For the first time, Crain’s New York is highlighting a handful of the coolest offices in New York City. Editors combed through dozens of submissions and hundreds of photos gathered through an online survey. Aesthetics, of course, played an important role in the open-ended competition, but so did factors such as innovation and functionality. These five Manhattan spaces not only look sharp, but they are also outfitted to inspire teamwork and house a diverse range of companies.
Gensler
1700 Broadway
Gensler, which topped Crain’s most recent list of New York’s largest architecture firms, designed its office to match its standing in the city. The New York outpost of the San Francisco–based company is across from the Ed Sullivan Theater and echoes the showtime theme. The focal point is a 20-foot Broadway marquee–style sign in the well of a 5-story wood staircase, around which numerous conference rooms and common areas are arrayed. And because the firm specializes in interior design, Gensler houses a design center with hundreds of samples and reference materials.
Itochu International Inc.
1251 Sixth Ave.
The North American arm of a Japanese trading corporation, Itochu International has spent a century in Manhattan. In moving from 335 Madison Ave. to this Rockefeller Center building in August 2016, Itochu aimed to step away from its enclosed office environment of years past. Marner Architecture plotted an open floor plan with 12-foot ceilings to create widespread access to natural light. Paper lanterns add Japanese accents to a large collaboration space stocked with snacks.
The Shop East at VSP Global
8 W. 40th St.
VSP, the largest vision insurance company in the U.S., has a new Bryant Park office for The Shop—the innovation lab that seeks to develop technologies to improve eye care and accessories. The 13,500-square-foot office, planned by Kostow Greenwood Architects, showcases the construction of this early 1900s commercial loft. Two floors are connected via a spiral staircase. The space is outfitted with an array of tools so employees can be hands-on in designing eyewear, and storage trays are in a cabinet-lined library for easy access to eyeglass molds.
IPG UM
100 W. 33rd St.
IPG UM, a media subsidiary of Big Four advertising agency Interpublic Group of Cos., opened this 100,000-square-foot office late last year. The space features a screening room and distinct “neighborhoods,” each with a unique theme. The cloud room has sky blue walls, white couches and orb-shaped pendant lamps; the Coca-Cola room has a red-and-white bubble design on the walls and, fittingly, a vending machine. The Ted Moudis Associates–designed space facilitates all kinds of collaboration among employees.
Nixon Peabody
55 W. 46th St.
Above all else, one thing might stick out in a visit to the New York offices of this Global 100 law firm: the unbelievable views from more than 20 stories up in its 11-month-old Midtown office. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a 360-degree view of the cityscape, and glass walls allow sunlight to permeate the Perkins & Will–planned digs. The company also has used its space to break down traditional hierarchal barriers. Corner offices have been eschewed in favor of meeting rooms outfitted with standing desks, and collaboration rooms are scattered throughout to encourage lawyers across disciplines to brainstorm.
↓ DOWNLOAD PDFFor the first time, Crain’s New York is highlighting a handful of the coolest offices in New York City. Editors combed through dozens of submissions and hundreds of photos gathered through an online survey. Aesthetics, of course, played an important role in the open-ended competition, but so did factors such as innovation and functionality. These five Manhattan spaces not only look sharp, but they are also outfitted to inspire teamwork and house a diverse range of companies.
Gensler
1700 Broadway
Gensler, which topped Crain’s most recent list of New York’s largest architecture firms, designed its office to match its standing in the city. The New York outpost of the San Francisco–based company is across from the Ed Sullivan Theater and echoes the showtime theme. The focal point is a 20-foot Broadway marquee–style sign in the well of a 5-story wood staircase, around which numerous conference rooms and common areas are arrayed. And because the firm specializes in interior design, Gensler houses a design center with hundreds of samples and reference materials.
Itochu International Inc.
1251 Sixth Ave.
The North American arm of a Japanese trading corporation, Itochu International has spent a century in Manhattan. In moving from 335 Madison Ave. to this Rockefeller Center building in August 2016, Itochu aimed to step away from its enclosed office environment of years past. Marner Architecture plotted an open floor plan with 12-foot ceilings to create widespread access to natural light. Paper lanterns add Japanese accents to a large collaboration space stocked with snacks.
The Shop East at VSP Global
8 W. 40th St.
VSP, the largest vision insurance company in the U.S., has a new Bryant Park office for The Shop—the innovation lab that seeks to develop technologies to improve eye care and accessories. The 13,500-square-foot office, planned by Kostow Greenwood Architects, showcases the construction of this early 1900s commercial loft. Two floors are connected via a spiral staircase. The space is outfitted with an array of tools so employees can be hands-on in designing eyewear, and storage trays are in a cabinet-lined library for easy access to eyeglass molds.
IPG UM
100 W. 33rd St.
IPG UM, a media subsidiary of Big Four advertising agency Interpublic Group of Cos., opened this 100,000-square-foot office late last year. The space features a screening room and distinct “neighborhoods,” each with a unique theme. The cloud room has sky blue walls, white couches and orb-shaped pendant lamps; the Coca-Cola room has a red-and-white bubble design on the walls and, fittingly, a vending machine. The Ted Moudis Associates–designed space facilitates all kinds of collaboration among employees.
Nixon Peabody
55 W. 46th St.
Above all else, one thing might stick out in a visit to the New York offices of this Global 100 law firm: the unbelievable views from more than 20 stories up in its 11-month-old Midtown office. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a 360-degree view of the cityscape, and glass walls allow sunlight to permeate the Perkins & Will–planned digs. The company also has used its space to break down traditional hierarchal barriers. Corner offices have been eschewed in favor of meeting rooms outfitted with standing desks, and collaboration rooms are scattered throughout to encourage lawyers across disciplines to brainstorm.
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