New York City has a way of swallowing buildings whole. You can walk past a forty-story skyscraper and not even blink, mostly because your brain is trying to filter out the noise, the tourists, and the smell of roasted nuts. But 11 Times Square is different. It’s that massive, glass-shrouded tower sitting right on the corner of 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue, looking like it’s trying to lean away from the chaos of the Port Authority Bus Terminal while simultaneously leaning into the prestige of the Crossroads of the World. Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle the thing ever got built.
Construction finished right around 2010. If you remember that era, the economy was basically a dumpster fire. People thought SJP Properties, the developer, was out of their minds for putting up a speculative 1.1 million-square-foot office tower during a global financial crisis. Yet, here we are over a decade later, and it’s still one of the most significant pieces of real estate in Midtown Manhattan.
It isn't just about glass and steel. It’s about how tech giants and law firms decided that being in the center of the madness was actually a competitive advantage.
The Architecture of a Tech Fortress
When you look at the design by FXCollaborative (formerly FXFowle), you notice the sharp angles. It doesn't look like the stodgy, limestone buildings of old New York. It’s aggressive. The building stands 40 stories tall, and the curtain wall—that’s the glass exterior—is designed to be incredibly energy efficient. This was one of the early LEED Gold certified towers in the area.
✨ Don't miss: Outlets North Phoenix Growth: Why This Retail Hub Is Actually Winning
They used a lot of low-E glass. Basically, it lets the light in but keeps the heat out so the AC doesn't have to work overtime.
The lobby is where things get weirdly calm. You step off the street, which is usually a nightmare of commuters sprinting for the subway, and suddenly you’re in this high-ceilinged, serene space with a massive kinetic sculpture. It’s a complete 180 from the Eighth Avenue grit outside. This contrast is exactly why companies like Microsoft and Proskauer Rose signed such massive leases there. They wanted the accessibility of the Times Square transit hub without the stress of feeling like they were working in a theme park.
Who Actually Works at 11 Times Square?
For a long time, the anchor tenant was Proskauer Rose. They are a massive international law firm. Moving a white-shoe law firm to Times Square back in the day was a huge gamble. Traditionally, those firms wanted to be on Park Avenue or near Grand Central. Moving to 42nd and 8th? People thought it was "too loud" or "too commercial."
But then Microsoft moved in.
That changed the narrative. Microsoft took over 200,000 square feet, moving their New York headquarters from Sixth Avenue. They didn't just want office space; they wanted a billboard. If you’ve ever walked by, you’ve seen the Microsoft logo glowing near the top. It signaled that Times Square wasn't just for Elmo performers and M&M stores anymore; it was a legitimate tech corridor.
The Tenant Mix
- Microsoft: Their presence includes the Microsoft Technology Center (MTC), which is basically a playground for enterprise customers to see how their software works on a massive scale.
- Proskauer Rose: Occupies the upper third of the building, proving that lawyers actually like floor-to-ceiling windows and high-speed elevators just as much as techies.
- Spanish Broadcasting System: They have a presence here too, adding to the media vibe of the neighborhood.
- Foot Locker: Their global headquarters is tucked in here as well.
It’s a strange mix. You’ve got people litigating billion-dollar deals on the 30th floor while people are buying sneakers in the retail space at the base. That is peak New York.
The "Port Authority" Problem
We have to talk about the location. 11 Times Square sits directly across from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. If you live in NYC, you know that the Port Authority is... let’s call it "character-building." It’s crowded, it’s confusing, and for years, it made the immediate surrounding blocks feel a little less "Class A" than the rest of Midtown.
But the developers of 11 Times Square bet on the fact that convenience beats aesthetics.
Think about it. Every single subway line—the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S, A, C, and E—is within a three-minute walk. If you’re an employer trying to get people back into the office in 2026, you can’t make them commute for two hours and then walk another fifteen minutes from the station. You put them right on top of the hub. That’s the "secret sauce" of this building. It’s arguably the most accessible office tower in the entire world.
The Tech Inside the Glass
The building isn't just a shell. The floor plates are massive—some are 30,000 square feet, others are closer to 40,000. In the office world, big floor plates are gold. It means you can have an entire department on one floor instead of splitting them across three floors connected by slow internal stairs.
Microsoft, for instance, used this to create open-plan environments that were way ahead of their time. They integrated high-density wireless, modular meeting rooms, and "hoteling" stations long before the pandemic made those things mandatory.
Also, the elevators are "destination dispatch." You don't just get in and press a button. You tap your floor on a screen outside, and it tells you which car to go to. It’s more efficient, but let’s be real, it still confuses the heck out of visitors for the first thirty seconds.
Surprising Facts and Misconceptions
People often confuse 11 Times Square with the New York Times Building (which is 620 Eighth Avenue) right across the street. They both have that modern, glassy look. But while the Times building has those external ceramic rods (which some people say look like a cage), 11 Times Square is much sleeker.
Another misconception: that it’s just another tourist trap.
Actually, the building is built like a bunker. Because of its proximity to such a high-traffic area, the security protocols are intense. You aren't just wandering into the Microsoft offices without an invite and a high-res photo of your ID. It’s one of the most secure private environments in the city.
📖 Related: BEGG: Why This Niche Logistics Strategy Still Matters in 2026
The Retail Reality
The ground floor has seen some changes. For a while, there was a massive restaurant called Señor Frog’s. Honestly? It was a weird fit. You had high-powered attorneys walking past a place known for yard-long margaritas and loud music. It eventually closed, and that space has been part of the ongoing evolution of the building's street-level identity.
Today, the retail is more focused on global brands like Foot Locker, which makes way more sense. It aligns with the "commercial powerhouse" vibe rather than the "spring break" vibe.
Is it still worth it in 2026?
With the rise of remote work, people keep asking if these massive Midtown towers are dinosaurs. They aren't. But the bar has been raised. 11 Times Square survives because it offers what a home office can't:
- Redundant Power: If the grid goes wonky, these firms have massive backup systems. Your home Wi-Fi can't compete with that.
- Air Quality: The HVAC systems here are light-years ahead of old pre-war buildings. They filter air at a rate that makes a typical apartment feel like a dusty attic.
- The View: Looking out over the Hudson River on one side and the neon glow of Times Square on the other is a hell of a recruiting tool.
Navigating the Building: A Practical Guide
If you have a meeting at 11 Times Square, don't show up at the last minute. The security process is thorough. You’ll need a government-issued ID. Once you’re through the gates, the elevator system is fast, but the building is huge—allow five minutes just to get from the street to your actual meeting room.
If you’re a tourist, you can't go up. There’s no observation deck here. For that, you’ll have to head to the Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt. 11 Times Square is a place of work, not a place of sightseeing, though the exterior is definitely worth a photo if you like modern architecture.
Actionable Takeaways for Businesses and Commuters
- For Companies: If you’re looking at NYC office space, 11 Times Square represents the "Flight to Quality" trend. Tenants are leaving older buildings for "Class A" spaces like this because the amenities and transit access help lure employees back to the office.
- For Commuters: Use the 42nd St/Port Authority exits, specifically the ones toward Eighth Avenue. If you come out of the Seventh Avenue side, you’ll have to fight through the "naked cowboy" crowds just to get to your desk.
- For Tech Enthusiasts: Keep an eye on the Microsoft Technology Center schedule. They often host industry-specific events that give you a rare look inside the building’s upper floors.
Basically, 11 Times Square is a survivor. It was born in a recession, thrived in a tech boom, and is now anchoring the west side of Midtown as the city pivots toward a more tech-heavy future. It’s loud, it’s glassy, and it’s undeniably New York.