The Ultimate Guide to Renting Private Office Space in NYC

“Renting a private office space in NYC has…changed. Before, the market was all about traditional, long-term leases. Now, flexible workspaces are on the rise, and they’re becoming a well-sought-out option.

Yet many companies struggle to find them. Even in 2025, with New York boasting 386 coworking spaces, they’re still in the minority. And once a space is found, many treat the process like a traditional lease: enquiring directly and losing hours to admin. 

But at Hubble, we make it simple. In this guide, we’ll share practical advice on renting a private office in New York—backed by real data, market trends, and over a decade of experience helping people find the perfect private office on a flexible lease.”

Tushar Agarwal

CEO and Co-Founder, Hubble

• What is a private office?
• Office options in NYC
• How much does it cost?
• Top private office locations in NYC
• How to rent a private office in NYC
• FAQs

What is a private office (and why are they popular)?

Now that flexible working is all the rage, private offices have transformed. Unlike a blank canvas you have to furnish and set up yourself, these private office spaces are fully equipped and ready to go from day one. 

This means all your utilities, bills, and daily maintenance of the office are managed by a separate company, the workspace provider. No broadband to install or furniture to vet and buy—everything is already taken care of so you can hit the ground running. 

What’s more, the companies behind these workspaces compete to stand out, so you’ll often find amenities such as gyms, bike storage, rooftop terraces, and events included in your monthly rent.

These spaces also give you way more flexibility than traditional leases, with contracts starting from one month and up to a few years. This makes them ideal for startups, scaleups, or any-sized business prioritising agility in the near future. 

To summarise…

What are the benefits of renting a private office space in NYC? 

1) Privacy 

Okay, the clue’s the name. But a private office gives your team a dedicated space away from the noise and distractions of shared environments, like the non-stop hiss of the coffee machine or the Zoom calls that should really be in a phone booth. 

And while you avoid day-to-day distractions, your business maintains ongoing confidentiality. All sensitive conversations, client calls, and ‘on-the-down-low’ projects can be handled without fear of competitors eavesdropping. It’s a win-win! 

2) Professionalism 

Having your own office space elevates your brand image. Let’s say you invite an interview candidate or prospective client to a meeting. Having your own private workspace with a prestigious New York City address shows credibility and stability.

In other words, you mean business!

3) Agility 

Flexible private offices also allow businesses to scale up or down as needed, without the burden of long leases or forking out on hefty exit fees. 

Whether you need extra desks during a busy season or want to downsize to reduce costs, you can adapt your space as your business needs change.

One of our customers did the same…

Lobster, a fast-growing visual content platform, needed a private office that offered focus and privacy without losing the buzz of a shared environment.

Through Hubble, they found the perfect balance—a self-contained office within a coworking building that gave them the flexibility to grow without being tied to a long lease.

The team moved in within days, with everything ready from day one. No fit-out costs, no waiting around. As their needs evolved, the space adapted with them, proving how flexible private offices make scaling up or down simple and stress-free!

Office Options in NYC (Serviced vs Coworking vs Leased)

Okay, quick recap time. So far, we’ve covered “serviced offices” in NYC—the type of private office rental where everything is set up and ready to go from move-in day. 

But those aren’t your only choices. Coworking spaces and traditional leased offices (the type you’re most familiar with) are also potential candidates for you to consider. 

Here’s a quick lowdown on both, so you know what you’re dealing with:

Coworking/shared workspaces

If you rent a private office space in New York City, chances are it’s located within a coworking space.

Coworking spaces are a mix of shared office space, business centre, and café—and while serviced offices are located within them, you don’t need to rent one to use the space. 

Instead, you can simply show up and choose from the rows of desks available for anyone to use, no matter the company.

You might wonder why this differs from simply grabbing a seat at Bloomingdale Library or your favorite Stumptown café. The answer is in the amenities and networking opportunities. 

Like private office rentals, coworking providers are incentivized to go the extra mile, offering perks such as gyms, podcast studios, and community events.

These benefits are either included in a monthly membership or available on-demand—the latter letting you drop into almost any coworking space across New York City on a day that suits you.

