Union Square Office Space For Lease

Union Square office space sits at one of Manhattan’s most recognizable intersections, where Broadway, Fourth Avenue, and 14th Street meet around Union Square Park. The neighborhood has always been more than a subway stop. It is a dense live-work-play district with offices, restaurants, retail, hotels, cultural institutions, and one of the busiest transit hubs in Lower Manhattan.

For office tenants, the appeal is straightforward: central Manhattan location, unusually strong transit access, a deep supply of character-rich buildings, and a tenant base increasingly concentrated in technology, media, finance, professional services, and other creative industries.

Union Square also occupies an interesting position in the Manhattan office market. It is not priced like the most expensive trophy corridors of Midtown, but it is no longer the bargain it once was. The best renovated buildings and newer properties can command premium rents, while prewar lofts and older Class B buildings still provide a wider range of options.

The result is a market with several distinct layers. A tenant looking for a polished Class A building, a creative loft, a furnished prebuilt suite, or a smaller office near the park can all find something here — but they are shopping in very different parts of the market.

Union Square Office Market at a Glance

Union Square’s office market has tightened considerably from the conditions that defined Manhattan immediately after the pandemic. The Union Square Partnership’s 2025 Commercial Market Report put office availability in the district at 10.9%, compared with 17.2% across Manhattan, making Union Square one of the tighter office submarkets in the city. Technology was the leading industry in the local office market, while Zero Irving, 200 Park Avenue South, and 860 Broadway had reached full occupancy.

Manhattan as a whole continued to tighten in 2026. Colliers reported 11.78 million square feet of office leasing activity in Q1 2026, the strongest first quarter since 2014, while Manhattan availability declined to 13.7%. Average asking rent reached $77.55/SF.

Union Square therefore sits in an important position: availability is tighter than the broader Manhattan market, but the neighborhood still contains enough different building types to create a much wider range of asking rents than a single submarket average suggests.

Key Union Square Office Market Factors

• Availability is relatively tight. Union Square’s 10.9% office availability in the 2025 district report was substantially below the Manhattan figure of 17.2%.
• Technology remains a major tenant category. The neighborhood has attracted technology, AI, venture capital, media, and other companies looking for a central location with a more creative character than traditional Midtown.
• Transit is one of the strongest selling points. The 14th Street–Union Square station connects eight subway services: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R and W.
• The building stock is unusually diverse. Newer office towers sit alongside restored prewar buildings, landmarked properties, loft buildings, and boutique Class A projects.
• The best buildings can command a premium. Recent leases show asking rents ranging from roughly $75/SF in renovated loft-style buildings to more than $100/SF in premium Class A space, with Zero Irving previously marketed at substantially higher levels.
• The neighborhood itself is part of the amenity package. Union Square Park, the Greenmarket, restaurants, retail, hotels, and cultural destinations put much of the tenant’s daily needs within walking distance.

Union Square Office Space for Lease

Union Square is particularly attractive to companies that do not want a conventional Midtown office.

The neighborhood’s office inventory is built around several different types of properties. Newer developments offer modern systems, rooftop amenities, lounges, fitness facilities, terraces, and highly finished common areas. Renovated prewar buildings provide large windows, high ceilings, character, and smaller full-floor layouts. Older loft properties offer another option for companies that care more about floorplate, location, and atmosphere than a traditional Class A lobby.

That variety is one of Union Square’s biggest advantages.

A company searching for 3,000 to 10,000 square feet may have completely different options from a tenant looking for 25,000 square feet. A technology company may prefer a renovated loft or boutique Class A building, while a financial or professional-services firm may place more value on a polished lobby and efficient floorplate.

Several buildings are particularly important to the market, including 799 Broadway, 817 Broadway, 838 Broadway, 841 Broadway, 853 Broadway, 100 Fifth Avenue, 44 Union Square East, 200 Park Avenue South, 215 Park Avenue South, and Zero Irving at 124 East 14th Street.

The market has also continued to attract growing technology and AI companies. Perplexity, for example, expanded into a combined 22,000-square-foot office across 841 and 853 Broadway, with the 14,000-square-foot expansion at 841 Broadway reportedly asking $85/SF.

