The surrounding block had decayed by the early 1960s, but many of the old theater buildings from the block's heyday remained, as did the Candler Building. Kestenberg sold the building in 1966 to a group led by Charles F. Noyes; the sale was subject to a first mortgage of $1.35 million. Noyes's syndicate planned to spend $600,000 to clean the facade, renovate the lobby, and add new elevators as part of a six-month project. Newmark & Company was hired as the building's leasing agent. Newmark began advertising the rear wing at 221 West 41st Street to garment firms in 1968, attracting firms such as the Ellen Tracy Blouse Corporation. By the late 1960s, the main tower at 220 West 42nd Street primarily housed entertainment tenants such as Allied Artists International and the Jewish Broadcasting Service. The building's tenants also included detective firms, dental-equipment manufacturers, and publishers' representatives.
