Big Four accounting firm KPMG is relocating its U.S. headquarters to Two Manhattan West, a chic 58-story skyscraper under construction in Manhattan that will open its doors to employees next year.

A recent media report described the deal as the biggest office lease signed in New York this year. 

KPMG, which maintains its global headquarters in the Netherlands, has extensive ties to the Big Apple. The company’s presence in the city dates back more than 100 years. 

KPMG became one of the world’s largest consulting firms through a series of corporate mergers and alliances that spanned much of the past century. The pivotal deal that started it all took place in 1925, when a London-based accounting firm merged with a financial consultancy in New York.

KPMG currently has 5,500-plus employees in New York who are spread across 3 office buildings. As part of the firm’s relocation, its entire New York workforce will move to Two Manhattan West.

The firm is leasing 11 stories in the building with about 450,000 square feet of combined office space.

That’s a lot of cubicles, but KPMG will nevertheless have 40% less office space after the move to Manhattan West than it does currently. The cutback is a sign that KPMG expects its consultants and  partners to come into the office much less frequently in the age of remote work.

However, the Big Four firm wants to make sure employees have a strong incentive to show up in-person when an important project or meeting justify it. From their new headquarters in Two Manhattan West, KPMG staffers will have easy access to park views at the High Line and arts installations at the Shed.

KPMG U.S. Chair and CEO Paul Knopp expressed enthusiasm about the move. “This is an incredible opportunity to bring our people together in a custom-designed office space that will showcase our firm’s commitment to culture, innovation, wellness and sustainability,” Knopp remarked.

text

text