Vantone on the Hunt

Two days after giving up on five floors it had hoped to lease at 7 World Trade Center, the Beijing-based Vantone real estate firm was on the hunt today for another location for its China Center, a mini-office center and gathering place for Chinese firms looking to break into the U.S. market. "They were looking at several places in Midtown and downtown, for rental or acquisition," said Kathy Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City and a Vantone ally. The Freedom Tower, which is where Larry Silverstein wanted Vantone to go (after canceling its lease at 7 WTC), is not in the picture, Wylde said, because it would not be ready in time. -Matthew Schuerman