If you’ve ever found yourself standing on the corner of 33rd and Broadway, crane your neck. Most people are busy staring up at the Empire State Building just a block away. It's the tourist magnet. But the real pulse of Midtown South business often beats inside a massive, 26-story limestone and brick giant known as 111 W 33rd St New York NY 10001.
It’s an interesting spot. Honestly, it’s one of those buildings that defines the "Herald Square" experience, yet most people just walk right past it to get to Macy’s. Built in 1954, it doesn't have the Art Deco flair of the 1920s skyscrapers, but it has something much better for modern companies: massive floor plates. We are talking about nearly 700,000 square feet of office space right in the middle of everything.
It's basically the headquarters for a bunch of brands you probably use every day.
What’s Actually Inside 111 W 33rd St?
You can’t talk about this address without talking about Foot Locker. They’ve basically claimed this building as their home base. For years, the global headquarters for Foot Locker, Inc. has been anchored here, occupying a huge chunk of the upper floors. It makes sense. If you are a global retail powerhouse, you want to be exactly where the shoppers are, and 111 W 33rd St sits right on the edge of one of the busiest retail corridors on the planet.
But it’s not just sneakers.
The building is owned and managed by Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT). That’s the same REIT that owns the Empire State Building. Because of that connection, the building has seen a massive "flight to quality" renovation over the last decade. They didn't just paint the walls; they completely overhauled the lobby, upgraded the elevators, and installed high-end MERV 13 filters for air quality.
The Retail Powerhouse at the Base
While the offices hum upstairs, the street level is a different beast entirely. You’ve probably seen the massive Target. It’s one of those "small-format" stores that Target started rolling out in dense urban areas, and it serves as a literal lifeline for the thousands of people who live in Chelsea and Midtown and don't want to trek to a suburban big-box store.
Then there’s Sephora. It’s loud. It’s bright. It’s always packed.
This mix of high-traffic retail and corporate headquarters creates a weird energy. You have C-suite executives riding the same elevators—or at least walking through the same doors—as teenagers looking for the latest Fenty Beauty drop. It’s New York in a nutshell.
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Why Location Actually Matters Here
Logistics are boring until you have to commute in a snowstorm. Then they are everything.
111 W 33rd St New York NY 10001 is basically sitting on top of a transit goldmine. You have the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W trains right at the Herald Square station. If you’re coming from New Jersey? The PATH is right there. Coming from Long Island or Westchester? Penn Station is a five-minute walk. That is why companies stay here despite the rent prices. You can’t find a better spot for employee retention if your workforce is spread across the tri-state area.
Think about the context of the neighborhood.
For a long time, Midtown South was the "gritty" alternative to the glitz of Midtown East or the Financial District. But that’s changed. The Penn District—which is what they’re calling the area around Penn Station now—is undergoing a multi-billion dollar transformation. With the opening of Moynihan Train Hall nearby, the "vibe" of 33rd Street has shifted from "congested transit hub" to "modern business district."
The Architectural Reality
Look, 111 W 33rd St isn't going to win any beauty contests against the Chrysler Building. It was designed by the firm Kahn & Jacobs. In the 1950s, they weren't building for ego; they were building for efficiency.
The windows are large. The light is surprisingly good because the building isn't completely hemmed in by taller towers on all sides. ESRT has leaned into this, creating "pre-built" office suites that look more like a Silicon Valley startup than a stodgy law firm. We're talking exposed ceilings, polished concrete floors, and open floor plans.
It’s a strategic pivot.
By making the interiors look like a tech hub, they’ve managed to attract tenants that might have otherwise looked at SoHo or the Meatpacking District. But those neighborhoods don't have the transit access that 33rd Street offers. It’s a trade-off: you give up the cobblestone streets for a 20-minute shorter commute. Most people take that deal.
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What Most People Get Wrong About 10001
There is a huge misconception that this part of Manhattan is "just for tourists."
Yeah, the 34th Street corridor is a nightmare on a Saturday afternoon in December. But 111 W 33rd St operates on a different rhythm. If you go there at 8:30 AM on a Tuesday, it’s a high-speed lane of commuters.
The building also has some serious "green" credentials that people miss. ESRT has been pretty aggressive about carbon neutrality. They use 100% renewable energy across their entire portfolio. In a city where "Local Law 97" is about to start hitting building owners with massive fines for carbon emissions, 111 W 33rd is ahead of the curve. That matters for big companies like Foot Locker who have to report their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) scores to shareholders.
Navigating the Building
If you’re heading there for a meeting or an interview, don't just show up two minutes before.
Security is tight. Like most Class A office buildings in NYC post-9/11, you need a government-issued ID and a pre-registered pass to get past the turnstiles. The lobby is sleek—lots of stone and glass—but it can get bottlenecked during the morning rush.
Pro tip: The entrance is on 33rd Street, but the building actually stretches a bit. Don't confuse it with the entrances for the retail shops. The office entrance is distinct and much more "corporate" than the Target entrance.
The Rent Factor: Is it Worth It?
Let's talk numbers, roughly.
Office space in this zip code usually trades somewhere between $60 and $80 per square foot, depending on the floor and the view. If you want a renovated suite on a high floor with a view of the Empire State Building, you’re paying a premium.
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Is it expensive? Yes.
Is it worth it? For a specific type of business, absolutely.
If your business relies on foot traffic, or if you need to be within walking distance of the garment district, or if you just want your employees to actually show up to the office because it’s easy to get to, the math works out. You aren't just paying for the four walls; you’re paying for the 10 subway lines that converge outside your front door.
What Really Matters: The Neighborhood Perks
One thing people love about working at 111 W 33rd St is the food. You aren't stuck with just overpriced salads.
- Koreatown: Just a couple blocks away on 32nd Street. You can get world-class BBQ or quick bibimbap on your lunch break.
- The Food Halls: Between Urbanspace and the various options in Penn Station, the variety is insane.
- Bryant Park: It’s a ten-minute walk. In the summer, that’s where you go to actually see grass and decompress.
It’s a "work-hard, play-hard" kind of location. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s unapologetically New York.
Actionable Insights for Tenants and Visitors
If you are looking to lease space or just visiting for the day, keep these things in mind to avoid the "tourist traps" and logistical headaches:
- Check the HVAC Specs: If you’re a tenant, ask about the atmospheric monitoring. ESRT is one of the few landlords that provides real-time data on air quality to their tenants. It’s a huge selling point for health-conscious employees.
- Use the 33rd St PATH Entrance: If you’re coming from Jersey, don't go through the main Penn Station mess. There is a PATH entrance almost directly adjacent to the building that is much faster.
- Avoid the Macy’s Crowd: If you need to grab lunch, head south toward 30th or 31st street. The prices drop and the crowds thin out significantly compared to the 34th street madness.
- Security Clearance: Always ensure your host has added you to the "Building Engines" or similar visitor management system at least 24 hours in advance. "Calling up" from the lobby is a 50/50 shot and usually takes forever.
111 W 33rd St New York NY 10001 might not have a movie made about it like its neighbor across the street, but as a piece of functional, high-value Manhattan real estate, it’s hard to beat. It represents the mid-century backbone of the city—sturdy, efficient, and perfectly positioned for whatever comes next in the world of New York business.
To make the most of this location, whether you're scouting for office space or just visiting a client, you should prioritize transit-oriented planning. Use the 33rd Street corridor for its logistical strengths, leveraging the proximity to Penn Station and the Herald Square subway hub to minimize travel time. For businesses, focus on the ESG benefits of being in a LEED-certified, renewable-energy-powered building to align with modern corporate standards.