That kind of transaction explains why Union Square continues to appeal to companies that want a recognizable Manhattan address without moving into the traditional Midtown office environment.

How Much Does Union Square Office Space Cost?

There is no single Union Square rent.

The old assumption that the neighborhood generally rents for $50 to $80/SF is now too broad for the current market. Asking rents depend heavily on the building, floor, renovation level, views, lease size, term, and whether the space is direct or sublease.

Recent market evidence shows the spread clearly. A lease at 841 Broadway was signed at an $85/SF asking rent, while Swedish AI company Legora leased 27,238 square feet at 838 Broadway at a reported $110/SF asking rent. Zero Irving, meanwhile, had previously commanded an asking rent of $170/SF for a 12,455-square-foot lease.

For that reason, tenants should think about Union Square in tiers rather than using one neighborhood-wide number.

• Broadway South of Union Square

The area south of Union Square includes a mix of renovated boutique Class A properties and loft-style buildings. Asking rents can fall roughly in the $75–$110/SF range, with typical tenant requirements ranging from approximately 3,000 to 30,000 square feet.

This part of the market can work for both Class A users and companies that want more character than a conventional office tower provides.

• 14th Street and Irving Place

The 14th Street and Irving Place area contains newer Class A properties alongside older Class B buildings. Asking rents can range from approximately $80/SF to more than $170/SF, depending heavily on the building and level of finish.

Tenant requirements in this area commonly fall in the 5,000–25,000-square-foot range, although larger and smaller opportunities can also appear.

• Union Square Park Frontage

Properties directly around Union Square Park combine location, visibility, historic character, and access to one of Manhattan’s best-known public spaces. Asking rents can range from approximately $75/SF to $125/SF.

Available spaces typically range from smaller 2,000-square-foot suites to offices of 30,000 square feet or more.

• Fifth Avenue Edge

The Fifth Avenue side of Union Square provides another mix of renovated Class A and prewar buildings. Asking rents can generally fall around $70–$120/SF, with smaller offices starting around 1,500 square feet and larger opportunities reaching approximately 20,000 square feet.

The location can be especially attractive to tenants that want access to both Union Square and the Flatiron or Chelsea office markets.

• Older Side-Street Lofts

Older side-street lofts can provide a more value-oriented alternative to premium Class A space. Asking rents are often below prime Class A levels, although the exact rate depends on the condition, floor, layout, and building.

These properties can be particularly suitable for creative companies, startups, smaller professional-services firms, and tenants that prioritize usable floor area and neighborhood character.

• Premium New and Highly Amenitized Space

At the top end of the market are newer or heavily repositioned buildings with modern systems, upgraded common areas, rooftop amenities, fitness facilities, lounges, and other tenant conveniences.

Asking rents in this category can reach $100/SF and above, with Zero Irving demonstrating how far premium pricing can extend for highly amenitized Class A space.

These asking ranges are indicative rather than a single published Union Square average. Actual rents vary by building, floor, term, condition, tenant credit, and concessions.

The important point is that building quality can matter more than the neighborhood average.

A renovated historic building one block from the park can command more than an ordinary Class A building farther away. Conversely, a tenant willing to accept an older building or a less prominent floor can often reduce occupancy costs while keeping the Union Square address.

Union Square Office Space by Building Class

• Class A Office Space

Union Square’s Class A inventory is different from traditional Midtown Class A.

Instead of large concentrations of corporate towers, the market contains a mix of boutique buildings, restored historic properties, and newer developments.

Zero Irving is the clearest example of the modern end of the market. The 21-story development at 124 East 14th Street was created as a technology-focused office project and reached full occupancy after Senator Investment Group leased the remaining 12,455 square feet in 2024. The reported asking rent on that deal was $170/SF.

838 Broadway represents another version of Class A: a historic building repositioned for modern tenants. The building has attracted technology and AI companies, including Legora, which signed for 27,238 square feet at a reported $110/SF asking rent.

