NEW YORK CITY—By Manhattan standards, it might not be the largest deal ever signed. But it is very definitely the wave of the future as the New York City office market converts from its traditional office drivers to a focus on tech, advertising, media and information.

Oakland, CA-based Visual Supply Co., a provider of photo-app technology (or as it defines itself on its website, an art and technology company), is undeniably hot. With the help of Lee & Associates principals Craig Hagglund and Dave McCarty, VSCO exploded from a 3,500-foot space into 40,000 square feet at 1500 Broadway there. Fueled by accelerating sales and a $40-million capital raise, VSCO leadership recognized the need for multiple offices—and the next logical step in this expansion was Manhattan. They turned to Hagglund and McCarty.

“What makes our network work is that we know each other,” says Hagglund. “It's not just that we have an office in New York. Rather, we know the person we're referring business to.” This familiarity is the result of such national team-building events as quarterly presidents meetings, two-and-a-half-day get-togethers of Lee's regional leaders to review best practices, current business and networking. A yearly summit of all Lee team members furthers that bond.