The Plan: Stark Office Suites’ 717 Fifth Avenue Is Open to a Long-Term Relationship

Around Labor Day Weekend 2026, flexible workspace provider Stark Office Suites launched its latest office environment on the 14th floor of 717 Fifth Avenue, called Excelsior by Stark. 

“We don’t use the term coworking because that’s not who we are,” said Adam Stark, CEO of Stark Office Suites. “We’re very focused on private office space and individual clients. Our clients are generally longer-term relationships. Most have between one- and five-year arrangements.” 

Clients license the spaces they need, rather than signing a standard lease, giving them greater flexibility if their needs change quickly. There is a membership aspect of the business, but Stark said that is a “small piece of the puzzle.” 

“Our core clientele is looking for a home,” Stark said. “But their needs may change. We’re giving people flexibility.” 

The workspace was completed in August, is 60 percent leased (with move-ins beginning in November and running into January), spans 17,291 square feet over two levels, and has 27 offices. There is a custom staircase for going between the levels that is in turn illuminated by a custom chandelier.

There are coffee nooks, tons of natural light, and high-end finishes throughout the space, as well as curated artwork and what Stark calls its signature “Stark Blue” color scheme. It’s a dark yet soothing blue, not necessarily a color you might think of for an office, but it’s cozy and it works. 

The intention behind the design of Excelsior by Stark at 717 Fifth Avenue was luxury without ostentation. To achieve this, Stark worked with TPG Architecture on the build-out and design. This was Stark’s second Excelsior location with the firm, having worked with TPG on a similar project at 825 Third Avenue. Stark wanted to bring in elements of the 825 Third Avenue design without hitting copy/paste. 

“We were able to sit down with the team at TPG and really hash out what would capture the elements of Excelsior and what we learned at 825 Third,” Stark said. “We weren’t creating a carbon copy here, but rather something where we were going to build off of that knowledge and create something that would be a sister location in its design.”

Offices throughout the space have large windows with views that overlook Central Park, the Plaza hotel and other elements of the city. 

“We had an office rented in May — they are moving in November or December — they wanted an eight-person setup, and they get a beautiful view of the GM Building and a nice city view,” Stark said. 

The layout also includes private phone booths, a reception area, and individual desk spaces that can be used for a one-person operation or to house someone’s executive assistant. 

Excelsior by Stark clients don’t have to stay isolated on the 14th floor. They have access to 717 Fifth Avenue’s 8,000-square-foot amenity floor. There’s a tenant-only conference center, a grab-and-go cafe, a lounge and collaborative spaces, as well as locker rooms with showers. 

“We don’t just provide a space,” Stark said. “This is full service. We provide furnishings, the tech infrastructure, the conference room access, everything down to the coffee, but it is your space. When you take an office with us, it is yours.”

Amanda Schiavo can be reached at aschiavo@commercialobserver.com.