News
SUITE SPOTS!
May 27, 2009
Executive office suites are a popular European concept for those wanting to start up or incubate in affordable space. Although the US has such space, it's still relatively unknown, say two companies trying to get them on tenants' radars with new concepts. We stopped by Wurk Environments' space at 1515 Broadway and SL Green's eEmerge space at 440 Ninth and 28 W. 44th to find out more. |
We met with Wurk's Joseph Detrano, Michell Smith, and the camera-shy Gorguin Shaikoli, who took us around the two-floor, 65k-SF hospitality-heavy designed space, which it's marketing to service, tech, creative, boutique and other firms. Joseph says execs accustomed to Park Avenue and Wall Street space are used to upscale amenities, and moving to Class B makes going on your own that much harder. Wurk included familiar features like cafes and meeting/networking rooms from a time when "9 to 5 wasn't a death sentence." |
Michell shows off space that can be used for meetings, networking, and other events. Right now, Wurk's 1515 space is 70% occupied with tenants that range from hedge funds to creative offshoots, typically leasing the space from six months to a year. Tenants can also request specific build-out options. And its location near Times Square and Viacom has made it especially attractive to entertainment firms, temporary film staffs, and even a few high-profile celebrities (but unlike Page Six, Wurk doesn't dish). |
Its January launch at 1515 was so successful, they say, that Wurk plans to open another location in NYC in '09, so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, it has partnered with Germany's Excellent Business Centers, allowing Excellent's tenants to lease flex space at 1515. Wurk tenants can then reciprocally operate at any one of Excellent's 32 centers throughout Germany. |