Curtis + Ginsberg Architects Signs 11-Year Lease at One Battery Park Plaza
In a significant move for New York City's 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 architectural firm, long celebrated for its commitment to sustainable design and community-centered projects, will relocate its headquarters to a portion of the 27th floor of the 35-story office tower. The 11-year lease marks a new chapter for the firm and reinforces the enduring appeal of Lower Manhattan as a premier destination for professional services firms.
A Strategic Relocation Within Lower Manhattan
Curtis + Ginsberg Architects is expected to complete its move from its current 10,307 square-foot office at 55 Broad Street during the third quarter of 2023. The transition represents a meaningful upgrade in both space and amenity, with the firm expanding its footprint by roughly 2,300 square feet. For a practice that prioritizes collaborative work environments and cutting-edge design, the move to One Battery Park Plaza offers an ideal setting to support continued growth and innovation.
The decision to remain in Lower Manhattan underscores the neighborhood's resilience and ongoing transformation as a hub for architecture, finance, technology, and creative industries. Rather than migrating uptown or to other boroughs, Curtis + Ginsberg is doubling down on a district they clearly believe in — and the new address gives them one of the most iconic views in the entire city.
The Story Behind 55 Broad Street
The timing of this relocation is closely tied to a major transaction involving Curtis + Ginsberg's former home. 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. The adaptive reuse project is one of several residential conversions gaining momentum in Lower Manhattan, as the neighborhood continues to evolve beyond its traditional identity as a purely commercial district.
Rudin will retain an equity stake in the 55 Broad Street conversion project, signaling continued confidence in the asset even as it transitions to a new use. For Curtis + Ginsberg, the sale of their former building necessitated a move — but by all accounts, the firm's leadership views the change as a genuine opportunity rather than a disruption.
A Long-Term Tenant Relationship with Rudin
Michael Rudin, Executive Vice President of Rudin, highlighted the depth of the relationship between the two organizations in his remarks about the deal. "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," he said.
This kind of tenant loyalty is increasingly rare in New York City's competitive office market, where firms routinely shop around for better deals or relocate to entirely different submarkets. The fact that Curtis + Ginsberg chose to stay with Rudin speaks to the quality of the landlord-tenant relationship — and to the strength of One Battery Park Plaza as an offering in its own right.
R. Darby Curtis AIA, Managing Partner of Curtis + Ginsberg, echoed that enthusiasm. "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," Curtis remarked. For a firm whose entire brand is built around thoughtful, people-centered design, securing a workspace that supports collaboration and creativity is not a minor consideration — it is central to the way they operate.
About One Battery Park Plaza
One Battery Park Plaza is one of Lower Manhattan's most distinguished office addresses. Originally constructed by the Rudins in 1971, the 870,000 square-foot tower features original architecture by the legendary firm Emery Roth & Sons. Its lobby has since been renovated with Italian marble by Specter DeSouza Architects, blending classic design with modern sensibility.
Floor plates in the building range from 27,000 to 29,000 square feet, offering tenants generous, flexible layouts that can accommodate a variety of workplace configurations. The building's 27th floor — where Curtis + Ginsberg will be headquartered — offers sweeping, unobstructed views that include:
- New York Harbor
- The Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- Governors Island
- Battery Park
For an architecture firm, the visual connection to some of New York's most iconic landmarks is more than a perk — it is a daily source of inspiration.
Sustainability, Technology, and Wellness Certifications
One Battery Park Plaza is not just a beautiful building — it is a technologically advanced and health-conscious one. The tower has achieved the WELL Health-Safety Rating, a globally recognized certification that evaluates buildings based on policies, protocols, and design features that support occupant health and safety. This certification became particularly significant in the post-pandemic era, as tenants and landlords alike began prioritizing indoor air quality, sanitation protocols, and overall wellness infrastructure.
The building is also WiredScore Platinum certified, placing it among the most digitally connected office properties in New York City. WiredScore Platinum certification indicates that a building meets the highest standards for internet connectivity, cellular coverage, and technological resilience — critical features for any modern professional services firm that relies on seamless digital infrastructure.
Additionally, One Battery Park Plaza utilizes Nantum, widely recognized as the world's most advanced building operating system. Developed by Rudin's own technology subsidiary, Prescriptive Data, Nantum uses artificial intelligence and real-time data analytics to optimize energy consumption, improve environmental performance, and enhance the overall tenant experience. For a firm like Curtis + Ginsberg, whose work centers on sustainable design, operating within a building that itself models best practices in sustainability and smart building technology is a natural fit.
What This Deal Signals for Lower Manhattan's Office Market
The Curtis + Ginsberg lease at One Battery Park Plaza is part of a broader story about the evolution of Lower Manhattan's office market. While headlines about remote work and office vacancies have dominated real estate news in recent years, deals like this one demonstrate that high-quality, well-located, and amenity-rich office buildings continue to attract and retain tenants. Firms are not abandoning offices — they are becoming more selective about which offices they occupy.
For Rudin, this lease is a testament to the enduring value of maintaining a well-curated, well-managed portfolio of properties in premier locations. For Curtis + Ginsberg, it represents a forward-looking investment in their firm's culture, capabilities, and future growth. And for Lower Manhattan, it is yet another signal that the neighborhood remains a vibrant, competitive, and highly desirable destination for businesses of all kinds.