Traditional leased offices

Now let’s talk about an office solution most people are familiar with: leased offices. 

These are rented directly from a building’s landlord, typically on a price-per-square-foot basis, with a substantial deposit required upfront.

With a lease, the space is yours to design however you like. There’s no third party involved, but that also means the responsibility falls on you—from fit-out to furniture—requiring significant time and financial investment.

Although leases are more complex than license agreements (the ones used for flexible office spaces), they do give businesses greater autonomy over their workspace. But the entire process is yours to manage, no one else’s.

What are the pros and cons of each office option?

How much does it cost?

In NYC, private office rentals typically range from $300 to $800+ per person, per month. The exact price will depend on a few things, like location and office size, so a bit of research is key to arriving at a realistic figure.

Step One: Determine how much office space you’ll need

The first step is to determine how much office space you’ll need, which means thinking in terms of ‘square footage’. Because pricing is based on the number of people (or desks), knowing your square footage helps you estimate how many desks will fit—and therefore, the likely cost. 

As a rule of thumb, serviced offices across New York City average 40 to 60 sq. ft. per employee. Then, the next step is to determine how many people will use the office. 

Of course, this depends on your workspace strategy. If your team is fully office-based—with employees in the office five days a week—the math is simple: multiply your headcount by the average cost per employee. 

For example, with 35 employees and an average of $300–$800 per person, you’d be paying between $10,500 and $28,000 per month for a private office in NYC.

But if you’re a hybrid company, things work a little differently. Since your entire team isn’t likely to be in the office at the same time, you don’t need a desk for everyone. Just enough to cover the people or teams who come in on a given day. 

If you have a set-day hybrid strategy—where teams come in on specific days—you already have a head start. Use your team schedule to estimate how many people will be in on your busiest day. 

For example, let’s say you have 35 employees. Your customer success and sales teams might be in most days, while tech and marketing rotate a few days a week. 

On your busiest days, that might mean around 20–22 people in the office at once. At an average cost of $300–$800 per person, that’s approximately $6,000–$17,600 per month, compared to $10,500–$28,000 if every employee had their own desk.

Step Two: Do your research on locations 

As mentioned earlier, the cost of a private office space in NYC varies depending on where you’re looking. While prices shift from place to place, space requirements remain fairly consistent—most teams need around 40–60 sq. ft. per person.

That means once you know how much space you need, location becomes the key factor driving cost. For instance, the same 10-person office (roughly 400–600 sq. ft.) might cost more in Midtown than in Brooklyn or downtown Manhattan.

Here’s a quick look at average desk costs across different parts of the city:

Top Private Office Locations in NYC

The neighborhood you choose for a private office is a big decision. It can shape everything from your team’s commute to your company culture. 

Each pocket of New York City has its own vibe, price point, and perks, which can play a big role in encouraging employees to come in or attracting new talent.

Next, we’ll walk through some of the most popular areas for private offices in New York: from Midtown and the Financial District to Flatiron, SoHo, Brooklyn, and Queens (Long Island City).

Manhattan

First up, we’ve got Manhattan. With over 2,280 private offices to choose from, Manhattan is a booming place to base your business. 

Home to towering skyscrapers, the iconic Empire State building, and Central Park, this neighborhood has a lot to offer. 

Manhattan’s vibe is a mix of finance, tech, media, and creative industries, so it’s easy to find a spot that fits your sector and culture.

And thanks to its extensive subway network, commuting is really easy. Major intersections, multiple train lines, and office clusters on every corner make it one of the most accessible locations in the city.

Within Manhattan, Midtown is a major draw, especially Midtown East and West, where flex space continues to grow. Flex space here is slightly above the city average, with Midtown West averaging around $671 per desk per month. 

Office costs vary across the borough, with higher prices in areas like Chelsea and more affordable options downtown in the Financial District. But on average, a full-time desk in Manhattan costs around $640 per month.

Here’s how that breaks down across different parts of the borough:

Brooklyn

Next up is Brooklyn. 

