United Talent Agency (UTA), a prominent talent and literary agency representing A-list entertainers, athletes, and creators, has signed a significant lease agreement for office space in New York City's Empire State Building. The move represents a major expansion and consolidation of the agency's Manhattan presence.
UTA will occupy 100,948 square feet across the 32nd through 35th floors of the landmark skyscraper. This new location will bring together operations previously spread across three other Manhattan offices, which collectively totaled 81,000 square feet. The asking rent for the space was reported to be $96 per square foot.
The agency's New York office encompasses a wide range of its business divisions, including Filmed Entertainment, Creators, News, Publishing, Theater, Music, Speakers, Sports, and Brand Advisory. UTA's client roster features notable figures such as actors Timothée Chalamet and Kirsten Dunst, musicians Bad Bunny, Lizzo, and Christina Aguilera, and athletes including LeBron James, represented through a partnership with Klutch Sports Group.
Bob Roback, UTA's chief operating officer, stated that the relocation to the Empire State Building reflects the agency's ongoing growth and its commitment to New York as a global hub for culture, creativity, and business. He added that New York has become increasingly vital for UTA's clients and its operations as its integrated talent representation and brand advisory business has expanded. Roback emphasized that the new office space is designed to accommodate the agency's ambitions and its vision for the future of representation in talent, media, sports, and brands.
The lease is considered a significant achievement for the Empire State Building, owned by Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT). ESRT has invested substantially in modernizing the building, attracting high-profile tenants such as LinkedIn, Shutterstock, Booking Holdings, and JCDecaux. The building reported a 96.1% occupancy rate in its first-quarter report even before the UTA lease was finalized.
In addition to the UTA lease, ESRT recently secured a lease with Instacart for 26,134 square feet at 111 W. 33rd Street, bringing that property to full occupancy. Infinium Wall Systems also leased 30,017 square feet of office and retail space at ESRT's 1359 Broadway. ESRT's portfolio, totaling 8 million square feet, currently has two large available spaces: 60,000 square feet at 501 Seventh Avenue and 80,000 square feet at One Grand Central Plaza.