossess Tenant by summary
proceedings or otherwise, and the legal representative of Tenant or other
occupant of demised premises and remove their effects and hold the premises as
if this lease had not been made, and Tenant hereby waives the service of notice
of intention to re-enter or to institute legal proceedings to that end. If
Tenant shall make default hereunder prior to the date fixed as the commencement
of any renewal or extension of this lease, Owner may cancel and terminate such
renewal or extension agreement by written notice.

         REMEDIES OF OWNER AND WAIVER OF REDEMPTION: 18. In case of any such
default, re-entry, expiration and/or dispossess by summary proceedings or
otherwise, (a) the rent, and additional rent, shall become due thereupon and be
paid up to the time of such re-entry, dispossess and/or expiration, (b) Owner
may re-let the premises or any part or parts thereof, either in the name of
Owner or otherwise, for a term or terms, which may at Owner's option be less
than or exceed the period which would otherwise have constituted the balance of
the term of this lease and may grant concessions or free rent or charge a higher
rental than that in this lease, (c) Tenant or the legal representatives of
Tenant shall also pay Owner as liquidated damages for the failure of Tenant to
observe and perform said Tenant's covenants herein contained, any deficiency
between the rent hereby reserved and/or covenanted to be paid and the net
amount, if any, of the rents collected on account of the subsequent lease or
leases of the demised premises for each month of the period which would
otherwise have constituted the balance of the term of this lease. 16. In
computing such liquidated damages there shall be added to the said deficiency
such 6. expenses as Owner may incur in connection with re-letting, such as legal
expenses, reasonable attorneys' fees, brokerage, advertising and for keeping the
demised premises in good order or for preparing the same for re-letting. Any
such liquidated damages shall be paid in monthly installments by Tenant on the
rent day specified in this lease and any suit brought to collect the amount of
the deficiency for any month shall not prejudice in any way the rights of Owner
to collect the deficiency for any subsequent month by a similar proceeding.
Owner, in putting the demised premises in good order or preparing the same for
re-rental may, at Owner's option, make such alterations, repairs, replacements,
and/or decorations in the demised premises as Owner, in Owner's 6. judgment,
considers advisable and necessary for the purpose of re-letting the demised
premises, and the making of such alterations, repairs, replacements, and/or
decorations shall not operate or be construed to release Tenant from liability
hereunder as aforesaid. Owner shall in no event be liable in any way whatsoever
for failure to re-let the demised premises, or in the event that the demised
premises are re-let, for failure to collect the rent thereof under such
re-letting, and in no event shall Tenant be entitled to receive any excess, in
any, of such net rents collected over the sums payable by Tenant to Owner
hereunder. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Tenant of any of the
covenants or provisions hereof, Owner shall have the right of injunction and the
right to invoke any remedy allowed at law or in equity as if re-entry, summary
proceedings and other remedies were not herein provided for. Mention in this
lease of any particular remedy, shall not preclude Owner from any other remedy,
in law or in equity. Tenant hereby expressly waives any and all rights of
redemption granted by or under any present or future laws.

         FEES AND EXPENSES: 19. If Tenant shall default in the observance or
performance of any term or covenant on Tenant's part to be observed or performed
under or by virtue or any of the terms or provisions in any article of this
lease, after notice if required and upon expiration of any applicable 17. period
if any (except in an emergency), then, unless otherwise provided elsewhere in
this lease, Owner may immediately or at any time thereafter and without notice
perform the obligation of Tenant thereunder. If Owner, in connection with the
foregoing or in connection with any default by Tenant in the covenant to pay
rent hereunder, makes any expenditures or


                                       7
<PAGE>   8
incurs any obligations for the payment of money, including but not limited to
attorney's fees, in instituting, prosecuting or defending any action or
proceedings, and prevails in any such action or proceeding then Tenant will
reimburse Owner for such sums so paid or obligations incurred with interest and
costs. The foregoing expenses incurred by reason of Tenant's default shall be
deemed to be additional rent hereunder and shall be paid by Tenant to Owner
within ten (10) days of rendition of any bill or statement to Tenant therefor.
If Tenant's lease term shall have expired at the time of making of such
expenditures or incurring of such obligations, such sums shall be recoverable by
Owner as damages.

