Recruiting Firm Zeal Talent Ventures Takes 9K SF at 419 Lafayette Street

A recruiting firm has expanded to a new office in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood.

Zeal Talent Ventures, which specializes in connecting new companies with talent and strategic investments, has signed a five-year lease for 9,250 square feet on the fourth floor of 419 Lafayette Street, according to tenant broker Newmark. Asking rent was $66 per square foot.

The eight-story office and retail building near Astor Place is owned by local developer and designer Albert Malekan, who acquired the property in June 2024 for an undisclosed amount, according to property records.

Newmark’s Adam Spector brokered the deal for the tenant, while Bridge Advisory Group’s Alex Putzer and Joshua Malekan represented the landlord.

A spokesperson for Bridge Advisory Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The deal represents a relocation for Zeal, which previously had a smaller office address about half a mile south at 270 Lafayette Street. The firm was founded in 2020 and uses data to help shape hiring strategies for emerging businesses, according to its website.

“We are excited to expand our footprint in New York City and continue to invest in helping the New York City startup ecosystem grow and flourish,” Zeal co-founders Zachary Rufer and Kevin Polman said in a statement to Commercial Observer.

Zeal Talent Ventures will join several other office tenants at 419 Lafayette Street, including artist and media technology company Creatd and venture capital firm M13, which signed a deal to move to 10,000 square feet on the sixth floor of the property in March 2024.

Isabelle Durso can be reached at idurso@commercialobserver.com.