817 Broadway is another major renovated property. The 14-story building underwent a substantial renovation and includes upgraded lobby and rooftop amenity areas. It has historically attracted technology and venture-capital tenants.

For companies that want a modern workplace without leaving the Union Square ecosystem, these properties represent the premium end of the neighborhood.

• Class B and Loft Office Space

This is where Union Square becomes particularly interesting.

Many of the buildings around the park are older properties that have been renovated without losing their original architectural character. High ceilings, oversized windows, exposed structural elements, and large floorplates can make these buildings more attractive to creative and technology tenants than a conventional glass office tower.

5–9 Union Square West, the Spingler Building, is an example of this type of property. The circa-1900 building has attracted modern technology tenants while retaining its historic loft character.

853 Broadway is another important property. The 21-story Emery Roth-designed building has been upgraded while maintaining its location directly at Union Square Park. Recent tenants include Nourish, which leased 7,563 square feet on the 15th floor in a five-year transaction.

Class B does not necessarily mean low quality in Union Square. In many cases, tenants are choosing the building because of its character, location, floorplate, and views, rather than because it has a particular letter classification.

• Creative and Loft Space

Union Square remains one of Manhattan’s stronger locations for creative office users.

Older loft buildings can offer layouts that work well for companies with open collaborative environments, design teams, media operations, technology groups, and smaller professional-services firms.

The advantage is not simply the physical space. These tenants also get access to the neighborhood itself — restaurants, coffee shops, Union Square Park, retail, and direct subway access.

For a company that wants employees to be able to walk out of the office and immediately have places to meet, eat, shop, or work informally, that surrounding environment can be as important as the office interior.

What Makes Union Square Different?

Union Square’s office market is shaped by several forces that are worth watching.

1. Technology and AI Have Become Major Office Tenants

The neighborhood’s technology identity is not just historical.

Recent leasing activity shows continued demand from AI and technology companies. Legora selected 838 Broadway for its New York headquarters, while Perplexity expanded across 841 and 853 Broadway.

This creates a different tenant ecosystem from traditional Midtown, where finance, law, insurance, and large corporate users dominate more heavily.

2. Transit Makes the Neighborhood Easy to Reach

The 14th Street–Union Square station connects eight subway services, including the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R and W.

That matters for office leasing because employees can reach the neighborhood from a wide range of Manhattan and Brooklyn locations without relying on a single subway line.

The neighborhood is also close to additional subway services west of the park and has convenient connections to PATH at 14th Street and Sixth Avenue.

3. Union Square Park Changes the Office Experience

The park is not simply a landmark.

It provides an outdoor environment immediately outside many office buildings and creates a visual difference between Union Square and more conventional commercial corridors.

The Union Square Greenmarket also operates year-round, with more than 140 vendors and a regular Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday schedule.

For employers trying to create an office environment that feels less isolated from the city, that is a meaningful advantage.

4. Retail and Dining Continue to Strengthen

Union Square’s office market benefits from the wider mixed-use district.

The Union Square Partnership reported that 53 new businesses opened in the area during the year covered by its 2025 report, with 81% of those openings in food and beverage. Ground-floor occupancy reached 88.5% in June 2025.

That gives office tenants a much deeper selection of restaurants, cafés and services than many office-only submarkets.

Office Buildings Worth Knowing in Union Square

Several buildings stand out in the Union Square office market, but they represent very different parts of the neighborhood’s inventory.

• Zero Irving at 124 East 14th Street represents the modern, technology-focused end of the market. The building combines contemporary office space with amenities, rooftop space and strong transit access.
• 799 Broadway offers newer boutique Class A space with modern construction, efficient floors and a tenant base that includes technology and finance companies.
• 817 Broadway is a renovated historic Class A property with upgraded lobby and rooftop amenities. Its architecture and tenant mix have made it particularly relevant to technology and venture-capital companies.
• 838 Broadway combines historic character with modern office infrastructure and has become particularly attractive to technology and AI tenants.
• 841 Broadway offers renovated office space with the potential to connect with 853 Broadway, creating additional flexibility for tenants with larger requirements.
• 853 Broadway combines a Class A office environment with historic architecture and a direct relationship to Union Square Park. Its large floorplates and location make it one of the more recognizable properties in the district.
• 44 Union Square East is a historic landmark with distinctive architecture and a direct park location, appealing to companies that want an address with more character than a conventional office tower.
• 5–9 Union Square West offers a historic loft environment and Union Square frontage, making it relevant to creative and technology-oriented companies.
• 100 Fifth Avenue provides Class A office space near 15th Street and is particularly useful for tenants that want to remain close to both Union Square and the Flatiron district.
• 200 Park Avenue South offers prewar office space, park views and a central location, while 215 Park Avenue South provides another prewar option with larger floorplates and a more value-oriented positioning.