         BUILDING ALTERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: 20. Owner shall have the right at
any time without the same constituting an eviction and without incurring
liability to Tenant therefor 18. to change the arrangement and or location of
public entrances, passageways, doors, doorways, corridors, elevators, stairs,
toilets or other public parts of the building and to change the name, number or
designation by which the building may be known. 18. There shall be no allowance
to Tenant for diminution of rental value and no liability on the part of Owner
by reason of inconvenience, annoyance or injury to business arising from Owner
or other Tenant making any repairs in the building or any such alterations,
additions and improvements. Furthermore, Tenant shall not have any claim against
Owner by reason of Owner's imposition of any 6. controls of the manner of access
to the building by Tenant's social or business visitors as the Owner may deem
necessary for the security of the building and its occupants.

         NO REPRESENTATIONS BY OWNER: 21. Neither Owner nor Owner's agents have
made any representations or promises with respect to the physical condition of
the building, the land upon which it is erected or the demised premises, the
rents, leases, expenses of operation or any other matter or thing affecting or
related to the demised premises except as herein expressly set forth and no
rights, easements or licenses are acquired by Tenant by implication or otherwise
except as expressly set forth in the provisions of this lease. Tenant has
inspected the building and the demised premises and is thoroughly acquainted
with their condition and agrees to take the same "as is" and acknowledges that
the taking of possession of the demised premises by Tenant shall be conclusive
evidence that the said premises and the building of which the same form a part
were in good and satisfactory condition at the time such possession was so
taken, except as to latent defects. All understandings and agreements heretofore
made between the parties hereto are merged in this contract, which alone fully
and completely expresses the agreement between Owner and Tenant and any
executory agreement hereafter made shall be ineffective to change, modify,
discharge or effect an abandonment of it in whole or in part, unless such
executory agreement is in writing and signed by the party against whom
enforcement of the change, modification, discharge or abandonment is sought.

         END OF TERM: 22. Upon the expiration or other termination of the term
of this lease, Tenant shall quit and surrender to Owner the demised premises,
broom clean, in good order and condition, ordinary wear and damages which Tenant
is not required to repair as provided elsewhere in this lease excepted, and
Tenant shall remove all its property from the demised premises. Tenant's
obligation to observe or perform this covenant shall survive the expiration or
other termination of this lease.

         QUIET ENJOYMENT: 23. Owner covenants and agrees with Tenant that upon
Tenant paying the rent and additional rent and observing and performing all the
terms, covenants and conditions, on Tenant's part to be observed and performed,
Tenant may peaceably and quietly enjoy the premises hereby demised, subject,
nevertheless, to the terms and conditions of this lease including, but not
limited to, Article 34 hereof and to the ground leases, underlying leases and
mortgages hereinbefore mentioned.

         FAILURE TO GIVE POSSESSION: 24. If Owner is unable to give possession
of the demised premises on the date of the commencement of the term hereof,
because of the holding-over or retention of possession of any tenant,
undertenant or occupants or if the demised premises are located in a building
being constructed, because such building has not been sufficiently completed to
make the premises ready for occupancy or because of the fact that a certificate
of occupancy has not been procured or if Owner has not completed any work
required to be performed by Owner, or for any other reason, Owner shall not be
subject to any liability for failure to give possession on said date and the
validity of the lease shall not be impaired under such circumstances, nor shall
the same be construed in any wise to extend the term of this lease,


                                       8
<PAGE>   9
but the rent payable hereunder shall be abated (provided Tenant is not
responsible for Owner's inability to obtain possession or complete any work
required) until after Owner shall have given Tenant notice that Owner is able to
deliver possession in the condition required by this lease. If permission is
given to Tenant to enter into the possession of the demised premises or to
occupy premises other than the demised premises prior to the date specified as
the commencement of the term of this lease, Tenant covenants and agrees that
such possession and/or occupancy shall be deemed to be under all the terms,
covenants, conditions and provisions of this lease, except the obligation to pay
the fixed annual rent set forth in page one of the lease. The provisions of this
article are intended to constitute "an express provision to the contrary" within
the meaning of Section 223-a of the New York Real Property Law.

