Airbnb and Anthropic Expand New York City Office Footprints

Airbnb and Anthropic have significantly expanded their operations in New York City, countering claims from prominent investors that the city's political climate is inhospitable to business. Airbnb purchased its first New York City office on July 8, 2026, acquiring the landmarked Beaux-Arts building at 281 Park Avenue South in Manhattan’s Gramercy neighborhood for $81.5 million. The 42,500-square-foot facility, previously owned by Aby Rosen's RFR, will serve as a regional hub for over 600 employees.

This investment occurs as Airbnb continues a legal and political battle with city officials over Local Law 18, which restricted short-term rentals in 2023. To mitigate these regulatory supply shortages, the company is scaling its inclusion of boutique and independent hotels. Simultaneously, the AI firm Anthropic is leasing a 16-story building at 330 Hudson Street and plans to double its local workforce to more than 1,000 employees by the end of the year.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and City Comptroller Mark Levine praised these moves as evidence of the city's economic vitality. These expansions contrast with public warnings from billionaires Bill Ackman and Ken Griffin regarding the policies of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Airbnb has countered local restrictions by funding the Affordable New York political action committee to oppose critical mayoral candidates.