Putting an end to months of rumors, Facebook has announced a commitment to lease all of the office space at the Farley Post Office Building, located across from Penn Station in midtown Manhattan. Mayor Bill de Blasio heralded the deal as "a big part of our future" and a "big vote of confidence" in New York City.
The real estate investment firm Vornado Realty announced the agreement on Monday, noting, "Farley’s large floorplates offer a horizontal campus unique to Manhattan and similar to tech offices in Silicon Valley."
The James A. Farley Post Office was built in the Beaux Arts style in 1912, between 31st and 33rd Streets and 8th and 9th Avenues. The complex will include, Vornado explained, "Facebook’s office space; the majestic Moynihan Train Hall; and 120,000 square feet of retail space with food and beverage, full-service restaurants and curated lifestyle brands. The project is expected to be completed in phases beginning by year-end 2020."
The build-outs for Facebook's space include "nearly 70,000 square feet of outdoor landscaped park space," which can be accessed from "a 6,000 square foot, column-free glass pavilion," on the sixth floor.
“We are delighted to welcome Facebook to The Farley Building, a property like no other in New York City. Facebook’s commitment to Farley expands our long-standing relationship and advances our vision for the Penn District, the new epicenter of Manhattan," Steven Roth, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vornado, said in a statement. Vornado's Penn District holdings include 10 million square of office space.
Facebook had been looking for more real estate for its New York City employees. Last year, they also signed a lease for 1.5 million square feet in two Hudson Yards buildings; there were no tax credits reported as part of that deal, unlike the city and state's controversial attempt to woo Amazon that collapsed amid protests.
Pre-pandemic, it was believed the Hudson Yards and Farley buildings would be enough space for 14,000 Facebook employees. More recently, the technology behemoth had been rumored to be in line to take over Neiman Marcus's 250,000 square feet in Hudson Yards' mall, after the retailer closed its store.
"The Farley Building will further anchor our New York footprint and create a dedicated hub for our tech and engineering teams," Facebook's vice president of real estate and facilities in the Americas, Robert Cookson, said. "We look forward to being a part of this iconic New York City landmark’s future for years to come."
Governor Andrew Cuomo was thrilled about the deal, sharing an enthusiastic statement, "This is a significant moment in New York's road to build back better and stronger and demonstrates our continuing resilience. Once complete, the Penn-Farley complex will be a world-class 21st century transportation, retail and business hub that maintains its extraordinary and historic architectural character. Vornado's and Facebook's investment in New York and commitment to further putting down roots here - even in the midst of a global pandemic - is a signal to the world that our brightest days are still ahead and we are open for business. This public-private partnership fortifies New York as an international center of innovation."
Despite the expansion news, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said as many as half of the company's 52,000 employees may work from home permanently.
