Curtis + Ginsberg Architects Signs Long-Term Lease at One Battery Park Plaza
In a significant move for New York City's architectural and commercial real estate landscape, Rudin has announced that Curtis + Ginsberg Architects has signed a 12,602 square-foot lease at One Battery Park Plaza in Lower Manhattan. The award-winning firm, celebrated for its commitment to sustainable and community-centered design, will relocate its headquarters to a portion of the 27th floor of the iconic 35-story office tower. The lease spans 11 years, underscoring the firm's long-term confidence in both Rudin as a landlord and Lower Manhattan as a premier destination for creative professional firms.
A Strategic Relocation Within Lower Manhattan
Curtis + Ginsberg Architects is expected to vacate its current 10,307-square-foot office at 55 Broad Street during the third quarter of 2023. The move to One Battery Park Plaza represents not just a change of address but a meaningful expansion of the firm's physical footprint, with the new space offering an additional 2,295 square feet compared to its current location. This expanded workspace is designed to foster a more collaborative environment and support the firm's growing team and evolving project portfolio.
The relocation comes as 55 Broad Street, the firm's longtime home, embarks on a dramatic transformation of its own. Rudin recently finalized the sale of 55 Broad Street to Silverstein Properties and Metro Loft Management, who plan to convert the building into 571 residential units. Rudin has retained an equity stake in that conversion project, signaling a broader trend of adaptive reuse reshaping Lower Manhattan's commercial real estate inventory.
What One Battery Park Plaza Offers Tenants
One Battery Park Plaza is one of Lower Manhattan's most distinguished office addresses. Originally constructed by the Rudin family in 1971, the 870,000-square-foot tower was designed by the legendary architecture firm Emery Roth & Sons. The building has since been thoughtfully updated, most notably with a renovated Italian marble lobby crafted by Specter DeSouza Architects, blending timeless elegance with modern professional standards.
The building's floor plates range from 27,000 to 29,000 square feet, providing tenants with expansive, flexible layouts suited to a wide variety of workspace configurations. Among the most compelling features of the tower are the sweeping, panoramic views available from upper floors, including breathtaking vistas of:
- New York Harbor
- The Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- Governors Island
- Battery Park
These views are more than aesthetic amenities — they serve as a daily reminder of the vibrant, historic environment that makes Lower Manhattan one of the most inspiring places to work in the world.
Industry-Leading Certifications and Smart Building Technology
One Battery Park Plaza is not merely resting on its architectural legacy. The building has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating, a globally recognized certification that demonstrates a commitment to occupant health, safety, and wellness within the built environment. This certification is particularly relevant in the post-pandemic era, as tenants increasingly prioritize workplaces that actively support the physical and mental wellbeing of employees.
Additionally, the building holds WiredScore Platinum certification, placing it among the most digitally connected and technologically resilient office buildings in New York City. For a firm like Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, whose work demands high-speed connectivity, seamless data transfer, and robust digital infrastructure, this certification represents a critical operational advantage.
Further demonstrating its forward-thinking management approach, One Battery Park Plaza utilizes Nantum, widely recognized as the world's most advanced building operating system. Nantum leverages artificial intelligence and real-time data analytics to optimize energy use, improve occupant comfort, and reduce a building's environmental footprint — values that align closely with Curtis + Ginsberg's own sustainability-driven design philosophy.
Voices From Both Sides of the Deal
The sentiment surrounding this transaction reflects the strength of the long-standing relationship between Rudin and Curtis + Ginsberg Architects. Michael Rudin, Executive Vice President of Rudin, emphasized the importance of tenant loyalty and continuity in the firm's leasing strategy.
"We are pleased to be able to accommodate Curtis & Ginsberg's move to One Battery Park Plaza as 55 Broad Street embarks on its next chapter. Their decision to remain within our portfolio is indicative of Rudin's history of creating long-term relationships with our tenants," said Michael Rudin.
R. Darby Curtis AIA, Managing Partner of Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, echoed this enthusiasm, pointing to both the quality of the new space and its alignment with the firm's broader mission.
"We are excited to stay in Lower Manhattan and look forward to expanding our space at One Battery Park Plaza, which will enhance our collaborative work environment and mission of providing designs that enhance communities," remarked Curtis.
Curtis + Ginsberg Architects: A Legacy of Sustainable, Award-Winning Design
Founded and headquartered in New York City, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects has built a distinguished reputation over decades of practice. The firm is known for delivering award-winning architectural services with a specialization in quality sustainable design. Its portfolio spans a wide range of project types, including residential, educational, cultural, and community-focused developments throughout the New York metropolitan area and beyond.
The firm's emphasis on sustainable design makes its choice of One Battery Park Plaza particularly fitting. By selecting a building that holds the WELL Health-Safety Rating and WiredScore Platinum certification and operates on advanced smart building technology, Curtis + Ginsberg is aligning its workspace with the same principles it advocates for in its own design work. The new headquarters will serve not only as a functional office but as a living example of the firm's values — an environment that enhances the wellbeing and productivity of the people who work within it.
Lower Manhattan Continues to Attract Top-Tier Tenants
This lease is further evidence of the enduring appeal of Lower Manhattan as a commercial hub for professional services firms, particularly those in the architecture, engineering, and design sectors. Despite broader shifts in the office market accelerated by remote and hybrid work trends, Lower Manhattan has demonstrated remarkable resilience, driven in part by building owners like Rudin who invest in modernization, sustainability, and tenant experience.
The conversion of 55 Broad Street to residential use and the simultaneous upgrade of tenants like Curtis + Ginsberg into more premium office space within the same portfolio reflects a broader strategic recalibration happening across Lower Manhattan. As obsolete office stock is repurposed for housing, higher-quality, amenity-rich towers are capturing a greater share of tenant demand — creating a more dynamic, mixed-use neighborhood fabric that benefits both residents and businesses alike.
With Curtis + Ginsberg Architects now set to call One Battery Park Plaza home for the next 11 years, both the firm and the building are well positioned to grow together, continuing to shape the architectural and professional identity of one of New York City's most storied neighborhoods.