NYC Tenant Representation
Tenant-first commercial real estate representation for companies navigating the New York City office market.
Lokal CRE is a New York City commercial real estate brokerage focused exclusively on tenant representation. We help startups, growth-stage companies, established businesses, and international companies find, evaluate, negotiate, and secure office space throughout NYC. From defining your requirements and identifying opportunities to negotiating lease terms and planning for future growth, we represent the tenant's interests throughout the entire process.
What Is Tenant Representation?
Tenant representation is a commercial real estate service in which a broker works exclusively on behalf of the tenant, rather than the landlord, during an office search or lease negotiation. A tenant representative helps define space requirements, identify available and off-market opportunities, compare options, negotiate business terms, and guide the tenant through the leasing process.
In New York City, where office rents, lease structures, concessions, build-outs, and operating costs can vary significantly from building to building, experienced tenant representation helps companies evaluate the true economics of each option and negotiate from an informed position.
What a Tenant Rep Does
Define the requirement
Determine location, size, layout, timing, budget, and future growth needs.
Search the market
Identify on-market and off-market office opportunities throughout NYC.
Evaluate the options
Compare economics, layouts, building quality, flexibility, and potential risks.
Negotiate the deal
Negotiate rent, concessions, security, build-out terms, flexibility, and other key business points.
Guide the process
Coordinate the transaction from initial search through lease execution and move-in.
Why Work With a Tenant-Only Broker?
Many commercial real estate firms represent both landlords and tenants. Lokal CRE is focused exclusively on tenant representation. We don't market office space on behalf of landlords, allowing our advice to remain centered on the tenant's objectives throughout the search and negotiation process.
Our role is to help clients understand the market, uncover the right opportunities, evaluate each option objectively, and negotiate terms that support both their immediate needs and long-term business plans.
Our Loyalty is to the Tenant
No landlord listings
We don't market office space on behalf of building owners.
Objective market advice
We evaluate opportunities based on what works for your business, not what we need to lease.
Direct senior-level representation
Clients work directly with Lokal's principal throughout the process.
One side of the table
From the initial search through lease negotiations, our focus remains on the tenant.
Who Lokal CRE Represents
Lokal CRE represents office tenants across New York City, from companies securing their first dedicated office to established businesses evaluating a relocation, expansion, or renewal. Our approach is particularly well suited to companies that value hands-on, senior-level representation and objective advice throughout the real estate process.
Built Around the Tenant
Startups & Growth-Stage Companies
Helping growing teams find office space that works today while providing flexibility for what comes next.
Established Businesses
Advising companies on relocations, expansions, renewals, and other strategic office decisions.
Companies Moving Beyond Coworking
Helping teams evaluate when it makes sense to transition from flexible workspace into a dedicated office.
International Companies Expanding to NYC
Helping companies entering the New York market understand neighborhoods, office options, lease structures, and the local leasing process.
Why Tenant Representation Matters in NYC
New York City's office market is highly fragmented. Two seemingly similar spaces can carry very different economics once rent concessions, construction obligations, electricity, operating expenses, real estate tax escalations, security deposits, and lease flexibility are considered.
A tenant representative helps companies look beyond the asking rent and understand the complete financial and operational picture before making a decision.
It's More Than the Asking Rent
Concessions
Free rent and landlord contributions can materially change the economics of a deal.
Build-Out
Turnkey delivery, tenant improvement allowances, existing conditions, and construction responsibility can dramatically affect upfront costs.
Security
Security deposits, guarantees, letters of credit, and potential burn-downs can be significant negotiation points.
Flexibility
Expansion rights, renewal options, termination rights, sublease provisions, and relocation clauses can matter just as much as rent.
Occupancy Costs
Real estate taxes, operating expenses, electricity, and other additional rent need to be evaluated alongside the base rent.
NYC Tenant Representation FAQs
Does a tenant pay for tenant representation in NYC?
In most traditional New York City office leasing transactions, the landlord pays the brokerage commissions, including the tenant representative's commission. The specific commission structure can vary by transaction.
When should a company engage a tenant representative?
Ideally, before beginning an office search or negotiating directly with a landlord. Starting early gives the tenant time to evaluate the market, compare alternatives, establish leverage, and develop a strategy before making commitments.
Can a tenant representative help with a lease renewal?
Yes. Tenant representation isn't limited to relocations. A tenant broker can evaluate renewal terms against current market alternatives and help negotiate with the existing landlord.
Can Lokal help companies move out of coworking?
Yes. Lokal CRE works with growing companies evaluating the transition from coworking or flexible workspace to a dedicated office. We can compare the economics and flexibility of remaining in coworking against leasing a direct or sublease space.
Does Lokal CRE represent landlords?
No. Lokal CRE is focused exclusively on tenant representation and does not market office space on behalf of landlords.
Does Lokal work with international companies opening offices in New York?
Yes. Lokal CRE has extensive experience representing international companies as they establish and grow their presence in New York City. We help clients navigate the local office market, from neighborhood and space selection to lease economics and negotiations, while providing the local knowledge and hands-on guidance that can be especially valuable for companies entering the U.S. market.
Whether you're planning a relocation, expansion, renewal, or your first New York office, let's discuss your space needs and what you're looking to accomplish.