Curtis + Ginsberg Architects Signs Major Lease at One Battery Park Plaza
In a significant move for both the firm and the Lower Manhattan commercial real estate market, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects has signed a 12,602 square-foot lease at One Battery Park Plaza, the iconic 35-story office tower owned and managed by Rudin. The award-winning New York City-based architecture firm will relocate its headquarters to a portion of the building's 27th floor under an 11-year lease agreement, marking a new chapter in its long-standing relationship with Rudin as a landlord.
The relocation is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2023, when Curtis + Ginsberg will move from its current 10,307-square-foot office at 55 Broad Street — also a Rudin property — to its expansive new home at One Battery Park Plaza. The move represents a meaningful upgrade in both space and environment for the firm, which has built its reputation on providing award-winning architectural services with a strong emphasis on sustainable and community-focused design.
Why the Move? The Story Behind 55 Broad Street
The impetus for the relocation ties directly into the evolving fate of 55 Broad Street. Rudin recently finalized the sale of the building to Silverstein Properties and Metro Loft Management, who plan to convert the property into 571 residential units. While Rudin will retain an equity stake in the redevelopment project, the sale naturally triggered a need for current commercial tenants — including Curtis + Ginsberg — to find new offices.
Rather than losing a valued long-term tenant, Rudin worked to accommodate Curtis + Ginsberg within its own portfolio, landing the firm at One Battery Park Plaza. The transaction is a prime example of how established landlord-tenant relationships can create seamless transitions even in the midst of large-scale real estate transformations. Michael Rudin, Executive Vice President of Rudin, noted as much in his statement on 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," said Michael Rudin.
Curtis + Ginsberg Architects: A Firm Built on Sustainable Design
Founded in New York City, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects has earned a respected reputation across the architecture and design industry for delivering high-quality, sustainable, and community-enhancing design solutions. The firm specializes in a broad range of project types, consistently winning recognition for its commitment to thoughtful, environmentally responsible architecture.
The decision to remain in Lower Manhattan — and to upsize their workspace — speaks volumes about the firm's growth trajectory and its confidence in the neighborhood as a hub for creative and professional enterprises. By moving into a larger footprint at One Battery Park Plaza, Curtis + Ginsberg will have the room to foster the collaborative work culture that underpins its design philosophy.
R. Darby Curtis AIA, Managing Partner of Curtis + Ginsberg, expressed enthusiasm about the new space and what it means for the firm's future: "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."
One Battery Park Plaza: A Landmark Office Tower in Lower Manhattan
One Battery Park Plaza is far more than just an address — it is a landmark property with deep roots in New York City's architectural and commercial history. Originally constructed by the Rudin family in 1971, the 870,000 square-foot tower was designed with original architecture by the celebrated firm Emery Roth & Sons. Over the decades, the building has been carefully updated, including a renovated Italian marble lobby designed by Specter DeSouza Architects, which brings a refined elegance to the building's entrance experience.
Tenants at One Battery Park Plaza benefit from expansive floor plates ranging from 27,000 to 29,000 square feet, offering a level of flexibility rarely found in Manhattan office towers. Perhaps most strikingly, the building offers sweeping, unobstructed views of some of New York City's most iconic landmarks and natural scenery, including:
- New York Harbor
- The Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- Governors Island
- Battery Park
These panoramic vistas, combined with the building's premium amenities and prestigious Lower Manhattan address, make One Battery Park Plaza one of the most desirable office destinations in the borough.
A Building Designed for the Modern Tenant
One Battery Park Plaza isn't resting on the strength of its history alone. The tower has made significant strides in aligning itself with the demands of today's most forward-thinking office occupants. The building has achieved the WELL Health-Safety Rating, a globally recognized certification that signals a commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of everyone who works within its walls — an increasingly important credential in the post-pandemic commercial real estate landscape.
Additionally, One Battery Park Plaza holds WiredScore Platinum certification, placing it among the most digitally connected and technologically resilient office buildings in New York City. This designation ensures that tenants have access to best-in-class connectivity infrastructure, a critical feature for firms operating in today's tech-driven work environment.
The building also utilizes Nantum, widely regarded as the world's most advanced building operating system. Nantum's AI-driven platform optimizes building performance in real time, managing energy consumption, occupancy data, and operational efficiency in ways that reduce environmental impact and improve the overall tenant experience. For a firm like Curtis + Ginsberg — whose practice is rooted in sustainable design principles — this alignment between their values and the values embedded in the building itself makes the move all the more fitting.
What This Lease Means for Lower Manhattan's Commercial Market
The Curtis + Ginsberg lease at One Battery Park Plaza arrives at a time when Lower Manhattan's office market continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a post-pandemic commercial real estate environment. Deals of this nature — where established firms not only choose to stay in the neighborhood but actively expand their footprints — send a positive signal about the area's long-term viability as a premier business district.
Lower Manhattan has long benefited from its unique combination of historic architecture, waterfront access, transit connectivity, and a growing residential population that is reshaping the neighborhood's identity around the clock. The conversion of 55 Broad Street into nearly 600 residential units is itself part of this broader trend, as older office buildings are repurposed to meet housing demand while newer and upgraded properties like One Battery Park Plaza absorb the tenants seeking top-tier commercial space.
For Rudin, the transaction is another demonstration of its ability to manage its portfolio strategically — retaining valued tenant relationships even as individual properties change hands or shift use. For Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, it is the beginning of an exciting new phase, with a larger, more inspiring workspace from which to continue designing buildings and communities that endure.
Looking Ahead
With the move anticipated in the third quarter of 2023, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects will soon settle into their new 27th-floor home overlooking New York Harbor. As the firm grows into its expanded space at one of Lower Manhattan's most storied office towers, it carries with it a mission that resonates deeply with the building it now calls home: designing spaces that serve people, communities, and the environment — one thoughtful project at a time.