Business
Will office buildings ever be the same? Empire State offers clues
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Empire State Building has been a symbol of America’s economic might for almost 90 years. Of late, it’s also become a symbol of its struggle with the coronavirus.
The once jam-packed 102 stories of the 1,454 ft (443m) Art Deco skyscraper sit mostly empty in a city in shock from the country’s worst outbreak of COVID-19. Its spire has been lit up with red-and-white flashes to honor emergency workers, a siren in Midtown Manhattan.
A week into New York’s second phase of post-lockdown re-opening, dozens of the companies with office space in one of the world’s most famous buildings are trying to figure out when, how – even whether – to come back.
The same quandary is being played out across the United States, and the world. Something so normal as working in a big office block has abruptly become almost unimaginable for many.
The June 22 reopening allowed office buildings to invite tenants back, as long as maximum occupancy stayed below 50%. But most companies based in the Empire State Building, which range from tech firms like LinkedIn Corp and luxury watch brand Bulova to nonprofits like the World Monuments Fund, have opted to extend work-from-home arrangements.
Based on a tenant poll, management expected just 15% to 20% of the building’s usual 15,000 worker population to return at the second phase of reopening.
Yet even among those who plan to maintain a presence when the time comes, few expect to ever return to a workplace like the one they knew before coronavirus, according to Reuters interviews with several people who work or run companies there.
Global Brands Group (0787.HK), which licenses the likes of Calvin Klein, signed a 15-year lease for six floors of office space in 2011 but has already told employees based in New York that they will never be required to come back to the office.
The allure of working in “unbelievable corporate headquarters” has been dulled by the pandemic, Rick Darling, chief executive of the apparel and marketing firm, told Reuters.
“I think they become less important,” he said. “If your people are dispersed, really the performance of your company becomes the prestige point.”
The company has not yet made any decisions on office space and will need showrooms for fashion launches, Darling said.
‘Go back to way it was’
Such shifting attitudes could spell trouble for Empire State Realty Trust Inc (ESRT.N), which owns and manages the building, as well as for other major commercial real-estate companies across the city and beyond.
New York City office property values have likely fallen 10% during the pandemic, said Daniel Ismail, lead analyst at real-estate research firm Green Street Advisors.
Empire State Realty shares are down nearly 53% since the end of 2019, versus a 25% fall this year in the FTSE Nareit Equity Office .FTFN47U index which tracks office real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Ismail pointed to pressuring factors for the company, including the COVID-19 shutdown of the Empire State Building’s observatory – a tourism magnet that last year generated more than a fifth of revenue for the group, which also has other office and retail spaces across the city.
Even so, CEO Anthony Malkin remains optimistic.
His family has been involved with the Empire State Building since the 1960s, and he is convinced its status as a famed piece of the New York skyline will outlast the temporary, if painful, impact of the coronavirus.
“Since COVID, we’ve only had people sign leases, we haven’t had anyone move out,” Malkin said in an interview, noting that Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) signed a lease for a three-level store on March 15. “In a post-COVID treatment, vaccine, herd-immunity world, everything’s going to go back to the way it was.”
Empire State Realty drew down $550 million from a revolving credit facility in the first quarter to make sure it would have cash on hand if tenants fell behind on payments, but so far it has received the bulk of dues.
April rent collection dropped to 73% initially but rebounded to 83% by June 1, according to an investor presentation. The company offered deferral to a small portion of tenants which helped keep overall occupancy stable at around 96%.
‘You’re real, happening’
Some tenants say they have no intention of leaving.
For instance, Shutterstock Inc (SSTK.N), which signed an 11-year lease in 2013, is following orders from authorities about when and how to return, said Heidi Garfield, the company’s general counsel and interim chief human resources officer.
The creative content platform has 85,000 square feet, with an open-plan layout that includes a large café, a library, a terrace, an exercise studio and lounge areas. Before coronavirus, employees’ main gripes were when taps for cold-brew coffee or kombucha went down, Garfield said.
Officials from smaller non-profit tenants like the Human Rights Foundation and Human Rights Watch said the iconic building lends credibility with donors and potential partners, regardless of where staff work.
“Being in the Empire State Building was a solid component of our reputation,” said Human Rights Foundation President Thor Halvorssen. “People immediately assume that you’re solvent and you’re real and you’re happening.”
