The Financial District of Lower Manhattan is a very attractive to place to do business for many reasons. Once dominated by Wall Street and the financial industry almost entirely, the neighborhood has shed its stuffy 9 to 5 atmosphere and today gleams as a thriving 24/7 multi-use neighborhood, popular with families and tourists alike.
In the wake of the Great Recession, tech, new media and creative services firms have flooded downtown, infusing it with new life, vibrancy and energy. Despite the challenges of the recession, Hurricane Sandy and the tragic events of September 11, the neighborhood remains one of the premier central business districts in the entire world. Here’s a quick look at some of its advantages.
Excellent Transit Options
One of the biggest benefits of the Financial District is its wide array of transit options. Although it lacks the commuter rail links that Midtown offers, the Financial District more than makes up for this deficiency by boasting one of the highest concentrations of subway lines in the city.
The new World Trade Center Transportation Hub and Fulton Center make commuting and transferring a breeze. PATH service to cities like Hoboken, Newark and Jersey City makes the neighborhood attractive for employers with workers in New Jersey while the Staten Island Ferry and numerous other ferry services offer easy access to Staten Island, New Jersey and Brooklyn.
Convenient Geographic Location
The district also lies near the geographic heart of the New York metropolitan area, making it very convenient to reach. Subway access to and from Brooklyn and Midtown is very easy to find while PATH service to New Jersey is located at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, making it an easy commute for workers who live across the Hudson River.
The neighborhood is also just a few minutes by subway to Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, making a commute from the suburbs pretty convenient. The region’s three major airports are also easy to reach as well, especially Newark-Liberty International Airport.
Financial Advantage
The neighborhood offers more affordable rents compared to Midtown and Midtown South. This makes it more economical for budget-minded companies, especially those in sectors like media and information technology.
Great Amenities
The old suit-and-tie, 9 to 5 Financial District of yore is gone, replaced by trendy new restaurants and shops for office workers to enjoy. Battery Park offers a nice respite for a lunch break while Brookfield Place, the South Street Seaport and Governors Island play host to a rich variety of cultural events throughout the year. For businesses with younger workforces looking to have fun after work, this makes the neighborhood a great choice.
Choice of Office Space
From the 10 million square feet of state-of-the-art Class A office space under construction or recently opened at the new World Trade Center to Class B and C space in historic prewar high-rises, the Financial District offers plenty of office space choices suitable for virtually every company. Whether you’re a large financial firm, booming tech company or media business looking for a flexible new facility, the Financial District’s varied office space options offer plenty to choose from.
