Edelman New York City

For global communications firms, the workplace has become a primary expression of brand and culture, especially as the competition for creative talent intensifies. Edelman’s New York headquarters no longer reflected its culture or creative ambition. The former warehouse felt closed off and disconnected from the city. The client sought a workplace that felt distinctly New York, with presence and purpose. The design also needed to adapt to support a fast-paced production workforce and remain functional through a phased transformation.

The “Authentically NY” concept draws from SoHo’s industrial character, the subway’s graphic energy, and the layered texture of New York storefronts, expressed through glass block, parquet flooring, and raw metal accents. A reworked floor stack improves connectivity and flow, while a dedicated editing floor supports production needs. The rooftop becomes an outdoor workspace, and furnishings warm the industrial base — together creating a cohesive, city-driven identity.

The completed space reinvigorated Edelman’s teams, sparking energy, pride, and a renewed sense of purpose. It set a new benchmark for the firm globally, inspiring other offices. The workplace naturally draws staff back without mandates, offering a compelling environment rooted in New York’s cultural pulse. Edelman New York now stands as a model for how a headquarters can embody both a company’s identity and the city it calls home.