         NO WAIVER: 25. The failure of 19. to seek redress for violation of, or
to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant or condition of this lease
or of any of the Rules or Regulations, set forth or hereafter adopted by Owner,
shall not prevent a subsequent act which would have originally constituted a
violation from having all the force and effect of an original violation. The
receipt by Owner of rent with knowledge of the breach of any covenant of this
lease shall not be deemed a waiver of such breach and no provision of this lease
shall be deemed to have been waived by Owner unless such waiver be in writing
signed by Owner. No payment by Tenant or receipt by Owner of a lesser amount
than the monthly rent herein stipulated shall be deemed to be other than on
account of the earliest stipulated rent, nor shall any endorsement or statement
of any check or any letter accompanying any check or payment as rent be deemed
an accord and satisfaction, and Owner may accept such check or payment without
prejudice to Owner's right to recover the balance of such rent or pursue any
other remedy in this lease provided. All checks tendered to Owner as and for the
rent of the demised premises shall be deemed payments for the account of Tenant.
Acceptance by Owner of rent from anyone other than Tenant shall not be deemed to
operate as an attornment to Owner by the payor of such rent or as a consent by
Owner to an assignment or subletting by Tenant of the demised premises to such
payor, or as a modification of the provisions of this lease. No act or thing
done by Owner or Owner's agents during the term hereby demised shall be deemed
an acceptance of a surrender of said premises and no agreement to accept such
surrender shall be valid unless in writing signed by Owner. No employee of Owner
or Owner's agent shall have any power to accept the keys of said premises prior
to the termination of the lease and the delivery of keys in any such agent or
employee shall not operate as a termination of the lease or a surrender of the
premises.

         WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY: 26. It is mutually agreed by and between Owner
and Tenant that the respective parties hereto shall and they hereby do waive
trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim brought by either of the
parties hereto against the other (except for personal injury or property damage)
on any matters whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with this
lease, the relationship of Owner and Tenant, Tenant's use or occupancy of said
premises, and any emergency statutory or any other statutory remedy. It is
further mutually agreed in the event Owner commences any proceeding or action
for possession including a summary proceeding for possession of the premises,
Tenant will not interpose any counterclaim of whatever nature or description in
any such proceeding including a counterclaim under Article 4 except for
statutory mandatory counterclaims.

         INABILITY TO PERFORM: 27. This Lease and the obligation of Tenant to
pay rent hereunder and perform all of the other covenants and agreements
hereunder on part of Tenant to be performed shall in any wise be affected,
impaired or excused because Owner is unable to fulfill any of its obligations
under this lease or to supply or is delayed in supplying any service expressly
or impliedly to be supplied or is unable to make, or is delayed in making any
repair, additions, alterations or decorations or is unable to supply or is
delayed in supplying any equipment, fixtures or other materials if Owner is
prevented or delayed from so doing by reason of strike or labor troubles or any
cause whatsoever beyond Owner's sole control including, but not limited to,
government preemption or restrictions or by reason of any rule, order or
regulation of any department or subdivision thereof of any government agency or
by reason of the conditions of supply and demand which have been or are
affected, either directly or indirectly, by war or other emergency.