But other tenants are less confident. Unsure what the future of work might look like, they questioned whether it makes sense to spend big dollars for office space when remote operations have been working just fine.
It cost an average of $65.19 per square foot to lease space in one of Empire State Realty’s Manhattan buildings pre-COVID-19, according to the company, compared with an average of $81.64 across Manhattan as of late May, according to U.S. real estate firm CBRE Group Inc (CBRE.N).
Pricing has not changed much during the pandemic because of few new listings, said CBRE Director Nicole LaRusso, adding the reopening process might see “more revisiting on pricing.”
No mask? You can’t come in
Visitors to the Empire State Building are immediately confronted with the new reality.
Anyone entering the building must wear a mask and carry their own hand sanitizer, Malkin said.
Management closed non-essential entrances and retrofitted retail space downstairs as temperature-check and sanitization stations, tenants said. The elevator lobby has stickers on the floor that people waiting must stand on to ensure social distancing.
Similar stickers line the sidewalks outside the main entrance, in preparation for the re-opening of its observatory next month. The attraction, which allows visitors to take pictures on top of the building, raked in over $125 million in revenue for the company last year.
Some companies are reevaluating leases.
This month, for example, beauty-products company Coty Inc (COTY.N) signed over 50,000 square feet of its Empire State Building space to LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O).
Travel site Expedia Group Inc (EXPE.O), which occupies 9,000 square feet on the 72nd floor, said it had deferred “several real estate capital projects” to preserve liquidity.
Representatives for Coty, Expedia and LinkedIn did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Even once the pandemic is past, the office market is likely to remain irrevocably changed, according to analyst Ismail at Green Street Advisors.
“Major companies have found an increased level of comfort with people working from home, which I think will likely accelerate in the future.”
Reporting and photo: Reuters
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) has presented a brand-new Honda Airblade motorbike to the winner of a lucky draw held to mark the opening of its newest wholesale outlet in Hulhumalé Phase 2.
The outlet, located at Lot 20286 on Nirolhu Magu, opened on 16 February 2026 as part of BBM’s expansion of its wholesale operations.
To celebrate the opening and thank customers for their continued support, BBM introduced a special lucky draw exclusively for customers who made purchases from the new outlet on its opening day.
Customers who purchased products during the opening were eligible to enter the draw, with a Honda Airblade motorbike offered as the grand prize.
The lucky draw was conducted on 13 August 2026, with Ibrahim Shifaz of Vagthun Vaguthah outlet selected as the winner.
Shifaz was recently presented with the ceremonial key to the Honda Airblade by AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of Bestbuy Maldives.
The promotion formed part of BBM’s activities surrounding the opening of its Hulhumalé Phase 2 outlet, which provides customers with access to the company’s range of wholesale products from the growing residential and commercial area.
Bestbuy Maldives is a supplier and distributor serving businesses across the Maldives, including customers in the hospitality, food service and retail sectors.
Male’ Aerated Water Company (MAWC), the authorised bottler of The Coca-Cola Company in the Maldives, on Thursday hosted the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Match Ball Handover Ceremony, presenting Football Legends of Maldives with official FIFA World Cup 2026™ match balls signed personally by Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives.
Held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness, the ceremony recognised former national footballers whose achievements, service and influence have helped shape football in the Maldives and inspired generations of players and supporters.
The Coca-Cola Company has been an official partner of FIFA since 1974, making it one of the longest-standing partnerships in the global sport. For MAWC, the handover brought that global partnership to life locally by connecting the FIFA World Cup with people who have contributed to Maldivian football history.
As the sole authorised Coca-Cola bottler in the Maldives for over 35 years, MAWC has supported local sport through partnerships, campaigns and community initiatives. The ceremony continued that commitment by recognising the legacy of players who represented the Maldives and contributed to the growth of football in the country.
“Maldives’ football legends have given generations of supporters moments of pride and have played an important role in shaping the country’s sporting history. At MAWC, we believe recognising their contribution is as important as supporting the next generation. Through our partnership with Coca-Cola and FIFA, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness, we are honoured to celebrate their legacy. These match balls are a token of our appreciation for what they have given to Maldivian football,” said Milind Derasari, Chief Operating Officer, MAWC.
