Rolling Stone publisher ditches move to Brooklyn's Empire Stores

UPDATE (3/23/17): Wenner Media has scraped plans to take 70,000 square feet at Dumbo's Empire Stores development. The company cites a decrease in staff size as the reason behind its decision, Bloomberg reports.

(7/7/2016): Wenner Media, the publisher of magazines that include Rolling Stone, Us Weekly, and Men’s Journal, is reportedly in talks to relocate its company base from 1290 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown to a converted 70,000-square-foot warehouse in Dumbo at the Studio V-designed Empire Stores, writes Crain’s New York.

If the company does indeed make the move across the river to the recently redeveloped area, they will join a host of other media companies that have left Midtown for less traditional locations. According to Bloomberg, since Brooklyn is allegedly more millennial-driven (lol), Wenner Media’s move to Dumbo, which is the borough’s most expensive market for office space, could attract a younger workforce. It would also aid Brooklyn developers that are interested in attracting more mainstream firms to the neighborhood.

If the media company does follow through, they will join other companies like home furnishing store West Elm, apparel and watch brand Shinola, and the Vinegar House restaurant who will all occupy spaces at Empire Stores.

• Rolling Stone in talks to move to Dumbo [Crain’s New York]
• Rolling Stone Publisher Said in Talks to Relocate to Brooklyn [Bloomberg]
• Empire Stores: From 19th-Century Warehouse to 21st-Century Shopping Center [DUMBO NYC]
• New Details Revealed for Next Life of Dumbo's Empire Stores [Curbed]