BY ARIEL HERNANDEZ
Staff Writer
Estée Lauder—a global beauty brand—will close one of its Long Island locations and relocate its information technology (IT) workers to Long Island City.
Currently, Estée Lauder operates out of three locations in Melville and has approximately 1,700 workers. However, the leases of all Melville locations will soon expire, but only the 145 and 155 Greenway Plaza leases will be renewed. The company will relocate less than 10 percent of the workers at the third location to the company’s newly rented space at 1 Queens Plaza North.
“Estée Lauder has had a longstanding presence on Long Island for more than 50 years and remains deeply committed to its operations in Melville,” the company released in a statement to the public. “We are investing in the revitalization, beautification, ergonomics and environmental health and safety of our buildings.”
The main factory, which is home to the company’s research and development, manufacturing and finance, will remain open as it accounts for approximately 20 percent of the company’s production of fragrances and skin care products.
However, a number of Estée Lauder’s IT workers will make the new Long Island City technology hub their home.
“Long Island City is a growing hub for startups, tech and digital companies, and our team will greatly benefit from being at the center of this fast-paced and vibrant environment,” Chief Operating Officer Michael Smith said in a memo to the company’s employees that was reported by Newsday. “We are continuing to make important investments to further innovate our Melville campus.”
The new Long Island City location is expected to open in July.
The Queens Tribune reached out to Estée Lauder but did not get a response by press time.
