Murray Hill is an under-the-radar, down-to-earth district in Midtown that over the last couple decades has become the go-to neighborhood for post-grads seeking affordable rent and convenient access to transportation around Manhattan. The side streets are lined with rows of brownstones and landmark buildings, while newer residential buildings have risen between First and Third Avenue.
With the surplus of salons, fitness studios, and spas that thrive off the young population, Murray Hill could be an ideal location for any company looking to attract young employees or customers. Startups and small companies seeking Midtown East office space will find the lower prices of Murray Hill very attractive.
Murray Hill Office Space | Lease Data & Trends
Despite increasing costs as more residential development occurs and demand for the area increases, Murray Hill remains very affordable. Commercial tenants pay an average price-per-square-foot of around $59 for all classes and $64 for Class A buildings, compared to the Midtown averages of $77 and $84.
Murray Hill’s has more than 14 million square feet in commercial real estate inventory with a vacancy rate of 7.2%, the second lowest in Midtown. No commercial real estate is currently under construction according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Q4 2017 report.
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Murray Hill has immediate access to a hiring pool of hard-working talent due to its steady population of young professionals. With Grand Central Station within walking distance, Murray Hill is also an ideal location for companies with employees around the city and in the northern suburbs.
The proximity of the United Nations Headquarters has led to many embassies, consulates, and permanent missions to the U.N. settling within Murray Hill, often located within the historic mansions to the west of Third Avenue. Companies with global or international interests should consider office space in Murray Hill if being near to the U.N. Headquarters is a priority.
Murray Hill also attracts a variety of medical and financial service organizations. Non-profits are prevalent in the area as well and benefit from the lower rent for office space. A few notable tenants include Morgan Stanley, HSN, Manhattan Wellness Group, MedXwaste, L3 Technologies, Sumitomo Corporation, Pajama Program, Misys, and Honest Mail.
Getting Around Murray Hill
Murray Hill is the 19th most walkable neighborhood in New York City according to Walk Score, and many residents walk to work. The district is decent for biking, with the East Side bike path along the river, protected bike lanes on First and Second Avenues, and a handful of CitiBike stations.
Grand Central Terminal resides at the northwest corner of Murray Hill, and services the area with the Metro-North Railroad, subway lines 4, 5, 6, 7, and S, and multiple bus lines. The N and W trains are only a few blocks west.
Drivers will find it easy (as easy as driving in Manhattan can be) to access the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and Queensboro Bridge to Long Island City, and commuters also have access to the East 34th Street ferry stop.
Nearby districts include Gramercy, Flatiron, NoMad, Plaza District, Park Avenue, Fifth-Madison, and the Upper East Side.
Murray Hill Neighborhood & History
Named after an 18th century family of Quaker merchants, Murray Hill was once considered Uptown Manhattan and its rows of brownstones and mansions were filled with wealthy and upper-middle-class families. Murray Hill still possesses old New York City charm from that era, now with more lively and youthful energy.
Locals and daytime workers enjoy the affordable dining and bar scene Murray Hill has to offer. Favorite spots include Sons of Thunder, Gingerman, Bareburger, and Cask Bar & Kitchen. Our team recommends exploring Curry Hill, a cluster of highly rated Indian restaurants including Dhaba, Muglahi Indian Cuisine, Darbar, and Deli Galli.