         BILLS AND NOTICES: 28. Except as otherwise in this lease provided, a
bill statement, notice or communication which Owner may desire or be required to
give to Tenant, shall be deemed sufficiently given or rendered if, in writing,
delivered to Tenant personally or sent by registered


                                       9
<PAGE>   10
or certified mail addressed to Tenant at the building of which the demised
premises form a part or at the last known residence address or business address
of Tenant or left at any of the aforesaid premises addressed to Tenant, and the
time of the rendition of such bill or statement and of the giving of such notice
or communication shall be deemed to be the time when the same is delivered to
Tenant, mailed, or left at the premises as herein provided. Any notice by Tenant
to Owner must be served by registered or certified mail addressed to Owner at
the address first hereinabove given or at such other address as Owner shall
designate by written notice.

         WATER CHARGES: 29. If Tenant requires, uses or consumes water for any
purpose in addition to ordinary lavatory purposes (of which fact Tenant
constitutes Owner to be the sole judge) Owner may install a water meter and
thereby measure Tenant's water consumption for all purposes. Tenant shall pay
Owner for the cost of the meter and the cost of the installation, thereof and
throughout the duration of Tenant's occupancy Tenant shall keep said meter and
installation equipment in good working order and repair at Tenant's own cost and
expense in default of which Owner may cause such meter and equipment to be
replaced or repaired and collect the cost thereof from Tenant, as additional
rent. Tenant agrees to pay for water consumed, as shown on said meter as and
when bills are rendered, and on default in making such payment Owner may pay
such charges and collect the same from Tenant, as additional rent. Tenant
covenants and agrees to pay, as additional rent, the sewer rent, charge or any
other tax, rent, levy or charge which now or hereafter is assessed, imposed or a
lien upon the demised premises or the realty of which they are part pursuant to
law, order or regulation made or issued in connection with the use, consumption,
maintenance or supply of water, water system or sewage or sewage connection or
system. If the building or the demised premises or any part thereof is supplied
with water through a meter through which water is also supplied to other
premises Tenant shall pay to Owner, as additional rent, on the first day of each
month,    % ($ ) of the total meter charges as Tenant's portion. Independently
of and in addition to any of the remedies reserved to Owner hereinabove or
elsewhere in this lease, Owner may sue for and collect any monies to be paid by
Tenant or paid by Owner for any of the reasons or purposes hereinabove set
forth.

         SPRINKLERS: 30. Anything elsewhere in this lease to the contrary
notwithstanding, if the New York Board of Fire Underwriters or the New York Fire
Insurance Exchange or any bureau, department or official of the federal, state
or city government recommend or require the installation of a sprinkler system
or that any changes, modifications, alterations, or additional sprinkler heads
or other equipment be made or supplied in an existing sprinkler system by reason
of Tenant's business, or the location of partitions, trade fixtures, or other
contents of the demised premises, or for any other reason, or if any such
sprinkler system installations, modifications, alterations, additional sprinkler
heads or other such equipment, become necessary to prevent the imposition of a
penalty or charge against the full allowance for a sprinkler system in the fire
insurance rate set by any said Exchange or by any fire insurance company, Tenant
shall, at Tenant's expense, promptly make such sprinkler system installations,
changes, modifications, alterations, and supply additional sprinkler heads or
other equipment as required whether the work involved shall be structural or
non-structural in nature. Tenant shall pay to Owner as additional rent of the
contract price for sprinkler supervisory service.

         ELEVATORS, HEAT, CLEANING: 31. Owner shall: (a) provide necessary
passenger elevator facilities on business days from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; (b) if freight elevator service is provided,
same shall be provided only on regular business days Monday through Friday
inclusive, and on those days only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon and
between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.; (c) furnish heat, water and other services supplied
by Owner to the demised premises, when and as required by law, on business days
from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; (d) clean the
public halls and public portions of the building which are sued in common by all
tenants. Tenant shall, at Tenant's expense, keep the demised premises, including
the windows, clean and in order, to the reasonable satisfaction of Owner, and
for that purpose shall employ the person or persons, or corporation approved by
Owner. Tenant shall pay to Owner the cost of removal of any of Tenant's refuse
and rubbish from the building. Bills for the same shall be rendered by Owner to
Tenant at such time as Owner may elect and shall be due and payable hereunder,
and the amount of such bills shall be deemed to be, and be paid as, additional
rent. Tenant shall, however, have the option of independently contracting for
the removal of such rubbish and refuse in the event that Tenant does not wish to
have same done by employees of Owner. Under such circumstances, however,


