15 Coolest Offices in NYC
If you're looking to inject some inspiration into your workday, NYC's vibrant office scene has more than a few tricks up its sleeve. From open-plan spaces with stunning city views to quirky, themed work environments, the Big Apple's offices are pushing the boundaries of traditional workspace design. Let's dive into some of the coolest offices New York has to offer.
Kicking off our list is a space where the city that never sleeps meets a child's whimsy dream - Google's New York City headquarters. Spread across three floors, the office is a playground for adults, featuring themed meeting rooms like a two-story treehouse, a vintage pinball arcade, and abidden-book nook. The pièce de résistance? A slide connecting two floors – because who needs stairs when you can whoosh your way down?
Creativity Meets Functionality
Google is a prime example of how playfulness can fuel productivity, but not all workspace marvels need to mimic a carnival to impress. Some of NYC's coolest offices focus on creating spaces that effortlessly blend work and play, with an emphasis on natural light, open layouts, and multifunctional areas.
Take miroir, a digital marketing studio, for example. Their Soho-based office is part-cozy apartment, part-high-tech workspace, complete with a kitchen, living room, and even a rooftop terrace. By blurring the lines between home and office, mirroror has created an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and – let's face it – a serious case of workplace envy.
Open-Plan Wonders
Open-plan offices have their critics, but when done well, they can inspire connection and communication. Andree Boubekeur, a New York-based architecture and design studio, has mastered the art of open-plan layout. Their office, housed in a former warehouse, features sleek white lines and a soaring ceiling that emphasizes the vast, communal workspace. With ample breakout areas and a central meeting table that seats 20, it's the perfect balance of communal and focused working.
For another take on the open-plan office, look no further than the trippy, color-splashed space occupied by design agency Happy Cog. The office is a living, breathing showcase of their design capabilities, with dynamic walls that showcase their portfolio, meeting rooms with custom-designed murals, and even a charitable give-back wall that donates profits to various causes.
Unique Concepts
Sometimes, a unique concept is all it takes to turn an office into a place where people truly want to be. For proof, look at the Rise New York coworking space in Harlem. Part creative hub, part multi-purpose event space, Rise is home to artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are passionate about community engagement. With a rooftop art gallery, performance space, and outdoor movie screen, it's not just a place to work – it's a place to belong.
At the other end of the spectrum lies the playful, color-soaked world of The Wing, a women-focused coworking space. With hitting-the-book borrowing libraries, lactation rooms, and even a pt (yes, you read that right), The Wing offers much more than just a desk and a chair. Its vibrant, Instagram-worthy interiors and relentless commitment to community building make it one of NYC's most unique and inspiring workspaces.
Modern فيت Quang Presence
As New York's tech scene continues to boom, it's no surprise that some of the city's coolest offices belong to its hottest startups. Take away game-making giant Zynga's sprawling office in Midtown Manhattan – a space that's as energetic as the games they create. With a vibrant game room, yoga studio, and a fully-stocked kitchen, it's no wonder that Zynga's NYC office has been recognized as one of the best places to work in the city.
Another tech darling, Etsy, is making waves with its Brooklyn-based headquarters. The e-commerce platform prioritizes sustainability in its workplace design, with an office that boasts reclaimed wood furniture, energy-efficient lighting, and even a greenhouse filled with plants. It's a workplace that's not just cool – it's responsible, too.
Green Spaces
Speaking of responsible, many of NYC's coolest offices are leading the way in sustainable design. One such example is the office of architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF). Their workspace, designed by the firm's own principals, features floor-to-ceiling windows that maximize natural light, numerous green spaces, and even an internal garden court that joins two wings of the office together.
For a more unexpected take on green space, check out the office of Patagonia, the outdoor clothing and gear brand. While it might not have an actual garden, the space is filled with lush greenery, along with high-end reclaimed materials, and even a tiny house perched on the roof for employees to relax in. It's a workspace that proves you don't need to compromise your values to have a cool office.
As this whistle-stop tour of NYC's coolest offices shows, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to creating a workspace that inspires, delights, and motivates. From playful, themed spaces to sustainable, eco-friendly havens, the possibilities are truly endless. So if you're thinking about giving your office a makeover, why not take a leaf out of these amazing spaces' books and unleash your creativity? After all, life's too short to work in a place that doesn't make you smile.