While it doesn’t match Manhattan’s sheer volume, Brooklyn is seeing real momentum in its selection of flexible private offices. In 2025, outer boroughs (like Brooklyn) saw some of the strongest growth in coworking inventory, up 8.04% year over year.

With creativity, community, and better value, it’s fast becoming a hotspot for teams that want big-city access without Manhattan-level costs. 

Brooklyn’s overall vibe comes from tech, startups, and creative firms, many of whom are drawn to its tree-lined streets, local feel, and slower pace. And with fewer tourists, plenty of small cafes, and easy access to green spaces like Prospect Park, Brooklyn offers a more grounded, day-to-day rhythm.

It’s also part of the growing “hub-and-spoke” model. Fewer people commute into Manhattan full-time, so many companies are opening satellite offices in Brooklyn to be closer to where employees live. 

Commuting is just as manageable here, with multiple subway lines and connections running through many Brooklyn neighborhoods.

And while exact office costs depend on location, size, and amenities, the average price per desk is around $605 per month.

Queens (Long Island City)

If you’re keen to be close to Manhattan without being right in the thick of it, Queens (Long Island City) is a good option.

For starters, commuting is a piece of cake; it’s just one subway stop from Midtown on the 7, E, M, and G lines, and there’s also a ferry across the East River. So it’s super easy for teams coming from all directions to get to.

The vibe in Queens is calm, practical, and less crowded than Midtown, but you still have plenty of offices to choose from. Coworking and flexible workspaces in NYC’s outer areas (like Queens) grew by over 8% between 2024 and 2025, with prices less than half of what you’d typically pay in Manhattan or Brooklyn.

This means companies settling in Queens often get more room or better amenities for the same budget, making it an affordable option for teams who want shorter commutes and good value. 

How to Rent a Private Office Space in NYC 

Okay, now that you’ve got a good gist of the workspace options in NYC, including neighborhood vibes to price points, it’s time to walk through the step-by-step process of renting a private office:

Step One: Define what you need

We’ve covered this briefly, but defining what you need is a good place to start. For example:

What office size do you need? How many desks should it have? Is an internal meeting room non-negotiable, or are you happy to use shared ones? Do you need amenities like event space or pet-friendly spaces to support your team?

Some of these answers will come straight from your workspace strategy. For example, if you’re fully office-based, you’ll already know you need a desk for every employee, five days a week. If your team’s hybrid, you’ll plan for peak occupancy, not total headcount.

But some questions need concrete answers, and the best way to get them is through an employee survey. This will give you real data on how many desks you actually need, which locations your team prefers, and what matters most to them.

Here are some sample questions to include in your survey:

Step Two: Pick your neighborhood

Your survey data will give you a clear idea of which parts of New York City to start looking at. From there, you can dig deeper and get more granular on desk prices in different neighborhoods.

Choosing a location early also helps shape your budget and set clear expectations on what you’ll pay per desk.

Our workspace advisors at Hubble can help fast-track this step. You can browse spaces on our marketplace or schedule a call with the team; they’ll match you with workspaces that fit your budget and give you a shortlist of options.

Step Three: Search smart

Once you’ve defined what you need and picked your neighborhood, it’s time to start your search. In New York, where the flexible office market is huge, how you search can make a big difference to how easy the rest of the process feels. Here are the two main ways:

1) Go direct to providers

You can go direct to individual workspace operators, like WeWork, which gives you the chance to hand-pick buildings and negotiate one-on-one. 

But it also means managing multiple conversations, tours, pricing structures, and contracts—which can be time-consuming if you’re exploring more than one area.

2) Work with a flexible workspace provider

Alternatively, you can work with a flexible workspace provider. They bring everything together in one place, helping you compare spaces side by side, understand real pricing, and shortlist the best options for your needs and budget. 

Plus, because they work with many operators, they often have access to exclusive deals and availability that you won’t find just by searching online. 

Step Four: Tour your shortlist

Once you’ve got your shortlist, the next step is to visit each space—either in person or virtually.

Our top tip is to not just focus on square footage. Pay attention to how the space actually feels. Is it light and airy? What are the noise levels like? Are the communal areas up to scratch? These are the details you can’t really gauge from a website.