                                       10
<PAGE>   11
the removal of such refuse and rubbish by others shall be subject to such rules
and regulations as, in the judgment of Owner, are necessary for the proper
operation of the building. Owner reserves the right to stop service of the
heating, elevator, plumbing and electric systems, when necessary, by reason of
accident, or emergency, or for repairs, alterations, replacements or
improvements, in the judgment of Owner desirable or necessary to be made, until
said repairs, alterations, replacements or improvements shall have been
completed. If the building of which the demised premises are a part supplies
manually operated elevator service, Owner may proceed diligently with
alterations necessary to substitute automatic control elevator service without
in any affecting the obligations of Tenant hereunder.

         SECURITY: 32. Tenant has deposited with Owner the sum of $895,932.00 as
security for the faithful performance and observance by Tenant of the terms,
provisions and conditions of this lease; it is agreed that in the event Tenant
defaults in respect of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this
lease, including, but not limited to, the payment of rent and additional rent,
Owner may use, apply or retain the whole or any part of the security so
deposited to the extent required for the payment of any rent and additional rent
or any other sum as to which Tenant is in default or for any sum which Owner may
expend or may be required to expend by reason of Tenant's default in respect of
any of the terms, covenants and conditions of this lease, including but not
limited to, any damages or deficiency in the reletting of the premises, whether
such damages or deficiency accrued before or after summary proceedings or other
re-entry by Owner. In the event that Tenant shall fully and faithfully comply
with all of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this lease, the
security shall be returned to Tenant after the date fixed as the end of the
Lease and after delivery of entire possession of the demised premises to Owner.
In the event of a sale of the land and building or leasing of the building, of
which the demised premises form a part, Owner shall have the right to transfer
the security to the vendee or lessee and Owner shall thereupon be released by
Tenant from all liability for the return of such security; and Tenant agrees to
look to the new Owner solely for the return of said security, and it is agreed
that the provisions hereof shall apply to every transfer or assignment made of
the security to a new Owner. Tenant further covenants that it will not assign or
encumber or attempt to assign or encumber the monies deposited herein as
security and that neither Owner nor its successors or assigns shall be bound by
any such assignment, encumbrance, attempted assignment or attempted encumbrance.

         CAPTIONS: 33. The Captions are inserted only as a matter of convenience
and for reference and no way define, limit or describe the scope of this lease
nor the intent of any provisions thereof.

         DEFINITIONS: 34. The term "Owner" as used in this lease means only the
owner of the fee or of the leasehold of the building, or the mortgagee in
possession, for the time being of the land and building (or the owner of a lease
of the building or of the land and building) of which the demised premises form
a part, so that in the event of any sale or sales of said land and building or
of said lease, or in the event of a lease of said building, or of the land and
building, the said Owner shall be and hereby is entirely freed and relieved of
all covenants and obligations of Owner hereunder, and it shall be deemed and
construed without further agreement between the parties or their successors in
interest, or between the parties and the purchaser, at any such sale, or the
said lessee of the building, or of the land and building, that the purchaser or
the lessee of the building has assumed and agreed to carry out any and all
covenants and obligations of Owner, hereunder. The words "re-enter" and
"re-entry" as used in this lease are not restricted in their technical legal
meaning. The term "rent" includes the annual rental rate whether so expressed or
expressed in monthly installments, and "additional rent." "Additional rent"
means all sums which shall be due to Owner from Tenant under this lease, in
addition to the annual rental rate. The term "business days" as used in this
lease, shall exclude Saturdays, Sundays and all days observed by the State or
Federal Government as legal holidays and those designated as holidays by the
applicable building service union employees service contract or by the
applicable Operating Engineers contract with respect to HVAC service. Wherever
it is expressly provided in this lease that content shall not be unreasonably
withheld, such consent shall not be unreasonably delayed.