These properties represent different ends of the Union Square market rather than a single building standard.

Prominent Union Square Office Buildings

• Zero Irving — 124 East 14th Street

Zero Irving is one of the neighborhood’s most modern office developments.

The roughly 240,000-square-foot project was designed as a technology-oriented office hub and reached full occupancy after Senator Investment Group took the remaining space in 2024. The deal reportedly carried a $170/SF asking rent, illustrating the premium that highly amenitized new space can command in Union Square.

• 817 Broadway

817 Broadway is a renovated historic office building near the south side of Union Square.

The property contains roughly 140,000 square feet and underwent a major capital program that upgraded the lobby and rooftop amenity space. Its tenant base has included venture capital and technology companies.

• 838 Broadway

838 Broadway combines historic architecture with a modern office repositioning.

The property has become particularly relevant to technology and AI tenants. Legora signed a 27,238-square-foot lease for its New York headquarters at a reported $110/SF asking rent.

• 841 and 853 Broadway

The adjoining 841 and 853 Broadway properties create an interesting leasing option because space can be combined across the buildings.

Perplexity expanded to 22,000 square feet across the two properties in 2026, while Nourish signed for 7,563 square feet at 853 Broadway in 2025.

853 Broadway is particularly notable for its direct relationship with Union Square Park.

• 44 Union Square East

The historic Tammany Hall building sits directly on the eastern side of the park.

Its architecture gives it a very different identity from a conventional office tower, making it relevant for companies that want an address with architectural character as well as central access.

• 100 Fifth Avenue

100 Fifth Avenue sits just west of Union Square near 15th Street.

The building provides another version of the neighborhood’s Class A inventory and is particularly useful for tenants who want the Union Square/Fifth Avenue location while remaining close to the Flatiron and Chelsea office markets.

Which Businesses Lease Office Space in Union Square?

Union Square’s tenant base has evolved significantly.

The neighborhood still attracts traditional professional-services companies, but technology, AI, venture capital, media, healthcare, and creative businesses have become particularly visible.

Technology and AI companies are especially active around Broadway, Union Square and 14th Street. These tenants often choose Class A or renovated loft space because of the combination of transit access, proximity to talent and a creative business environment.

Venture capital and private equity firms tend to favor boutique Class A properties around Broadway and the park. The central location and modernized office environments provide access to both employees and clients without the more conventional Midtown setting.

Media, advertising and creative companies often gravitate toward park-front properties and Broadway. Historic lofts and Class A offices can provide the character, restaurants and collaborative layouts that these businesses value.

Professional-services firms can find suitable space around Union Square and the Fifth Avenue edge. These tenants often prioritize central Manhattan access, client convenience and efficient office layouts.

Healthcare and HealthTech companies are another growing category around Broadway and the park. The combination of transit access and Union Square’s expanding technology ecosystem makes the neighborhood relevant to these companies.

Finance and investment firms can find premium Class A space around 14th Street and Broadway, where central access and higher-quality office environments support more traditional corporate requirements.

Consumer and retail headquarters can benefit from the Fifth Avenue and Broadway locations, particularly where strong retail visibility and foot traffic are important.

Startups and smaller businesses often have more flexibility on side streets and in older loft properties, where smaller suites and more flexible layouts can be easier to find.

Nonprofits and associations can use Class B and older office inventory to maintain a central Manhattan location without taking on the cost of a trophy property.

