New York City & Brooklyn Office Space Spotlight
Looking for office space in NYC or Brooklyn can be difficult due to the vast range of options on the market. To get started on your search, first determine your... Read More
6 ways to save $$$ on your office space.
Learn more >May 1, 2017 | by Melissa Landon
Reviewed by real estate expert Jonathan Tootell
Updated May, 2018
Business owners looking for office space in Brooklyn should consider working out of DUMBO. The neighborhood initially served as a ferry landing and was marked with industrial and warehouse buildings but has grown to house a variety of businesses—startups and more established businesses alike.
Without further ado, here are four reasons DUMBO is a prime neighborhood to focus on when searching for office space in New York.
Likely the first question you ask about any given office space is, “Where is it?” Even the most spacious office space with the best amenities becomes vastly less attractive if it’s not situated in a good area. DUMBO borders Brooklyn Bridge Park to the north, the Brooklyn Bridge to the west, Brooklyn Heights to the south, and Vinegar Hill to the east. Nearby neighborhoods include Vinegar Hill, Navy Yard, Downtown Brooklyn, and Waterfront. Several factors make DUMBO an ideal setting for your growing company.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Donahue Photography
DUMBO is unique because it’s equally attractive to both larger companies and startups. It houses plenty of big-name companies but also features a creative melting pot for new ideas and ventures.
DUMBO is short for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”; this naming phenomenon is known as portmanteaus, or a linguistic blend of words. Other NYC neighborhoods are named this way, too, such as Brooklyn’s BoCoCa and Manhattan’s SoHo and NoHo.
DUMBO isn’t just a bland division of cookie-cutter office buildings and nothing else of interest. Instead, it’s full of beautiful views, cobblestone streets, interesting shops, and high-rise apartments. Your direct reports will love living and/or working in this bustling neighborhood. Here are just a few of its important features: food, coffee, and opportunities to build community.
DUMBO can’t really be called up-and-coming anymore. Though it’s still growing and changing, it’s made great strides to be a great place to live and work. Learning about DUMBO’s rich historical background can help assure office space seekers that the neighborhood has been heading in the right direction for a long time.
The area used to be known as Gairsville because Robert Gair became famous in the area for inventing the cardboard box. DUMBO began as a ferry landing dotted with 19th- and early 20th century industrial and warehouse buildings. When Two Trees Management owner David Walentas bought the area in the 20th century, he made DUMBO into a residential community, where mostly students and artists began to live. It morphed into a commercial community that became a popular location for technology startups.
Those interested in DUMBO history should venture to the DUMBO Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
If you decide DUMBO is the right place for your business, it’s time to start looking at available office spaces. Maybe you’re weighing the pros and cons of leasing vs. subleasing or trying to decide which neighborhood is best for you. One of our experienced brokers would be happy to answer all your questions and help determine the best options for you and your company.
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