Infinium Wall Systems, a premier manufacturer specializing in the design, engineering, and installation of high-end office wall systems and glass doors, has finalized a significant lease agreement for a new flagship location at 1359 Broadway. The deal, announced on Monday by the landlord, Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), encompasses 30,017 square feet of combined office and retail space. This strategic move represents a major expansion for the Ohio-based company, which currently maintains a presence at 44 East 32nd Street. The new space at 1359 Broadway is intended to serve as a high-profile showcase for the company’s innovative architectural solutions, leveraging the building’s prime location and modernized infrastructure to capture the attention of New York City’s design and real estate communities.
The transaction underscores a persistent trend in the Manhattan commercial real estate market: the "flight to quality." As corporations re-evaluate their physical footprints in a post-pandemic economy, there is a distinct preference for buildings that offer not just prime locations, but also superior environmental standards, modern amenities, and unique architectural features. For Infinium Wall Systems, the selection of 1359 Broadway was driven by a need for a space that could function both as a functional corporate headquarters and a high-traffic retail flagship where architects and developers can experience their products in a real-world setting.
Strategic Expansion in a Competitive Midtown Market
The relocation and expansion of Infinium Wall Systems to 1359 Broadway marks a pivotal chapter in the company’s growth strategy. Founded by Shawn Gaffney, Infinium has built a reputation for providing sleek, minimalist glass wall solutions that define modern office aesthetics. By securing a footprint of over 30,000 square feet, the company is more than doubling down on its commitment to the New York City market. The new facility is expected to integrate a sophisticated showroom with traditional office functions, allowing the firm to demonstrate its engineering capabilities directly to its primary client base—architects, interior designers, and commercial landlords.
The decision to move to 1359 Broadway followed an exhaustive search across the Midtown submarket. According to Shawn Gaffney, the choice was influenced by the building’s specific physical attributes and the landlord’s reputation. The space offers a coveted private entrance and a southern exposure that provides ample natural light—a critical factor for a company whose products are designed to maximize transparency and light flow within interior environments. Additionally, the inclusion of an outdoor terrace provides a premium amenity that has become increasingly essential for attracting and retaining talent in the current labor market.
Ryan Kass, Executive Vice President and Co-Head of Real Estate at Empire State Realty Trust, noted that the lease is a testament to the enduring appeal of well-located and modernized office assets. Kass emphasized that innovative firms are looking for "differentiated" spaces that align with their brand identity and corporate values, particularly regarding sustainability and building health.
The Asset: 1359 Broadway’s Historical Context and Modernization
Located in the heart of the Herald Square submarket, 1359 Broadway is a 22-story office tower that blends early 20th-century architectural character with 21st-century technology. Built in 1924, the property originally served the city’s bustling garment and mercantile trades. Over the past decade, Empire State Realty Trust has invested significantly in the property as part of its portfolio-wide upgrade program. These renovations have focused on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and the modernization of common areas and elevators.
The building’s location offers unparalleled transit access, situated just steps from the 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, W, B, D, F, and M subway lines, as well as the PATH train and Pennsylvania Station. This connectivity is a primary draw for tenants like Infinium, whose employees and clients travel from across the tri-state area. The building is already home to a diverse roster of tenants, including Scaled Cognition, an artificial intelligence firm, and the nonprofit organization Braven, illustrating the property’s broad appeal across the tech, social impact, and design sectors.
ESRT’s commitment to sustainability was a decisive factor for Infinium. The landlord has been a leader in implementing "green" retrofits, famously starting with the Empire State Building and extending those practices to its secondary assets. 1359 Broadway benefits from these initiatives, offering high-performance building systems that reduce carbon footprints—a priority for modern tenants who must report on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
Market Data and Economic Implications
The lease comes at a time when the Midtown office market is showing signs of stabilization despite broader economic headwinds. According to research from Colliers, the average asking rent for office space in Midtown reached $84.99 per square foot during the second quarter of 2026. While the specific financial terms of the Infinium deal—including the exact asking rent and lease duration—were not disclosed, the transaction aligns with the pricing seen for high-tier renovated assets in the Broadway corridor.
The Manhattan office market has undergone a significant transformation over the last three years. While vacancy rates in older, non-renovated buildings remain a concern, "Class A" and "Trophy" assets have seen robust leasing activity. The Infinium deal is representative of the "retail-ization" of office space, where companies utilize ground-floor or low-floor visibility to create a brand experience. By combining 30,000 square feet of office and retail, Infinium is effectively creating a "living billboard" for its wall systems in one of the most trafficked areas of the city.
