New York, New York – it’s a helluva town; The Bronx is up, and the Battery’s down. And let’s not even get started on Brooklyn, which encompasses over 95 square miles in and of itself. So with five boroughs and countless neighborhoods to choose from, how do you go about choosing the best neighborhood to rent in NYC for your executive office space?
Of course, much depends on what kind of business you run. The office space needs of a lawyer or an accountant, for instance, are different from those of an online retailer or a graphic designer. But in general, today’s executives, entrepreneurs and small business owners should be mindful of the following factors when choosing a top neighborhood in New York City in which to launch or grow their business:
Getting There is Half the Fun (Or Should Be)
No matter what kind of business you’re in, your life and the lives of your employees and clients will be infinitely improved by a direct, hassle-free commute – which can be easier said than done in a city like New York. So choose a location with as many mass transit options as possible, keeping in mind that NYC weather can be wildly unpredictable. If your office is easy to get to by subway, bus, taxi or on foot, you’re way ahead of the game. And if there’s on-site parking available, so much the better. So, for example, you’re probably not going to do better for an executive office location than Midtown Manhattan, which is notably one of the top neighborhoods in NYC.
The Prestige Factor
The neighborhood around your NYC office space says a lot about your business. If it’s a run-down, depressed area, it’s going to project a negative image and make potential clients question whether they should do business with you. But if you choose a bustling, professional neighborhood filled with other thriving businesses, you’ll look like a winner – especially if you choose a sleek, modern, upscale office building in which to rent your office space. Remember: Image isn’t everything, but it’s a major factor in business.
Affordability and Flexibility
Is the executive office space within your budget? And does the building owner offer flexible term leases? Both of these are essential questions to ask before renting an executive suite. Obviously, you want the nicest, more upscale office your business can afford, and you also want the freedom to change or cancel your lease if necessary. So make sure you find out this information when looking at the location.
Safety First
This one is extremely important for both employees and clients. New York is currently one of the safest large cities in America, but there are still some dicey areas you’ll want to avoid, especially after dark. So choose a neighborhood that’s well lit, with plenty of sidewalk traffic and a reputation for being a low-crime area. Also, and this is essential: Choose a building for your executive office that offer 24-hour security. All visitors should be checked in and identified in the lobby, and the building should be equipped with high-tech security measures, such as cameras, in all public areas. You can’t put a price on the peace of mind and body such security offers.
Eat, Shop, Enjoy, Repeat
This one should be obvious, but people often neglect looking around the neighborhood ahead of time to see if there’s a variety of good retail and service options near one’s executive office. You’re going to want first-rate places to lunch, both with your colleagues and clients, so check out the restaurants in the area. And what about shops at which you’ll want to run quick errands on the way to and from work, such as dry cleaners, food markets and health food stores? And what about after-hours activities, like concerts, plays, musicals and movies? These aren’t merely important for recreation; entertaining clients may very well be essential to your business. For this reason, placing your executive office in the heart of the Theater District, for example, may be a very smart choice.
So those are the basics for choosing the best neighborhood to rent in NYC for your executive office suites. For further reading on this topic, check out this article on Entrepreneur.com. And if Manhattan’s West 40s seem like the perfect spot, come give us a look at Edison Offices Executive Suites. We think you’ll find we hit the spot – quite literally.
