Dumbo Draws 160-Plus Design Firms With Cheaper Rents and Loft Offices
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 11
Dumbo Draws 160-Plus Design Firms With Cheaper Rents and Loft Offices
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 11
More than 160 architecture and design companies now have offices, stores or studios in and around Dumbo, according to the Dumbo Business Improvement District.
Discounted rents versus much of Manhattan, plus restored loft buildings, abundant light and active street life, have helped turn the Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood into a magnet for firms.
Snohetta moved to Dumbo in December from Manhattan’s Financial District, joining rivals including Bjarke Ingels Group in a cluster that firms say encourages collaboration and word-of-mouth growth.
The shift adds a professional identity to a neighborhood better known for cobblestone streets, waterfront views and tourists photographing the Manhattan Bridge.
With luxury condos soaring, how long can Dumbo's rent discounts last for the creative firms that define its appeal?
As AI threatens creative jobs, can Dumbo's collaborative physical space offer a real defense for architects and designers?