Why Time Inc. chose Industry City

Time Inc. announced Thursday morning it had signed a 15-year lease to move more than 300 of its employees into 55,000 square feet in Industry City.
Consider it another small victory in Industry City’s billion-dollar plan to become a major technology hub.
“I think what’s been appealing to bigger players is the kind of community we’re creating, the ecosystem of businesses and the kind of authenticity of this place,” Industry City CEO Andrew Kimball said yesterday by phone. “I think the authenticity is that it has this mixture of firms and this drive toward innovation being done in these great old historic buildings whose roots were in manufacturing.”
Kimball said that Time Inc. had been looking to move some of its tech-based workers into Brooklyn, and reached out to him first.
“They came out and visited and we found that the process often looks like this: ‘Where’s Industry City? Where’s Sunset Park?’ And then, ‘Wow, it’s only 30 minutes by subway from Union Square,’ and, ‘Wow, there’s this community,’ and, ‘Wow, most of our workers actually live in Brooklyn.’ Also we’re a lot more competitive on price than Manhattan.”
The Manhattan media giant said those moving to Brooklyn would include teams dedicated to Editorial Innovation, Technology and Content Solutions in addition to an automotive vertical that will also have a first-floor showroom.
“We are excited that our talented technology, advertising and creative teams will become a part of Industry City’s revitalization,” Time Inc. CEO Joe Ripp said in a statement. “This environment — known as an ‘innovation and manufacturing district’ — is an ideal space for building new products, reimagining content creation and developing advertising solutions.”
Time joins other companies in Industry City, including MakerBot, the Brooklyn Nets, Shyp and others. The complex recently nabbed a certification for having super-fast internet.
Will other big names be joining Time at Industry City soon?
“There’s a tremendous momentum and buzz,” Kimball replied. “I think we’re poised for some big news over the next 6-12 months.”