And don’t forget the practical stuff, too. Things like building access, lifts, and, of course, what lunch spots and coffee places are nearby. Your team will thank you later.

Step Five: Compare your options

Once you’ve toured a few spaces, it’s time to weigh them up side by side. 

This is where you look beyond first impressions and focus on what really matters to your team and your budget.

Once you’ve toured a few spaces, it’s time to line them up and look closely at the details that actually make a difference:

• Price per desk or office: Check how pricing is structured. Some operators offer all-inclusive rates, while others may charge extra for meeting room credits, printing, or premium amenities.
  
• Location and commute: How easy is it to get there by subway or ferry? Will the journey work for most of your team?
  
• Amenities and access: Look beyond the standard. Does the space offer competitive facilities like gyms, on-site cafés, or podcast studios? Do you get 24/7 access or fixed hours?
  
• Overall fit: Think about the vibe of the space, building quality, and how well it matches your company culture.

Step Six: Sign and secure your space

The nice thing about flexible offices is that there’s no drawn-out lease process. 

Once you’ve picked your space, you can usually sign and get the keys within a few days. 

Just make sure you’ve double-checked what’s included in your membership so nothing catches you off guard later!

Step Seven: Move in and get started

Once you’ve signed, things move fast,  but a little planning makes all the difference. 

Start with a to-do list and inventory so you know what’s coming with you and what needs buying. 

If you’re bringing anything of your own, book a removal company early, get quotes, and sort packing materials in advance.

Don’t forget the admin, like updating your company address and phone number and setting up mail redirection. 

And involve your team! Appointing department reps or a move champion helps flag issues early and keeps everyone engaged. A smooth move-in is much easier when the whole team’s on board.

FAQs 

How early should I start searching for NYC private office rentals?

It’s best to start your search around three months before you need to move.

While flexible spaces can be ready in days, starting early gives you more choice, better pricing, and time to compare neighborhoods. It also means less stress when moving day comes around.

What’s included in the cost of NYC office space?

Most private offices in NYC are fully serviced, so the monthly fee usually covers everything, such as furniture, Wi-Fi, cleaning, utilities, and access to shared spaces like meeting rooms and kitchens. It’s a simple, all-in-one cost, which makes budgeting much easier than with a traditional lease.

Are there hidden fees for NYC office space? 

Not usually. Most serviced offices are all-inclusive, but it’s smart to check the fine print. Some providers may charge extra for things like meeting room credits, printing, or premium amenities. Ask upfront so there are no surprises later.

What does “flexible office space” mean in NYC?

Flexible office space refers to fully furnished, ready-to-use offices that can be rented on short-term agreements—typically month-to-month or up to 12 months.

You get private offices, coworking areas, and shared amenities (meeting rooms, kitchens, lounges) without the hassle of a long lease or fit-out costs.

Providers manage cleaning, Wi-Fi, and maintenance, so you can move in within days. It’s ideal for startups, remote teams, and companies needing scalable space across Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens.

How quickly can I move into a flexible office in NYC?

Usually within a few days. Because flexible offices are fully fitted and furnished, you simply sign an agreement, pay a security deposit (typically one month’s rent), and move straight in.

There’s no construction, IT installation, or long legal process—making it ideal for companies needing immediate workspace after funding rounds, mergers, or relocations.

Are flexible offices suitable for larger teams or just startups?

They now cater to all sizes. While coworking began with freelancers and startups, NYC flexible workspace providers now support teams of 2 to 200+ with private suites, entire floors, or managed custom offices.

Many offer branding options, dedicated meeting rooms, and secure access control. Larger firms often use flexible space for project teams, hybrid working hubs, or swing space during renovations.

What’s the difference between coworking and a private flexible office?

Coworking usually means shared desks or dedicated desks in an open area with access to communal amenities. A private, flexible office provides your team with an enclosed, lockable room (or suite) within the same building, offering privacy while still benefiting from shared services.

Both operate on flexible terms, but private offices provide more control over layout, storage, and confidentiality, which many growing teams prefer.