As Manhattan evolves, so are loft-style law firm office spaces. Lawyers, once occupying traditional commercial buildings, are now gravitating towards more creative settings. Many traditional buildings have adapted accordingly, morphing staid offices into modern, loft-style spaces. Drop ceilings have given way to concrete or hardwood floors, blending past and present aesthetics.
This article examines this contemporary trend, spotlighting three NYC neighborhoods that exemplify this shift. With these office spaces blending old and new, law firms have a fresh, creative feel while retaining their professional essence.
Points to Consider When Hunting for Law Firm Office Space
Manhattan, long the epitome of traditional office space, is evolving. However, the overall requirements for lawyers in their search for office space remain the same despite the shift from traditional office spaces to loft-style ones. So before exploring the three neighborhoods with hip, loft-style law firm office space, let’s first discuss the particular amenities they need.
Key Considerations
First are the essentials and key considerations for law office space in NYC:
- An easily accessible location offering multiple transportation options for clients
- Enhanced building security, ensuring peace of mind for high-profile clients and staff
- Convenient parking options for both clients and staff
- Superior connectivity options, accommodating high-speed internet and reliable VoIP services
- Quality building infrastructure, including efficient elevators and appealing lobbies
- A professional reception area to leave a positive first impression
- Adequate private offices for client consultations and partner meetings
- Multipurpose conference rooms for a variety of legal proceedings
- Soundproof construction, guaranteeing client confidentiality
Valuing Privacy Over Open Space
Law firms prioritize privacy and comfort, given the sensitive nature of their work. A diverse range of room sizes is vital, catering to varying client needs.
Aesthetics Matter
Aesthetics also matter. Quirky, vibrant interiors might suit an advertising agency or a tech startup. In contrast, most law firms favor a more subdued, professional environment. It radiates trust, tradition, and dependability, vital qualities in the legal world.
A Shift Towards Loft-Style Offices
Traditionally, law and accounting firms leaned towards classic office spaces, often with drop ceilings. However, a noticeable shift has happened over the last decade, with a growing preference for loft-style offices. The demand has spurred landlords into action, upgrading buildings to offer loft-like aesthetics while retaining the comforts of traditional spaces. Examples include the Graybar Building, One Grand Central Place, and 370 Lexington Avenue. They now flaunt polished concrete floors and open spaces, blending the best of both styles for an efficient, appealing workspace.
Top 3 Manhattan Neighborhoods for Loft-Style Law Firm Office Space
Are you looking to lease loft-style office space for your law firm? You’re not alone. Many modern law firms share your vision, appreciating the blend of sophistication and style a loft-style space offers.
Finding the ideal neighborhood is key. The perfect spot combines accessible public transit, walkability, and scenic views. Add a range of nearby dining options and meeting spaces to this, and you’ve got a winning combination. Let’s explore three neighborhoods encapsulating these features, making them top choices for law firms.
1. Grand Central
A revival is underway in Grand Central, with older buildings removing drop ceilings to create loft-like spaces with exposed ceilings.
For instance, the prestigious law firm, Greenberg Traurig, has offices in the renovated MetLife Building at 200 Park Avenue, and in the modern One Vanderbilt, across from Grand Central Terminal. One Vanderbilt has 14′ ceilings and has contemporary architecture, but the high ceilings provide a sense of volume typical of loft space.
Yet, Grand Central has many other impressive buildings with loft-style space for law firms, such as 370 Lexington. 370 Lexington boasts exposed ceilings, concrete floors, and glass-walled build-outs as standard features. There’s a reason why Graubard & Blumenfield, PC, lease the 27th floor, and Greenberg Law P.C. calls the 11th floor home. Furthermore, the owners have updated One Grand Central Space at 60 East 42nd Street to create a modern atmosphere, which includes exposed drop ceilings.
2. Penn Station/The Garment District
Previously an industrial design core, the Garment District offers a blend of modern and loft-style law firm office spaces featuring exposed brick, hardwood floors, and an industrial-chic design.
450 Seventh Avenue, the Nelson Tower, is an appealing choice for law firms. Its prime location, across from Penn Station, and panoramic views from the upper floors have attracted firms such as Braverman Law and David Resnick & Associates. There’s also 366 Fifth Avenue. The former showroom building has office space with 13′ ceiling heights.
For budget-conscious firms, 42 West 38th Street and 55 West 39th Street offer excellent options. Alternatively, for Class A office space, the iconic Empire State Building or Vornado’s One Penn Plaza provides loft-style interiors with direct Penn Station access. Buildings like 350 Seventh Avenue and 545 Eighth Avenue, former factory properties, continue the loft trend, offering a unique blend of history and modernity.
3. City Hall
Steeped in historical importance, City Hall is a hub for legal firms. An office here offers a significant time advantage for lawyers due to its proximity to the City Hall, Civil Court, and Federal Court. Especially for litigation firms, it’s an unbeatable location.
Consider a building like 15 Maiden Lane. This Downtown Manhattan loft-style haven has soaring 12-foot ceilings, oversized windows that flood the room with light, concrete floors, original tiles, and artwork throughout.There’s a reason why law firms like Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP and Friedman, James & Buchsbaum LLP lease space here.
Close by also lies the Transportation Building at 225 Broadway. It offers offers loft space with 11′ exposed ceilings and houses a roster of law firms, including CMA Law Group, Golub & Golub, and Rosenthal Law & Mediation. Yet another great choice is 299 Broadway, the Ungar Building, accommodating law tenants like Hess & Leibowitz and Farber Law.
Furthermore, across the street lies the famous Woolworth Building at 233 Broadway. While not known explicitly as a loft building, over the years it’s removed drop ceilings to create a loft-like feel. With nearly 900,000 square feet of Class A office space it houses esteemed law tenants like Housenbold and the Law Office of Bhunka O. Goldstein.
The Key Takeaway
Finding the ideal loft-style law firm office space in Manhattan involves considering many elements. Each aspect is important, whether it is a central location, key amenities, privacy, aesthetics, or a shift towards a modern, loft-style approach. Key Manhattan neighborhoods like Grand Central, the Garment District, and City Hall offer a blend of these elements, making them the top choices. Remember, office space is more than just a physical place – it’s a statement of your law firm’s identity and professionalism.
Are you looking for office space for your law firm in Manhattan? Call Metro Manhattan at (212) 444-2241 or email us at [email protected] to learn about available office spaces.
