Major event space provider Glasshouse has finalized a deal to open its first downtown Manhattan location at Three World Trade Center, marking a significant step in filling a prominent vacancy within the iconic skyscraper. The company will occupy 66,436 square feet across three floors, a move described by a Glasshouse partner as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity."
The lease, secured with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), which manages the World Trade Center's retail spaces, and the Port Authority, the landowner, aims to activate the building's long-underutilized "podium" level. This development addresses a decade-long challenge in leasing these lower floors, which had seen several high-profile restaurant deals fall through previously.
Glasshouse, which already operates three venues in Manhattan, including one on Twelfth Avenue, plans to utilize most of its new space on the second and third floors. A 2,000-square-foot area on the ground floor, facing Church Street, will serve as a dedicated VIP arrival lobby and guest entrance. The Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao currently occupies 5,000 square feet on the ground floor, and some retail space remains available.
The new Glasshouse venue is designed to accommodate up to 2,000 attendees. However, its opening is projected to be at least 18 months away, pending necessary design and construction phases. The Port Authority, in its role as ground landlord, confirmed its involvement in approving and executing the long-term lease. CBRE's Chris Mansfield, Anthony Dattoma, and Zachary Weil represented Glasshouse in the negotiations, while URW handled its own representation.
This lease agreement arrives as construction progresses on the new American Express headquarters at Two World Trade Center, another step in completing the site's redevelopment. While Three World Trade Center has successfully leased 90 percent of its 2.5 million square feet of office space to tenants like Uber and WPP, the podium level remained a persistent challenge for developers. The addition of Glasshouse is seen as a "defining milestone" for the company and signals a renewed demand for experiential venues in the city.