How to rent an office for one night?

March 25, 2005 2:33 PM

Let's say I want to throw a party in some disused (or, ideally, distressed) office space in Manhattan. How can I find some, and how much would I have to pay? Is it even possible to rent office space by the night for a party?
posted by paul_smatatoes to Work & Money (10 answers total)

Probably not distressed and probably not party-friendly, but office space is available temporarily at HQOffices
posted by stevil at 3:04 PM on March 25, 2005

It would be so much cooler to just break into some disused office space, especially if you don't get caught. Even more cool if the neighbors authorities come and you are able to convince them you belong there.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 3:38 PM on March 25, 2005

Perhaps calling specific companies and seeing if they'd agree to it for a fee?
posted by Hot Like Your 12V Wire at 3:42 PM on March 25, 2005

Best answer: It's about contacts. You've got to spend some time talking to people & find out who can provide the kind of office space that you need.

Start on the Lower East Side but you're more likely to have luck with space around Chelsea/Meat Market. You'd be surprised at what kind of things turn up when you get into conversations with people in bars/coffee shops/bakerys etc. at the right time of day.

Basically, the sort of situation you're after doesn't get advertised so you'll to be a bit smarter. Contact in profile etc...
posted by i_cola at 4:29 PM on March 25, 2005

you'll need to be
posted by i_cola at 4:49 PM on March 25, 2005

How about a photo studio space? most of them are raw, and you might get a deal--there aren't that many nighttime shoots.
posted by amberglow at 6:01 PM on March 25, 2005

Best answer: If you can disguise your event as an artistic/cultural event -- which wouldn't be too hard, actually, cuz, hey, a good party is an art -- you should talk to the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. See in particular their swing space program. Though the real estate market has changed a bit, they still make deals with arts organizations and landlords who have vacant spaces in Lower Manhattan. Though primarily this was for ongoing office use, they might be of some assistance with at least finding landlords who wouldn't mind making a few bucks... especially if you soup up your party with, say, live video artists or some sort of complicated technological hoo-ha, know what I'm sayin'?
posted by RJ Reynolds at 7:46 AM on March 26, 2005

Response by poster: Oops! I meant to click on i_cola's profile but (darrrr) hit "marked as best answer" even though I like some others, too...oh, well. Fudged. I don't deserve a party.
posted by paul_smatatoes at 9:44 PM on March 28, 2005

Response by poster: So now I marked two. Stop me before I mark them all!
posted by paul_smatatoes at 9:47 PM on March 28, 2005

The best such deal will be struck with a building super who pockets the money, rather than with the owner.
posted by Goofyy at 10:32 PM on March 28, 2005