         ADJACENT EXCAVATION -- SHORING: 35. If an excavation shall be made upon
land adjacent to the demised premises, or shall be authorized to be made, Tenant
shall afford to the person causing or authorized in cause such excavation,
license to enter upon the demised


                                       11
<PAGE>   12
premises for the purpose of doing such work as said person shall deem necessary
to preserve the wall or the building of which demised premises form a part from
injury or damage and to support the same by proper foundations without any claim
for damages or indemnity against Owner, or diminution or abatement of rent.

         RULES AND REGULATIONS: 36. Tenant and Tenant's servants, employees,
agents, visitors, and licensees shall observe faithfully, and comply strictly
with, the Rules and Regulations annexed hereto and such other and further
reasonable Rules and Regulations as Owner or Owner's agents may from time to
time adopt. Notice of any additional rules or regulations shall be given in such
manner as Owner may elect. In case Tenant disputes the reasonableness of any
additional Rule or Regulation hereafter made or adopted by Owner or Owner's
agents, the parties hereto agree to submit the question of the reasonableness of
such Rule or Regulation for decision to the New York office of the American
Arbitration Association, whose determination shall be final and conclusive upon
the parties hereto. The right to dispute the reasonableness of any additional
Rule or Regulation upon Tenant's part shall be deemed waived unless the same
shall be asserted by service of a notice, in writing upon Owner within 20. days
after the giving of notice thereof. 21.

         GLASS: 37. Owner shall replace, at the expense of the Tenant, any and
all plate and other glass damaged or broken from any cause whatsoever in and
about the demised premises. Owner may insure, and keep insured, at Tenant's
expense, all plate and other glass in the demised premises for and in the name
of Owner. Bills for the premiums therefor shall be rendered by Owner to Tenant
at such times as Owner may elect, and shall be due from, and payable by, Tenant
when rendered, and the amount thereof shall be deemed to be, and be paid, as
additional rent.

         ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE: 38. Tenant, at any time, and from time to time,
upon at least 10 days' prior notice by Owner, shall execute, acknowledge and
deliver to Owner, and/or to any other person, firm or corporation specified by
Owner, a statement certifying that this Lease is unmodified in full force and
effect (or, if there have been modifications, that the same is in full force and
effect as modified and stating the modifications), stating the dates to which
the rent and additional rent have been paid, and stating whether or not there
exists any default by Owner under this Lease, and, if so, specifying each such
default.

         DIRECTORY BOARD LISTING: 39. If, at the request of and as accommodation
to Tenant, Owner shall place upon the directory board in the lobby of the
building, one or more names of persons other than Tenant, such directory board
listing shall not be construed as the consent by Owner to an assignment or
subletting by Tenant to such person or persons.

         SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS: 40. The covenants, conditions and agreements
contained in this lease shall bind and inure to the benefit of Owner and Tenant
and their respective heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, successors,
and except as otherwise provided in this lease, their assigns. Tenant shall look
only to Owner's estate and interest in the land and building for the
satisfaction of Tenant's remedies for the collection of a judgment (or other
judicial process) against Owner in the event of any default by Owner hereunder,
and no other property or assets of such Owner (or any partner, member, officer
or director thereof, disclosed or undisclosed), shall be subject to levy,
execution or other enforcement procedure for the satisfaction of Tenant's
remedies under or with respect to this lease, the relationship of Owner and
Tenant hereunder, or Tenant's use and occupancy of the demised premises.

--------------------------------
Space to be filed in or deleted.


                                       12
<PAGE>   13
               SEE RIDERS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Tenant have respectively signed and sealed this
lease as of the day and year first above written.