Adding to the excitement of the football season, MAWC ran a nationwide FIFA World Cup 2026™ consumer promotion from 21 March to 24 May 2026. Eight winners received an all-expenses-paid experience for two to attend a FIFA World Cup 2026™ match. Hundreds more won Coca-Cola branded merchandise and other prizes during the campaign, bringing the excitement of the world’s largest football tournament to consumers across the Maldives.
MAWC remains committed to building partnerships that support the development of sports across the Maldives, working with the Government of Maldives and other partners.
Coca-Cola Maldives is turning up the excitement with the launch of its 2026 football campaign, bringing fans across the country a season packed with prizes, shared moments and exciting ways to celebrate the game together.
As the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins, Coca-Cola Maldives is inviting consumers to join in the fun with a campaign built around everything that makes football special: the anticipation, the matchday thrill, the watch parties, the celebrations and the memories made along the way.
From March to May, consumers in the Maldives will have the chance to take part in the Coca-Cola Maldives FIFA World Cup 2026 promotion, with weekly prizes, branded merchandise and a grand prize experience linked to one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
As part of the campaign, Coca-Cola Maldives is rolling out the UTC Promo from March 21 to May 24, giving consumers even more ways to be part of the football excitement. Special promotional packs will feature a unique code either under the cap or under the tab, depending on the product format. For 500ml, 1.25L and 2L PET bottles, codes will appear under the special Golden Caps on Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta Orange and Fanta Strawberry. For 330ml cans, codes will appear under the tab on Coca-Cola. Consumers can enter by sending the code via SMS to 2626 for the chance to win a range of prizes throughout the campaign period.
The promotion will run across 330ml cans as well as 500ml, 1.25L and 2L PET bottles, making it easy for consumers to join in whether they are picking up a drink for themselves, sharing with friends, or stocking up for a matchday gathering. With multiple participating brands and pack formats included in the promotion, Coca-Cola Maldives is creating more opportunities for consumers across the country to take part in the campaign and enjoy the football season together.
At the top tier, eight winners will receive an all-expenses-paid experience for two to watch a FIFA World Cup match live, creating a once-in-a-lifetime football moment. Under Tier 2, 60 winners will receive Coca-Cola branded mini-coolers, while 120 winners will take home Coca-Cola branded football-shaped personal coolers. Under Tier 3, 180 winners will receive Coke and FIFA branded footballs, adding even more play and energy to the season.
Adding a live moment to the excitement, the first set of winners will be announced on ICE TV on April 6 at 9pm, with winner announcements continuing every week throughout the promotion. This weekly reveal is set to bring an added sense of anticipation and shared excitement as the campaign unfolds across the Maldives.
The campaign is designed to bring fans closer to the game and make every football moment even more enjoyable. Whether it is watching a match with family at home, catching the action with friends at a café, or picking up a favourite Coca-Cola pack from a neighbourhood store, Coca-Cola Maldives aims to be part of the moments that make football season unforgettable.
“Football has a way of bringing people together like nothing else, and that is what inspired this campaign,” said Mario Perera, Country Head for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “In the Maldives, the game is enjoyed in such a lively and social way, and Coca-Cola Maldives wanted to create a campaign that feels fun, relevant and easy for people to be part of. It is about celebrating the season, enjoying the experience with others, and giving fans something extra to look forward to.”
Adding to the excitement, Coca-Cola Maldives will also launch collectible country packs in the Maldives from May to July, giving fans the chance to celebrate the global game in a new way. Inspired by some of football’s most recognised nations, these limited-edition packs will bring a colourful and collectible twist to the season.
Across the Maldives, Coca-Cola Maldives will work with retail partners to bring the campaign to life through in-store visibility, promotional touchpoints and selected local activations that capture the spirit of football and community.
“The Maldives is a unique market, and Coca-Cola Maldives wanted this campaign to connect with the way people here enjoy football, together, with energy, and with a real sense of occasion. Coca-Cola Maldives is excited to bring that spirit to life in the months ahead,” added Mario Perera.
This marks the start of Coca-Cola Maldives’ 2026 journey in the market. With more fan moments, more excitement and more ways to join in still to come, Coca-Cola Maldives is looking forward to celebrating the football season with consumers across the country.
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