Author: Steven Llorens

As we head into 2026, a critical question we hear from small to mid-market office owners is whether the resurgence of Manhattan office truly benefits everyone—or mainly rewards the top tier. Class A space continues to dominate leasing activity, and rising rents are widening the gap between prime and non-prime assets. How will small and mid-market owners adapt before this divide becomes even harder to close?

As the City Council wrapped up its final meeting with its current membership, we watched closely as several housing and real estate measures passed, leaving a lasting imprint on New York City’s housing market. The timing couldn’t be more critical: the incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, aims to build 200,000 affordable units over the next decade, but these bills could make that goal more difficult.

Multifamily and industrial remain strong pillars, office is stabilizing in pockets, and private buyers continue to set the pace. As long as confidence holds and financing remains accessible, we expect this momentum to carry through in 2026.

Many CRE stakeholders struggle to balance profitability with long-term value creation, community impact, and adaptability to regulatory and environmental pressures.
This is where urban design becomes essential. Urban design is the deliberate shaping of buildings, streets, and public spaces to create functional, beautiful, and well-connected environments.

The C5–C8 commercial districts illustrate the full spectrum of New York City’s economic geography — from sky-high office towers to ground-level service hubs. For commercial real estate professionals, understanding these districts is more than an academic exercise — it’s a strategic necessity.

At NYCCREA, we view The Manhattan Plan as a transformational opportunity. This isn’t just about adding 100,000 homes—it’s about redefining how the city grows, ensuring that Manhattan remains not just a center of commerce, but a livable, inclusive, and sustainable urban hub for the next generation.

As commercial real estate professionals who work across the Bronx, we see firsthand how thoughtful planning can transform neighborhoods without losing their soul. We want to ensure that future growth along White Plains Road supports affordable housing, local business vitality, and a thriving commercial ecosystem that reflects the people who live here.

At NYCCREA, we believe the Green Fast Track is more than a housing policy — it’s an economic policy. We see this policy as a real turning point. By cutting through years of red tape, the city isn’t just helping housing get built faster — it’s also pushing forward climate goals and creating fresh momentum for commercial real estate.

We at the New York City Commercial Real Estate Advisors (NYCCREA) brokers are excited to share why Atlantic Avenue is Brooklyn’s Best CRE Opportunity in 2025. After more than a decade of community input, this plan was officially adopted by the City Council on May 28, 2025, and it represents a bold reimagining of one of Brooklyn’s most important east–west corridors.

A proposed rent freeze in New York City could gut investor returns, making many office-to-residential conversions financially unworkable. Office conversions offer a quicker path to creating new housing as a rent freeze provides long-term affordability for tenants.