In a city of glass towers, hotel ballrooms, and rooftop bars, finding a venue that genuinely feels different is no easy task. That’s exactly why The Foundry in Long Island City continues to stand out.

Originally a 19th-century metalworks building, this restored industrial space has been hosting events since the early 2000s, yet it still feels fresh, distinctive, and highly relevant for today’s corporate landscape. For planners looking to create something memorable and not just functional, The Foundry offers a rare combination of character, flexibility, and creative freedom.

A venue with substance

There’s a growing demand in the MICE and corporate events world for venues that feel authentic. Attendees don’t just want polished, they want personality. The Foundry delivers that in abundance.

This is a space with history: once a working foundry serving New York’s industrial waterfront, later abandoned, and eventually restored into a striking event venue that retains its raw architectural DNA. Exposed brick, steel beams, and lofty proportions create an environment that feels both cinematic and grounded – a powerful contrast to more conventional venues.

The Foundry creates immediate visual impact for guests, elevating brand storytelling and event design, offing the “New York” aesthetic that feels authentic, not manufactured.

In an era where events are judged as much by how they look on camera as how they feel in person, this kind of backdrop is priceless.

A multi-space venue with creative flow

One of The Foundry’s biggest strengths is it being a layered layout. Rather than a single room, it offers multiple interconnected spaces, each with its own identity.

The Foundry key areas include the following:

• a main industrial hall

• a lush outdoor courtyard

• an ivy-covered greenhouse

• a rooftop terrace with skyline views

• smaller breakout rooms like the Albra Room and Billiards Room

Capacity overview:

• up to 180 pax standing

• 125 for seated indoor dinners

• up to 165 in the courtyard for larger setups

This variety allows planners to design events with natural movement and progression – which is increasingly important in modern corporate formats. The venue offers seamless transitions between sessions, networking, and dining provide events, with the ability to “zone” experiences (e.g. talks, cocktails, activations).

Indoor and outdoor versatility

Outdoor space in New York is a premium, and The Foundry offers it in a way few venues can.

The courtyard, greenhouse, and terrace provide multiple ways to integrate fresh air, greenery, and skyline views into an event experience.

Why this matters in 2026:

• attendees increasingly value open-air environments

• hybrid indoor-outdoor formats feel more relaxed and engaging

• wellness and biophilic design are now key event trends

The courtyard alone can host large dinners or receptions, while the greenhouse adds a softer, almost botanical feel that contrasts beautifully with the industrial interior.

For corporate planners, this creates design depth, so you can shift tone throughout the event without ever leaving the venue.

A blank canvas venue

Unlike many hotels or traditional venues, The Foundry operates as a raw space, meaning planners have significant control over how the event comes together. A blank canvas space is such a wonderful element to acquire when you’re looking to fully take over creative vision.

MICE planners are able to take full control of external suppliers, furniture hire, styling, and experience.

This means that no two events at The Foundry are the same. You’re able to offer full brand identity with the opportunity to create high-impact, one-of-a-kind MICE events.

For product launches, brand activations, or creative industry events, this level of flexibility is a major advantage.

That said, it also requires more planning – making it best suited for teams or agencies that want to build something truly bespoke.

Location close to Manhattan

Situated in Long Island City, The Foundry offers a strategic location just across the East River.

Under 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan by train or car and very easily accessible from Brooklyn and Queens – it’s well connected on public transport.

The Foundry holds fewer constraints that come with many Manhattan venues, specifically:

• tighter space limitations

• higher costs for comparable square footage

• less flexibility in layout and suppliers

The backdrop

At The Foundry, you get the Manhattan skyline backdrop without the Manhattan limitations.

The rooftop terrace, in particular, delivers panoramic views that instantly elevate evening events.

Ideal for MICE events

The Foundry’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of corporate formats, particularly those that prioritize experience and design. Consider this space for:

1. Product Launches & Brand Activations

2. Executive Dinners & VIP Events

3. Creative Industry Events

4. Networking Events & Receptions

5. Offsites & Team Experiences

In 2026, corporate events are shifting toward:

• experience-led design over formal structure

• smaller, more curated guest lists

• visually impactful environments

• flexible, multi-use spaces

The Foundry naturally supports all of this.

In a city known for its iconic venues, The Foundry occupies a unique position.

What it offers instead is something far more valuable: character, flexibility, and the ability to create events that feel genuinely different.

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The above information is for general guidance.

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