How NYC Landlords Are Attracting Workers Back to Offices: Pickleball, Golf Simulators, Arcade Games, and Gourmet Food Offerings
In a city where office vacancies have reached a record high of 21%, commercial landlords in New York City are going above and beyond to entice tenants and their work-from-home-loving employees back to the office. Gone are the days of boring office buildings with little-to-no amenities. Landlords are now offering unprecedented perks and amenities to create a more enjoyable and engaging work environment.
One World Trade Center, owned by The Durst Organization, has successfully attracted tenants with its impressive amenities package known as Well& By Durst. The tower features a 64th-floor Sky Lobby complete with a showpiece pool table, lounges, and snack bars for big-name tenants such as Conde Nast. The success of this amenities package has prompted The Durst Organization to introduce similar offerings in their other properties.
At 425 Park Avenue, tenants have the opportunity to indulge in Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s fine fare at various venues within the building. High-end occupants, such as Citadel, even have access to a secret menu at Vongerichten’s restaurant Four Twenty Five. In addition to gourmet food offerings, the building also features a triple-height, 26th-floor venue called the Diagrid Club, which includes private “transcendental meditation” rooms and outdoor terraces. These amenities are highly sought after by tenants paying premium rents.
Marx Realty has transformed 10 Grand Central, previously known as 708 Third Avenue, into a vibrant and exciting workspace. With an investment of $45 million, the building now boasts a new lobby, cozy lounge areas, landscaped terraces, and even serve-yourself ice cream machines. The highlight of the transformation is a 7,500 square-foot indoor-outdoor lounge that hosts private live concerts for tenants at the end of their workday. Tenants such as Seven Bucks Productions and financial firms Merchants Bancorp and DIF Capital Partners can enjoy these live performances.
SL Green has invested a staggering $2.3 billion to redesign and enlarge a classic 19th-century office building at Madison Avenue and East 23rd Street. To make the property competitive with other major re-developments, SL Green has partnered with renowned chef Daniel Boulud to launch a public steakhouse, a grab-and-go cafe, and a bar exclusively for future tenants. However, the real gem of the building is a 5,100 square-foot outdoor rooftop terrace that offers breathtaking views of Madison Square Park.
The Seagram Building at 375 Park Avenue has created a sporty paradise for its tenants. The Playground, a $25 million recreational complex located beneath the building’s plaza, offers facilities for pickleball, basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, pilates, and even a rock-climbing wall. Private equity firm Advent International, Brant Point Capital Management, and Spanish law firm Perez-Llorca are among the lucky tenants who have access to these amenities.
Larry Silverstein’s 120 Broadway has transformed an entire floor into a theme park reminiscent of different eras. The “time capsule” floor features an arcade with 1980s-style video games, a secret bar hidden behind murals by acclaimed Japanese street artist Lady Aiko, and even a whimsical 1940s detective’s office. Tenants can also enjoy yoga rooms, shuffleboard, and a pool table. The building’s top-floor Bankers Club, once a private restaurant, is now open to all tenants and offers access to a rooftop lounge.
Rockefeller Center has created a hidden oasis for tenants in the original landmarked complex. Radio Park, located on the roof of Radio City Music Hall, is a serene 24,000-square-foot green space that offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city streets. While it is sometimes used for programmed events, the park is usually open to all tenants. Celebrities from shows like “SNL” and “The Tonight Show” have been spotted enjoying the park during their breaks.
At 590 Madison Avenue, IBM is leaving behind a parting gift for its soon-to-be-former building. The third-floor corporate cafeteria is being converted into a 25,000 square-foot fun floor designed by architectural firm Gensler. The space will feature food service, entertainment spaces, and golf simulators. Additionally, a recently unveiled outdoor roof deck on the fourth floor provides tenants with a central location to take in the vibrant lights of Midtown Manhattan.
In a competitive market where office vacancies are at an all-time high, NYC landlords are going above and beyond to attract tenants and their employees back to the office. Amenities such as gourmet food offerings, recreational facilities, live concerts, and hidden oases provide a compelling reason for companies to choose these buildings as their new workplace. As the demand for unique and engaging office environments continues to grow, landlords are stepping up their game to ensure their properties stand out in the market.