Coworking and flexible-office users can also find opportunities around Broadway and 14th Street, particularly where smaller footprints and strong transit access are priorities.

The technology concentration is particularly notable. Union Square Partnership identified technology as the leading industry in the district’s office market, while recent transactions involving Perplexity and Legora show that the neighborhood continues to attract growing AI companies.

Lease Concessions and Effective Rent

The asking rent is only one part of an office lease.

Tenants should also compare free rent, tenant-improvement allowances, build-out contributions, furniture, turnkey space, operating expenses, and lease term before comparing two buildings.

This is especially important in Union Square because the market includes everything from highly competitive fully leased buildings to older properties where landlords may have more flexibility.

A new direct lease in a premium building can come with a substantial build-out allowance, while a furnished sublease may require less upfront capital because the previous tenant has already installed the space.

Direct Lease vs. Sublease

A direct lease is generally better suited to companies planning for longer-term occupancy. It typically provides greater flexibility for customizing the office and building out a space around the tenant’s specific requirements, although furniture and upfront construction costs may be additional expenses. Availability depends on the current inventory of the building, and negotiations can vary considerably depending on the property and tenant.

A sublease is often more attractive to companies that prioritize flexibility or need to move into an office quickly. Lease terms are frequently shorter, the existing layout can reduce upfront work, and furniture may already be included. Negotiations can also be more flexible because the existing tenant may be motivated to transfer the space. The trade-off is that sublease availability changes frequently and the space may offer less opportunity for customization.

The most attractive sublease opportunities can disappear quickly, particularly in a neighborhood where availability is already below the Manhattan average.

Union Square Office Amenities

The neighborhood’s amenities come from two places: inside the building and outside the building.

Inside newer and renovated properties, tenants may find rooftop terraces, tenant lounges, fitness centers, conference facilities, outdoor space, prebuilt furnished suites, modern lobby and security systems, bicycle facilities, and food and beverage amenities.

Outside the building, the amenity package becomes much larger.

Union Square Park is immediately accessible, while the neighborhood has restaurants, cafés, hotels, retail stores, the Greenmarket, gyms, and cultural destinations.

This is one reason companies that prioritize employee experience often consider Union Square alongside more traditional Midtown locations.

Major Office Landlords in Union Square

Union Square does not have one dominant landlord controlling the entire neighborhood.

Instead, ownership is spread across a number of established property owners and development groups.

The Feil Organization is associated with notable properties including 841 Broadway and 853 Broadway, which occupy the Class A and historic segments of the market.

Taconic Partners and its partners are associated with 817 Broadway, a renovated boutique Class A property.

Savanna and its partners own 799 Broadway, which represents the modern Class A segment of the neighborhood.

RAL Development Services and JRE Partners are associated with Zero Irving, the modern technology-focused Class A development at 124 East 14th Street.

GFP Real Estate is associated with 5–9 Union Square West, a historic loft/Class B property.

Sovereign Partners is associated with 100 Fifth Avenue, a Class A office building near 15th Street.

ZG Capital Partners is associated with 838 Broadway, a boutique Class A property with a strong technology and AI tenant presence.

Zar Property NY is associated with 37 East 18th Street, while Reading International is associated with 44 Union Square East, the historic property on the eastern side of the park.

Ownership and management can change, so tenants should verify the current landlord and leasing representative before negotiating a lease.

Transportation and Commuting to Union Square

Transportation is arguably Union Square’s biggest practical advantage.

The 14th Street–Union Square subway station serves eight subway services: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R and W.

That gives employees direct access to the East Side, West Side connections, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx without requiring a long walk from the office.

Additional subway stations are within walking distance, while PATH service at 14th Street and Sixth Avenue provides a connection for commuters coming from New Jersey.

For employers, the transportation network matters for both recruitment and daily attendance. Employees can arrive from different parts of the city without all relying on the same train line.

Subway Lines at Union Square

The 4, 5 and 6 trains provide access through the Lexington Avenue corridor, connecting Union Square with Manhattan’s East Side as well as destinations in the Bronx and Brooklyn.