                                              601 WEST ASSOCIATES LLC
Witness for Owner:                            BY:  SLB MANAGER LLC

                                              BY:  /s/ Mark Karasick      [L.S.]
-----------------------------------              -------------------------------
                                                   NAME:  Mark Karasick
                                                   TITLE:  Member

                                              MARTHA STEWART LIVING
Witness for Tenant:                                 OMNIMEDIA LLC

                                              BY:  /s/ Peter Mack         [L.S.]
-----------------------------------              -------------------------------
                                                   NAME:  Peter Mack
                                                   TITLE:  Exec Vice President



                                ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS




CORPORATE TENANT
STATE OF NEW YORK,        ss.:
County of


         On this     day of            , 19 , before me personally came
              to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that
he resides in                                          that he is the
               of                   the corporation described in and which
executed the foregoing instrument, as TENANT; that he knows the seal of said
corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal;
that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation,
and that he signed his name thereto by like order.




-------------------------------------

INDIVIDUAL TENANT
STATE OF NEW YORK,        ss.:
County of

      On this      day of             , 19 , before me personally came
          to be known and known to me to be the individual described in and
who, as TENANT, executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that
he executed the same.



-------------------------------------

                                       13
<PAGE>   14
Address

Premises

                                       TO

                                STANDARD FORM OF

                                      Loft

                                      Lease

                     The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc.
                    (C) Copyright 1994. All rights Reserved.
                  Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited.

Dated                                                                  19

Rent Per Year

Rent Per Month

Term
From
To

Drawn by .........................

Checked by .......................

Entered by .......................

Approved by ......................




                                       1
<PAGE>   15
                             IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
                      RULES AND REGULATIONS ATTACHED TO AND
            MADE A PART OF THIS LEASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 36.

         1. The sidewalks, entrances, driveways, passages, courts, elevators,
vestibules, stairways, corridors or halls shall not be obstructed or encumbered
by any Tenant or used for any purpose other than for ingress or egress from the
demised premises and for delivery of merchandise and equipment in a prompt and
efficient manner using elevators and passageways designated for such delivery by
Owner. There shall not be used in any space, or in the public hall of the
building, either by any Tenant or by jobbers or others in the delivery or
receipt of merchandise, any hand trucks, except those equipped with rubber tires
and sideguards.

         2. The water and wash closets and plumbing fixtures shall not be used
for any purposes other than those for which they were designed or constructed
and no sweepings, rubbish, rags, acids or other substances shall be deposited
therein, and the expense of any breakage, stoppage, or damage resulting from the
violation of this rule shall be borne by the Tenant who, or whose clerks,
agents, employees or visitors, shall have caused it.

         3. No carpet, rug or other article shall be hung or shaken out of any
window of the building; and no Tenant shall sweep or throw or permit to be swept
or thrown from the demised premises any dirt or other substances into any of the
corridors of halls, elevators, or out of the doors or windows or stairways of
the building and Tenant shall not use, keep or permit to be used or kept any
foul or noxious gas or substance in the demised premises. Smoking or carrying
lighted cigars or cigarettes in the elevators of the building in prohibited.

         4. No awnings or other projections shall be attached to the outside
walls of the building without the prior written consent of Owner.

         5. No sign, advertisement, notice or other lettering shall be
exhibited, inscribed, painted or affixed by any Tenant on any part of the
outside of the demised premises or the building or on the inside of the demised
premises if the same is visible from the outside of the premises without the
prior written consent of Owner, except that the name of Tenant may appear on the
entrance door of the premises. In the event of the violation of the foregoing by
any Tenant, owner may remove same without any liability and may charge the
expense incurred by such removal to Tenant or Tenants violating this rule.
Interior signs on doors and directory tablet shall be inscribed, painted or
affixed for each Tenant by Owner at the expense of such Tenant, and shall be of
a size, color and style acceptable to Owner.

         6. No Tenant shall lay linoleum, or other similar floor covering, so
that the same shall come in direct contact with the floor of the demised
premises, and, if linoleum or other similar floor covering is desired to be used
an interlining of builder's deadening felt shall be first affixed to the floor,
by a paste or other material, soluble in water, the use of cement or other
similar adhesive material being expressly prohibited.