This deal also highlights the role of specialized manufacturing and design firms in propping up the commercial sector. While financial services and law firms remain the bedrock of Midtown leasing, the growth of architecture-adjacent businesses suggests a healthy pipeline of renovation and construction activity throughout the city. If firms like Infinium are expanding, it indicates a long-term belief that New York’s office interiors will continue to be redesigned and upgraded in the years to come.
The Brokerage Teams and Deal Architecture
A complex lease of this magnitude required coordination between multiple high-profile brokerage teams. Infinium Wall Systems was represented by Artisan Alliance, with a team led by Sarah Pontius, Jerica Lam, Carleigh Bettiol, and Charlotte Reaman. Artisan Alliance has established itself as a boutique powerhouse capable of navigating the nuances of flagship retail and creative office requirements.
On the landlord side, Empire State Realty Trust utilized both its sophisticated in-house leasing team and external expertise from Cushman & Wakefield. The ESRT in-house representatives included Jordan Berger, Shanae Ursini, and Kerry Lavelle. They were supported by a Cushman & Wakefield team consisting of Robert Lowe, Ron Lo Russo, Anthony LoPresti, and Dan Organ.
The involvement of such a large group of professionals underscores the technical requirements of the lease. Because the space includes a private entrance and a terrace, the negotiations likely involved detailed discussions regarding building modifications, signage rights, and long-term maintenance of the outdoor areas. The "flagship" designation suggests that Infinium will be making a significant capital investment in the build-out of the space, further anchoring them to the 1359 Broadway location for the foreseeable future.
Broader Impact on the Midtown South and Herald Square Corridor
The arrival of Infinium Wall Systems at 1359 Broadway is more than just a single real estate transaction; it is a signal of the ongoing revitalization of the Herald Square and Midtown South corridor. Historically known as a retail and transit hub, this area has increasingly become a magnet for creative and tech-oriented firms that find the traditional corporate atmosphere of Park Avenue or Sixth Avenue too formal.
The presence of a flagship showroom for architectural products adds a new dimension to the neighborhood’s tenant mix. It encourages other design-oriented firms to consider the area, potentially creating a "design district" effect similar to what has been seen in the Flatiron District or SoHo. Furthermore, the activation of retail space by a non-traditional retailer (a wall system manufacturer rather than a clothing store or restaurant) reflects the evolving nature of urban storefronts.
For Empire State Realty Trust, this lease helps maintain the high occupancy levels of its Broadway corridor assets. ESRT has been aggressive in its pursuit of "new economy" tenants, moving away from the garment-centric history of these buildings toward a future defined by technology, sustainability, and high-end design. The successful leasing of 30,000 square feet to a stable, expanding firm like Infinium provides a solid foundation for the building’s valuation and future leasing efforts.
Chronology of the Deal and Future Outlook
The deal was officially announced on Monday, following months of negotiations and site evaluations. Infinium’s journey to 1359 Broadway began with the recognition that their current facilities at 44 East 32nd Street, while functional, were no longer sufficient to house their growing staff or properly showcase their evolving product line. Throughout the evaluation process, the company focused on "identity-building" locations—spaces that offered more than just desks and chairs.
Construction on the new flagship is expected to commence shortly, with Infinium likely aiming for a bespoke interior that utilizes its own glass wall products to create a "showroom within an office." This "dogfooding" approach—where a company uses its own products in its daily operations—serves as a powerful marketing tool for prospective clients who visit the space.
As the Manhattan office market continues to evolve, the Infinium lease will likely be cited as a case study in how specialized firms can successfully navigate the current landscape. By prioritizing building quality, landlord stability, and unique architectural features, Infinium Wall Systems has positioned itself to capitalize on the next wave of office design trends. For ESRT, the deal reinforces its position as a landlord of choice for companies that value the intersection of historical character and modern performance.
In the coming months, the industry will be watching to see how Infinium transforms the 30,017-square-foot space. Given the company’s focus on transparency and light, the "walls" of 1359 Broadway may soon be doing more than just talking—they will be serving as a transparent window into the future of the New York City workplace. The deal is a clear indicator that despite the rise of remote work, the physical office remains a vital tool for brand building, client engagement, and corporate growth in the world’s most competitive real estate market.
