77 West 55th Street

Everybody has seen movies or TV Series, where the main character is inhabiting a big apartment with high ceilings with red brick walls and a dedicated elevator to reach the apartment. The main character is looking from the windows where he sees an industrial area and skyscrapers in the background.
Such properties are defined as lofts and it is true that artists made them famous and wanted. The economic downturn in the 1960s left many industrial spaces (factories, warehouses, slaughterhouses) abandoned and derelict. As they were concentrated on certain areas of New York, whole neighbourhoods became ghost cities where no one was working or living. It was at that time, when artists found inspiration in those abandoned places and made them their studios where art was created. In fact, this conversion is something quintessential for New York on par with the Empire State Building or Central Park.

Commercial loft for lease in New York City

What makes the loft different from other property classes is exactly its former purpose – being an industrial building. High ceilings, big window openings to get as much natural light as possible, wide open spaces, dedicated elevators, brick walls and visible elements of plumbing or heating and ventilation are among the characteristic of a loft.
Interestingly enough – such properties are finding new fans among businesses who use them for commercial purpose.
Engineering and tech companies, Startups and art-related businesses (Marketing, PR, Ads) are the likely tenants for such properties, where they find back the inspiration of an old factory design to fuel their innovation and creative processes. Most of the buildings have been updated to current technical standards, but the main visual elements of the infrastructure have remained visible.

Loft spaces for commercial use can be found on many areas in New York.

Manhattan has its lofts located around SoHo and Tribeca, and some in Flatiron District, the Garment District, Meatpacking District and Chelsea. Given the premium location, you can expect leasing rate to be higher than average.
Affordable commercial lofts can be found in the former industrial areas of New York such as Red Hook, Williamsburg and Bushwick in Brooklyn. Queens has its lofts in Long Island City and Astoria.
Leasing rates of commercial lofts are typically lower than the rates of classical office space and this makes them also attractive on the market. A recent offer for a commercial loft on West 25th Street (close to Midtown) asks between $50 and $65 per square feet depending on the floor.
Being on a budget – you can have commercial lofts for rent with asking rates around $27 to $40 in Brooklyn and or Staten Island.

Commercial loft for sale in New York

Opportunities for commercial lofts for sale and not a lot, since they are an area of big interest and businesses are competing also with private investors, who are looking for deals for refurbishing lofts in order to increase their market value. Offers are available in wide ranges – starting from $1 million all the way up to $40 million for properties in lower Manhattan.