         7. Freight, furniture, business equipment, merchandise and bulky matter
of any description shall be delivered to and removed from the premises only on
the freight elevators and through the service entrances and corridors, and only
during hours and in a manner approved by Owner. Owner reserves the right to
inspect all freight to be brought into the building and to exclude from the
building all freight which violates an of these Rules and Regulations of the
lease of which these Rules and Regulations are a part.

         8. No Tenant shall obtain for use upon the demised premises ice,
drinking water, towel and other similar services, or accept barbering or
bootblacking services in the demised premises, except from persons authorized by
Owner, and at hours and under regulations fixed by Owner. Canvassing, soliciting
and peddling is prohibited and each Tenant shall cooperate to prevent the same.

         9. Owner reserves the right to exclude from the building all persons
who do not present a pass to the building signed by Owner. Owner will furnish
passes to persons for whom any Tenant requests same in writing. Each Tenant
shall be responsible for all persons for whom he requests such pass and shall be
liable to Owner for all acts of such persons. Tenant shall not


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<PAGE>   16
have a claim against Owner by reason of Owner excluding from the building any
person who does not present such pass.


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<PAGE>   17
                            INSERTS TO THE FORM LEASE
                                     BETWEEN
                      601 WEST ASSOCIATES LLC, AS LANDLORD,
                                       AND
                 MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA LLC, AS TENANT

1.    as well as any other

2.    reasonably

3.    ("Laws")

4.    if same arise out of the Americans With Disabilities Act or out of current
      or future Laws regarding fire or life and safety systems or

5.    same arise out of the Americans With Disabilities Act or out of current or
      future Laws regarding fire or life and safety systems or

6.    reasonable

7.    to the structure of the Premises and any of Landlord's Work

8.    and any of Landlord's Work

9.    If there is a fire or other casualty which causes damage or destruction to
      the Building, in whole or in part, whereby Tenant is unable to occupy or
      gain access to all of the Premises, Tenant may, in writing delivered to
      Landlord within sixty (60) days after the damage or destruction, terminate
      the Lease as of the date of the damage or destruction, provided that in
      Landlord's reasonable estimate, given in writing by Landlord to Tenant
      within fifty (50) days, the repair, replacement, restoration or renewal
      would likely require more than nine (9) months to substantially complete
      or if the damage or destruction occurs within the final twenty-four (24)
      months of the lease term. If Tenant does not give the notice within said
      sixty (60) day period, or if in Landlord's reasonable estimate the repair,
      replacement, restoration or renewal will not likely require more than nine
      (9) months to substantially complete, this Lease shall not terminate; but
      if the repairs and restoration are not substantially complete within nine
      (9) months after the damage or destruction occurred, Tenant shall have
      thirty (30) days after the end of such nine (9) month period to give
      notice to Landlord that will terminate the Lease upon its receipt;
      provided, however, that if the repairs and restorations are substantially
      completed within the said sixty (60) day notice period, the termination of
      this Lease shall be void ab initio, and this Lease shall continue in full
      force and effect.

10.   , on reasonable notice,

11.   Landlord agrees to make reasonable efforts to minimize interference with
      the operation of Tenant's business during the performance of such work.

12.   against the Building

13.   Landlord shall repair the condition giving rise to any violation placed
      against the Premises (but not the Building) prior to the Commencement
      Date.

14.   In Article 17 (1), all references to "fifteen (15) days" are changed to
      "twenty (20) days."

15.   after five (5) business days' written notice to Tenant specifying the
      nature of such default and upon the expiration of said five (5) business
      days, if Tenant shall have failed to remedy such default,

16.   Owner shall use reasonable efforts to re-let the Premises.

17.   cure
<PAGE>   18
18.   Provided that Tenant shall have reasonable access to the Premises through
      the lobby at all times,

19.   either Owner or Tenant

20.   ninety (90) days

21.   Landlord agrees to enforce the Rules and Regulations in a
      non-discriminatory manner.






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