The N, Q, R and W trains serve the Broadway corridor and provide connections toward Midtown, Queens and Brooklyn.

The L train provides a direct connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn through the Canarsie Line.

Additional 1, 2, 3, F and M services are available within walking distance west of Union Square, giving commuters even more options depending on their origin and destination.

For commuters traveling from New Jersey, PATH service at 14th Street and Sixth Avenue provides another important regional connection.

The station’s connectivity is one reason Union Square continues to function as a major employment center rather than simply a neighborhood office district.

Union Square as a Live-Work-Play District

One of the strongest differences between Union Square and conventional office corridors is the amount of activity outside office hours.

The Union Square Partnership’s research describes the district as a mixed environment serving workers, residents, students, visitors and businesses. Its 2025 report counted more than 152,000 workers, 75,000 residents and 75,000 students across the district’s broader live-work-play-learn ecosystem.

Worker activity has also recovered strongly. The Partnership reported that monthly worker visits reached a post-pandemic high of 444,000 in October 2024, representing a 123% increase from January 2020.

For office tenants, that means Union Square does not become empty when the workday ends.

Restaurants, retail, hotels, entertainment and the park continue to generate activity throughout the day and evening.

Union Square Office Space: What Type of Tenant Fits Best?

Union Square works particularly well for companies that want a central Manhattan address without the corporate feel of traditional Midtown.

A technology or AI company may value the neighborhood’s existing tech ecosystem and flexible renovated buildings.

A creative or media company may prefer the loft character, park views and restaurants.

A professional-services company may prioritize the transit network and central location for employees and clients.

A small company can look toward older lofts, side-street buildings and smaller prebuilt suites rather than competing for the most expensive full-floor Class A inventory.

Larger companies have fewer choices because some of the largest modern properties are already fully leased. That makes early planning particularly important when a tenant needs a substantial block of contiguous space.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does office space cost in Union Square?

There is no single Union Square asking rent. Current evidence shows a broad range depending on the building and space. Recent transactions include approximately $85/SF at 841 Broadway, $110/SF at 838 Broadway, and $170/SF at Zero Irving.

Is Union Square a good location for a technology company?

The neighborhood has a significant technology and AI presence. Union Square Partnership identified technology as the leading industry in the local office market, and recent leases by Perplexity and Legora demonstrate continued demand from AI companies.

What subway lines serve Union Square?

The 14th Street–Union Square station serves the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R and W trains.

Is Union Square cheaper than Midtown?

The answer depends on which buildings are being compared. Union Square includes both relatively affordable Class B and loft inventory and premium Class A properties where asking rents can exceed $100/SF. It should therefore be compared building by building rather than against a single neighborhood average.

What are the best Union Square office buildings?

Important properties include Zero Irving, 799 Broadway, 817 Broadway, 838 Broadway, 841 Broadway, 853 Broadway, 100 Fifth Avenue, 44 Union Square East, 200 Park Avenue South and 5–9 Union Square West. Each serves a different part of the office market.

Does Union Square have creative office space?

Yes. Historic loft and prewar buildings are an important part of the neighborhood’s inventory. These properties can offer high ceilings, large windows, distinctive architecture and flexible layouts that appeal to technology, media and creative companies.

Is Union Square well connected for commuters?

Yes. The 14th Street–Union Square station connects eight subway services, and additional subway and PATH stations are within walking distance.

Find Office Space for Lease in Union Square

Union Square is no longer simply an alternative to Midtown.

It has developed into its own office market, with technology and AI companies, finance firms, professional services, media businesses, healthcare companies and creative tenants sharing a neighborhood built around one of Manhattan’s strongest transit hubs.

The market is also highly segmented. A tenant looking for a modern Class A tower will have a very different search from a company looking for a historic loft or a furnished sublease. Asking rents can vary substantially even between buildings that are only a few blocks apart.

That makes the building, floor, lease term and concessions just as important as the neighborhood average.

For companies searching for Union Square office space for lease, the most useful approach is to compare available buildings by size, asking rent, condition, concessions, transit access and the type of office environment they provide — rather than treating Union Square as one uniform market.

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