Facebook on office space prowl

Facebook is seeking a New York City office for its engineers and has its eyes on the old New York Times building, according to Crain’s. Though the location of the building, at 229 West 43rd Street in Times Square, would not typically attract the attention of the tech world, Blackstone Group has added the kind of perks and amenities that Silicon Valley ethos demand.

The private equity firm added a basketball court and a terrace with astro turf to the 12 floors it bought from Africa Israel for $160 million last year. The asking rent in the building is said to be between $70 and $80 per square-foot.

Crain’s said Facebook has also checked out 620 Sixth Avenue and Edward J. Minskoff Equities’ 51 Astor Place, which is under construction. Facebook already leases 40,000 square feet at 535 Madison Avenue, and can expand there or terminate that lease early. The firm is reportedly seeking between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet. [Crain’s]