Facebook is searching for an office in New York City for its engineers and has its eyes set on the old New York Times building, according to Crain’s.
The report cites sources which believe Facebook has shown a keen interest in the former New York Times Building at 229 W. 43rd St., which has a recent history that's almost as tortured as social networking site's recent initial public offering.
The location would not typically attract the attention of the tech world, Blackstone Group has added the kind of perks and amenities that Silicon Valley ethos demand.
The private equity firm added a basketball court and a terrace with astro turf to the 12 floors it bought from Africa Israel for $160 million last year. The asking rent in the building is said to be between $70 and $80 per square-foot.
According to the report, the social networking giant has also looked into 620 Sixth Avenue and Edward J. Minskoff Equities’ 51 Astor Place, which is under construction.
Facebook already leases 40,000 square feet at 535 Madison Avenue, and can expand there or terminate that lease early. The firm is reportedly seeking between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet.