Image via Complex Original
Too many employees endure 10 hour shifts in a tight cubicle, alternating between a break room that never has fresh coffee and a stuffy conference rooms that encourages nothing but lethargy. There's a better way. Imagine an office where playing ping pong in between staff meetings is standard, and a rooftop lounge becomes the new way to increase productivity during warm weather months. There might even be a beer pong table for employees to enjoy. Yes, these office spaces exist, and they're located in Gotham.
From huge corporations to freshly minted start-ups, here are some of The 15 Coolest Office Spaces in NYC.
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15. Contently
Neighborhood: SoHo
Address: 598 Broadway
Website: contently.com
The writing on the wall is very important at Contently—almost every surface is meant for writing down notes. Creating an atmosphere that fuels creativity and imaginitive thought, all of the rooms have different themes such as the robot, dinosaur, and grizzly rooms.
14. MyCityWay
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 95 Morton St.
Website: mycityway.com
A stunning view of the Hudson River creates an incredible background for the events held at the MyCityWay office. The employees enjoy unique perks including happy hours, a "Ping Pong Championship of the World" tournament, and an enviable interior design element. The kitchen is also equipped with a full bar, but no word on whether or day drinking in the office is acceptable.
13. Artsicle
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Address: 1140 Broadway #1503
Website: artsicle.com
If you asked an Artisicle employee to describe their work environment, they would probably say that it feels as though they work from home. With art covering the walls, and a space that is meant to be personalized, the Artsicle office is a home away from home. Well, not many people have miniature trampolines in place of coffee tables in the center of their living rooms, but most people aren't as cool as the Artsicle crew.
12. Fab
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 95 Morton St.
Website: fab.com
Fab.com's chief design officer Bradford Shellhammer puts candy outside his office as bait for employees to stop by and converse. Yes, he lures employees in with confections. All of the conference rooms are named after the color and decor of the room. Unlike most office conference rooms, Fab.com's Yellow Room doesn't have a huge table with swivel chairs. Instead, folks gather around in big red beanbags to discuss the work of the day. Intricate chandeliers and wiry, exposed light bulbs are also strewn throughout the office, making for both good lighting and inspiring design.
11. YellowHammer Media Group
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: W 28th St.
Website: yhmg.com
Rather than opting for the standard cool office ping pong table, YellowHammer Media Group took it one step further. Their office has a custom-designed beer pong table in the company's blue and yellow color scheme to encourage team spirit. For the employees that prefer other games reminiscent of undergrad, they also have a Foosball table.
10. AppNexus
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Address: 28 W 23rd St.
Website: appnexus.com
The modern design of the AppNexus office is in stark contrast to the building's exterior. The walls are lined with bright abstract designs, a timeline detailing the AppNexus progression, and sleek furniture that suits the space's modern decor. Employees also get an essential office perk—great coffee. Why trek to Starbucks when there are a multitude of coffee machines and flavored syrups available just a few steps away from your desk?
9. Knewton
Neighborhood: Union Square
Address: 100 5th Ave
Website: knewton.com
Knewton employees, or the "Knerds," work hard to be at the forefront of what they call education's "fourth big revolution." And if that revolution involves creating productive and enjoyable work environments, Knewton is on the right track. Huge white board dividers are perfect for jotting down ideas and the comfortable leather armchairs are great for comfortably completing projects. During downtime, when the Knerds want some time away from the white boards and comfy chairs, nerf gun battles commence. Let the games begin.
8. tumblr
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Address: 35 East 21st St.
Website: tumblr.com
When there's a live-in Pomeranian named Tommy in the office full time—of course your office is cool. Although it's a big space, there's no labyrinth-like floor plan that makes it difficult to find the kitchen. To add to the homey, lived in feel, the fridge is covered in fan mail, the walls are decorated with art created by tumblr users, and the employees dine together at a large wooden table in the back of the main meeting area on the first floor.
7. Gawker
Neighborhood: SoHo
Address: 210 Elizabeth St. #4
Website: gawker.com
Gawker's office definitely has character. The walls are filled with Joe Heaps Nelson's paintings of American cheerleaders, a seemingly random surfboard sits atop a bookcase, and there are a series of phone booths where employees can find some peace and quiet to take important or personal calls. But the space's greatest feature is undoubtedly the rooftop patio where employees can work outdoors, lounge, and join in on the Gawker summer barbecues.
6. ZocDoc
Neighborhood: SoHo
Address: 568 Broadway #901
Website: zocdoc.com
A trip to the ZocDoc offices isn't too different from visiting a pediatrician's office or the school nurse. ZocDoc commissioned cartoonists to paint murals on the walls and the infamous TV doctor House can be seen giving a high-five to an esteemed ZocDoc physician somewhere in the office. The office cafeteria is filled with the children's' tables and chairs that the Scholastic company left behind, and the game room features a tiny kiddie pool, a hammock, and a Street Fighter game. Our doctors need to take interior designer notes from ZocDoc.
5. Heineken USA
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Address: 405 Lexington Ave #5500
Website: heinekenusa.com
No need to conceal your undercover lush if you work at the Heineken USA headquarters. Every Thursday, the company holds happy hour for employees at its bar stocked with a number of the brand's beers. Design wise, a feature that makes this office space especially cool is the heavily lit elevators. The walls surrounding the lifts are covered in specially designed Heineken bottles, creating a unique lighting effect. If employees need to brush up on their company history, they can take a look at the vintage ads in the office waiting room, or look over the company's timeline on the wall behind the Foosball tables.
4. Foursquare
Neighborhood: SoHo
Address: 568 Broadway
Website: foursquare.com
The term "swanky" is often thrown around when describing the companies that have space in SoHo's Prince building, but much like the diversity in the cities the app keeps track off, Foursquare's office space was inspired by a variety of moods and themes. The main conference rooms are named for the most popular badges on the app. The Herbivore room is a very earthy, green space, while opulence dictates the design in the Socialite room. Because it wouldn't be a cool office space with competitive sports, employees can challenge each other in games of table tennis and air hockey when the mood strikes.
3. Quirky
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 606 W 28th St.
Website: quirky.com
Quirky helps the innovative minds of today get their ideas out to the public and this theme of innovation is displayed throughout their NYC office. Finding new uses for old goods, you'll see a reception desk made of old lockers, a conference table constructed out of wooden crates, and a meeting room table with an old radiator serving as its base. There is also a 3D printer workshop, a huge dining area, and the focal point of the office—the product lab.
2. AOL Ventures
Neighborhood: NoHo
Address: 770 Broadway #4
Website: corp.aol.com
AOL Ventures occupied the former Brooks Brothers headquarters space and kept a lot of the vintage feel when it came to the interior design. Almost mansion-like, the NoHo offices feature walls of exposed brick, numerous oriental accent rugs, and bits of antique decorations throughout its 11,500-square feet. The warm lighting and arched shaped entryways and windows create a home-like atmosphere for the numerous entrepreneurs and AOL Ventures partners, who personally contribute to the massive collection of artwork displayed.
1. Google
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 76 Ninth Ave
Website: google.com
Google goes out of its way to ensure that they don't have any disgruntled employees. Those on the Google NY payroll don't have to search far for fun activities in the office. While most offices require that you take the elevator, escalator, or stairs to the bottom floor, at Google, you're encouraged to use the slides or climb down the ladders. When employees need to take a break, they can occupy their time by riding scooters or playing with Legos. Workers can also perfect their musical talents in the sound-proof room equipped with drums and electric guitars.