By: Myrtle Wilson

As The New York Post reported, Midtown’s famed Sixth Avenue corridor is in the midst of a major resurgence, with billions of dollars in new investments transforming aging office towers into modern, amenity-rich destinations for top corporate tenants.

Over the past three years, landlords along the avenue — stretching from West 41st Street to Central Park — have poured billions into upgrades aimed at attracting firms seeking premium infrastructure and hospitality-style workspaces. Those efforts are paying off. According to CBRE, more than 3.6 million square feet of space was leased in the area over the past 12 months, marking one of the strongest years since before the pandemic.

Among the biggest beneficiaries of the boom is RXR’s 1211 Sixth Avenue, a 2 million-square-foot tower between West 47th and 48th Streets. The building’s marquee tenants include News Corp’s Dow Jones, The New York Post, and Fox News, which together occupy about 1.2 million square feet. The property also houses offices for Disney and Wells Fargo.

As The Post noted, the Sixth Avenue corridor’s strength now rivals that of Park Avenue — long the city’s premier business address. Availability in the Sixth Avenue/Rockefeller Center submarket has dropped to just over 10%, down sharply from 15% a year ago, as more firms commit to high-end spaces.

Even as leasing momentum continues, the tower faces a shake-up. Law firm Ropes & Gray plans to relocate from 1211 to RXR’s 1285 Sixth Avenue in 2028, creating a rare 700,000-square-foot vacancy. To stay competitive, RXR is responding with an ambitious $367 million modernization plan for 1211 Sixth Avenue, designed to reimagine the 1970s-era skyscraper for the next generation of tenants.

As The Post reported, RXR — led by developer Scott Rechler — acquired a 49% stake in the tower from Ivanhoe Cambridge in January and completed a $1.45 billion recapitalization of the property in October. The overhaul will include sleek, glass-walled retail arcades on 47th and 48th Streets, a redesigned lobby café, and new shared spaces focused on wellness and collaboration.

New amenities will include a tenants’ lounge featuring a coffee bar, grab-and-go dining options, and comfortable seating areas. A wellness suite will offer infrared saunas, red-light therapy, meditation rooms, massage pods, and recovery stations — all aimed at promoting health and relaxation for employees returning to in-person work.

As The New York Post detailed, RXR’s plans also feature executive boardrooms, private dining areas, golf simulators, and even a tenant-only “speakeasy” for exclusive gatherings and tastings — continuing a trend of turning office towers into lifestyle hubs.

Renderings from Optimist Consulting show a bright, contemporary lobby with distinct entrances for News Corp and 1211 Sixth Avenue, as well as expanded ground-floor retail designed to enhance the pedestrian experience along the busy Midtown corridor.

While RXR has not announced a completion date, construction is already underway. The project represents part of a broader $5 billion recapitalization across RXR’s Manhattan portfolio — totaling 9 million square feet of office space.