Affordable Office Space for Startups: Destination Yonkers

Congratulations! You are ready to move your business out of your apartment and into a private office space in NY. Although your company may be enjoying a positive cash flow for the first time—that doesn’t mean you should spend it on a Park Avenue office.

While New York City may be your first choice, it is important to thoroughly evaluate your options and ask yourself why is it so important to be in Manhattan? Is it because of perceived prestige?

Unfortunately, most startups fail because they run out of money. The reality is that no one will be impressed with a business that doesn’t exist.

Save on Office Space in NY

If you want to beat the odds, it’s important to conserve cash. Of course, you could do what every “cool” new startup is doing and pay $500 a month to socialize in a noisy and overcrowded coworking space in Union Square . Or—for not all that much more, you could have your very own office space in Yonkers, NY.

With a number of initiatives in place to foster economic growth and attract new businesses, Yonkers has emerged as a center for technological innovation and entrepreneurship .

 

Just ask local entrepreneur Dr. Barry Kappel, Vice President of Business Development for ContraFect Corp., how much his business saved by relocating to the city.

 

“Building out a 15,000-square-foot laboratory in Yonkers was economically feasible for us…we did it at 20 to 25 percent of the cost it would have been in other locations. At the end of the day we’re really happy with our decision to be in Yonkers. We’re proud to be associated with the city and we encourage others, both in our industry and in other industries as well, to make the move.”

It’s Cold Out There, But Untermyer Gardens is Going to Be Hot this Spring

untermyerIf you haven’t been over to Untermyer Gardens recently – and by recently, I mean when it was actually warm and sunny – you really ought to put it on your to-do list for the spring.

Why?

In addition to simply thinking about warmer temps at the moment, the nonprofit group Untermeyer Gardens Conservancy has doubled downed on Miracle-Gro and raised a ton of green to make some exciting improvements to the gardens, according to my former TJN colleague Bill Cary, who recently wrote about how supporters have been bringing the gardens “back from ruin for the last four years.”

Three major capital projects, totaling $500,000, are poised to improve the 44-acre public park in Yonkers. Among the improvements are restoring the Temple of Love; relining water canals in the Walled Garden; and hiring more gardeners, among some other exciting changes in programing including a June gala where Martha Stewart has agreed to serve as an honorary chair.

Improvements to Untermyer are a fraction of the exciting things happening in Yonkers. Be Part of it @GenerationYonkers.com.

Read more about these exciting changes at LoHud.com or check out Untermyer Gardens’ website.

How to Find the Perfect Office Space in NY

Finding the right office space in NY for your business can be a daunting task.

Follow these five guidelines to simplify the process.

The Perfect Office Space in NY

Location, Location, Location. Although New York City may be your company’s first choice, exorbitant rents and overly compact spaces are often deal breakers. As an alternative, consider relocating to nearby Yonkers. With over four-and- a-half miles of waterfront property, some of Westchester’s largest corporate parks, and premium industrial, commercial and warehouse space—you can’t go wrong!

Find the Right Broker. You will be working with this person day in and day out, so chemistry is important. A high-pressure sales person will drive you crazy while an indecisive broker can be just as frustrating. It’s important to find someone who is familiar with commercial real estate as well as the geography of the location you are looking at.

Don’t Rent More Space Than You Need. Remember the rules of retail—it’s not a great deal if you don’t need it. This is especially true for startups; avoid wasting money on space your organization doesn’t need.

Is Your Perfect Office Space in NY, Perfect—As Is? Or does it require minor layout changes? If so, find out if the landlord contributes to tenant improvements (TI). Ask about nearby parking options. Also, inquire as to which amenities, if any, are included.

Last But Not Lease…(we couldn’t resist!) If everything works—except for the lease—than that’s a problem. Scour the contract for hidden costs and fees. Find out if utilities are included, and if not, request an estimate. If necessary, hire a real estate lawyer to review the lease.

Looking For Affordable Office Space, NYC? Try Yonkers

If running your business out of a converted closet while bumping elbows with ten bootstrapping wannapreneurs doesn’t appeal to you, maybe it’s time to consider looking beyond Manhattan for affordable office space in NY.

Believe it or not, it exits—and only 30 minutes from Grand Central.

Welcome to Yonkers, a true hidden gem, where office space is double the size and a fraction of the cost of its oversaturated southern counterpart.

The Best Office Space NYC Alternative: Yonkers

While everyone else seems to think they need to be in Manhattan, Hoboken, or Brooklyn—smart companies are moving outside of the big city limits. They flock to Yonkers in search of affordable office space—but stay for everything else it has to offer.

“Yonkers is the best kept secret in the New York Metro area. We’ve got it all. Excellent schools, low crime rate, diverse housing, modern and affordable office space, a great mix of businesses, lively culture, exceptional retail opportunities, fabulous restaurants and spectacular Hudson River views. And we’re only 25 minutes by train to Grand Central Station,” boasts Mayor Mike Spano.

From industrial, commercial, and warehouse space in the Nepperhan Vally; to expansive corporate parks on the northern border; to retail and office locations throughout the city—Yonkers has an office space to fit your company’s needs.

Become a part of the new and inspired generation of business leaders successfully exploiting all the city has to offer…build, relocate or grow your business in Yonkers.