As 2025 comes to a close, Spectorgroup’s Director of Creative + Strategy, Lauren Gardner, reflects on a year defined by renewed confidence in New York City’s office market—and a shift toward smarter, more flexible workplace strategies.
Despite national conversations around downsizing, NYC told a different story. Many organizations expanded or even doubled their footprints, signaling a strong belief in the workplace as a driver of culture, collaboration, and growth.
Looking ahead, Lauren points to the rise of co-working and mini private suites within office buildings as a key trend. These spaces offer tenants flexibility to grow or adapt while giving landlords a new way to engage emerging companies and support evolving needs.
2025 also marked several standout projects for Spectorgroup, including a 200,000 SF headquarters for Alvarez & Marsal and new Manhattan offices for MidOcean Partners and Dorsey & Whitney—each designed to support agility, identity, and long-term growth.
As the market moves into 2026, one thing is clear: the future workplace is less about doing more with less, and more about designing spaces that are adaptable, intentional, and human-centered.