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Neighborhood Profile: Brookfield Place

brookfield place nyc

Once known as the World Financial Center, the newly-renovated Brookfield Place stands as one of Manhattan’s premier office locations, not to mention a burgeoning retail and arts center too. Located within Battery Park City, the complex hosts a number of marquee tenants in a wide variety of sectors. But is it the best location for your New York City business?

Overview

Brookfield Place is part of the larger Battery Park City, the mix-use development built primarily in the 1980s via landfill just off the western shore of Lower Manhattan. The complex itself was originally called the World Financial Center and consists of five separate office building as well as the famous Winter Garden Atrium designed by architect Cesar Pelli and built from 1986 to 1997. The complex was hit hard by the 9/11 attacks but bounced back and was later renovated starting in 2012 to include new retail spaces, new entrances and improved transit access. It was officially renamed Brookfield Place in 2014 and today hosts a diverse array of tenants and is a key anchor of Downtown Manhattan’s growing shopping, dining and cultural scene.

Advantages

The complex boasts millions of square feet of modern office space and top-notch amenities such as upscale shops inside as well as the popular Hudson Eats food hall and Le District market, offering plenty of lunch options. It’s also very convenient to the scenic Battery Park City promenade as well as Lower Manhattan’s wealth of restaurants, shops, parks, transportation hubs and other amenities. The complex also offers close proximity to Downtown Manhattan’s vast array of subway stations, especially the nearby World Trade Center Transportation Hub and Fulton Center, plus the neighboring Battery Park City Ferry Terminal, PATH and numerous bus routes. It’s also convenient to the region’s three major airports, especially Newark Liberty International Airport.

Disadvantages

One of the biggest drawbacks of the complex is its relative distance from major regional transit hubs like Penn Station, Grand Center Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal located up in Midtown, making it a less attractive choice for companies with workforces with large numbers of suburban commuters. Despite its recent renovations and restyling, some companies – particularly startups and creative services companies – will probably not find it an inspiring place to work and may want to look elsewhere.

Verdict

Despite its transportation and image shortcomings, Brookfield Place is still a fantastic place to locate a business thanks to its millions of square feet of modern Class A office space, convenient access to many subway stations and close proximity to Lower Manhattan’s top parks, shops, restaurants, cultural centers and other amenities. For companies looking for a convenient and modern downtown location, this complex should be at the top of your list!