Which Tenants Occupy The Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is one of the world’s great iconic man-made structures. Rising 1,454 feet high above New York City, the colossal building attracts millions of visitors each year. 

But it’s not just visitors who recognise the beauty and timelessness of the Empire State Building. A large number of companies and other tenants have occupied the building since its doors opened in 1931, conducting operations from the heart of Manhattan. 

With this in mind, let’s pose the question: which tenants currently occupy space in the Empire State Building? 

In this article, we’ll explore some previous tenants of the Empire State Building, how much it costs to rent space in the Empire State Building, and whether tenants are situated on the top floor of the building. 

But first, let’s explore the question of who currently rents out space in the Empire State Building. 

Which companies are based in the Empire State Building?

There are currently around 1,000 companies that are based in the Empire State Building, spanning the building’s 102 storeys. Some of the most recognisable include Shutterstock, Expedia and LinkedIn, but there is a wide range of different businesses running operations. 

Interestingly, despite its emblematic status, the Empire State Building was not always intended to have such large clients. Historically, the building had smaller companies littered across its floors, but this has changed over the last couple of decades. 

Some other tenants that currently take up space in the famous building include:

• Workday
• Media General
• Morgan and Morgan
• Qatar Airways
• Human Rights Watch
• Walgreens
• Skanska

What are some previous tenants of the Empire State Building?

Over the years, some interesting parties and organisations have taken up space at the Empire State Building. Some of the most intriguing include the RCA Corporation, which was in place from 1933 to 1975, and the State of New York, which left in 2019 after 31 years in the building. 

Indeed, the previous tenants of the Empire State Building have even extended to the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Air Force. The former had offices in the famous structure between the 1960s and 2000s, while the latter used it as a lookout post for enemy planes during World War 2. 

On a slightly different note, the virtual tour attraction New York City Skyride was in place on the second floor of the Empire State Building. This was designed as an accompaniment to the top floor observatory, but was shut down in 2018 following mixed reviews and performance. 

How much does it cost to rent space in the Empire State Building?

For those looking to rent out space in one of the Big Apple’s most iconic buildings, the amount it will cost depends on which floor it is and how much space is needed. Generally, it is thought to cost around $73.00 per square foot on the lower floors, and up to $79.00 per square foot on the upper floors. 

The reason for this discrepancy is simple: you’ll get better views from the upper floors, increasing the attraction of the space for companies and their clients. 

To put this price into context, this means that a business who wants to take up an entire floor of office space will have to fork out almost $1.4 million per year. In other words, it’s a pretty penny for a pretty view! 

What is the inside of the Empire State Building like?

So, if you’re forking out millions of dollars a year for space in the Empire State Building, what bang do you get for your buck?

Well, despite its advanced age compared to some other modern office complexes in New York, the Empire State Building offers top-class commercial space that is in line with the best around. Prospective tenants can rent anywhere from 2,800 rentable square feet to 26,000, meaning that interested parties of different sizes can explore their options. 

The typical interior of an Empire State Building floor is luxurious, with the architectural icon renowned for its art deco features and high ceilings. And, each office typically employs the use of wood or glass fronts, helping to retain the building’s 1930s stylings.

Constant renovations and improvements have been made to the building since its inception, which have focused on preserving the building’s aesthetics and keeping it energy efficient. The most recent of these works was completed in 2020, and this, among other things, offers all visitors and workers free wi-fi in the lobby area. 

It means that, when it comes to modern amenities, the Empire State Building is every bit a match for other skyscrapers and commercial buildings that have been built in the intervening years. 

Who rents out the top floor of the Empire State Building?

Ever since it has been open, there have been no tenants occupying the top floor of the Empire State Building. This is because the building’s 102nd floor, which is the highest, is occupied by an observation deck, offering spectacular views over the city of New York and beyond. 

As a result of these spellbinding views, this observation deck is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York, with over 4 million people taking the trip up to the top each year. This is aided by a high-speed elevator which makes the trip from the lobby to the deck last just 47 seconds. 

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That’s it for our guide to which companies and other tenants currently occupy the Empire State Building. This famous art deco skyscraper has had a whole host illustrious names pass through its doors, and it doesn’t look like this is likely to end any time soon. 

For more related news, views and in-depth guides, explore more of our skyscrapers and tall buildings articles. It features our guide to the tallest buildings we could possibly build. 

Or, if you’d like more guides to building and architecture vocabulary, take a look at our selection of building wikis.

Last Updated on 7 September 2023 by Michael