How Much Office Space Do You Really Need? Square Footage Guidelines for NYC Teams
October 30, 2025
One of the most common questions companies face when searching for office space is deceptively simple: how much office space do I need? Get it wrong, and you're either paying for empty desks or playing Tetris with your team. The answer depends on more than just headcount.
The Square Feet Per Employee Formula
The general rule of thumb is about 200–250 square feet per employee, depending on your layout preferences. If you're a team of 10, you'll likely need 2,000–2,500 square feet. Teams that prefer open workstations may need less, while those looking for private offices, meeting rooms, or lounge areas may need more.
But before you break out the office space calculator, consider what type of office environment will serve your company best.
Layout Makes All the Difference
Do you envision rows of desks in an open floor plan that can accommodate more people in the same square footage? Or do you need a mix of private offices, conference rooms and collaboration space?
Modern office design values variety. The most effective spaces offer focused work areas, phone rooms for privacy, conference rooms for all-hands meetings, and smaller breakout rooms for quick collaborations. Many companies also dedicate space to a kitchen area with communal tables that encourage socialization and reinforce company culture. Some teams even carve out room for a ping pong table or lounge space—amenities that demonstrate your values and give employees room to unwind.
Consider Your Team's Work Pattern
While we won't tell you to embrace fully remote work, it's worth considering how often your full team versus a partial team is in the office. This impacts your square foot to employee ratio significantly. A team that's in the office five days a week needs different infrastructure than one where employees rotate their in-office days.
Don't Over-Lease for Growth
Here's where many companies make a costly mistake: leasing office space with the expectation of future growth. At Two Trees, our recommendation is simple: lease for the size your company is today or will be in the very near term.
Why? Because we offer flexible lease terms that support company growth. If you find you need a larger space down the line, we'll find a new space for you without any penalty or obligation to your original lease. Since we own multiple properties throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan, we can accommodate your expansion seamlessly.
The Two Trees Advantage in Dumbo
Our three DUMBO buildings—45 Main Street, 55 Washington Street, and 20 Jay Street—offer office spaces ranging from 1,500 RSF pre-built suites up to expansive full floors. And when you're calculating your space needs, remember that our buildings come with amenities that supplement your footprint: expansive landscaped roof decks with NYC river and skyline views, dedicated bike entry and parking, and shared conference rooms and phone rooms on each floor.
These shared amenities mean you can potentially lease less square footage while still providing your team with everything they need.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Fit?
At Two Trees, we offer a range of Brooklyn office spaces—from small private office suites to spacious DUMBO lofts. Let us know your headcount and work style, and we'll recommend the perfect NYC office space to meet your needs now and into the future.
