That the U.S. Department of Agriculture is relocating its New York office from Manhattan to Queens is less surprising than the news that the federal government maintains a sizable agricultural presence in the city in the first place. Currently based at 201 Varick Street, the agency will move to the entire seventh floor—roughly 18,500 square feet—of the Queens Tower at 88-11 165th Street.
The U.S.D.A., which began accepting bids for new office space last year, plans to move to its new space in February.
The 10-story Queens Tower was originally built for the New York Phone Company in 1972. Tenants include Con Edison, North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health System and New York City’s Health and Hospitals Corporation and Human Resources Administration.
The asking rent was $25 a square foot.
The 10-year lease was brokered by Maria Kobe of CB Richard Ellis on behalf of the U.S. General Services Administration. Stanley Markowitz represented building owner Muss Development in the negotiations.
