Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Would You Work On A Socially-Distanced Office Floating In The Middle Of The East River?
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 26, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Improv Everywhere
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 26, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Do you ever feel like you're stuck in your daily routines? With the pandemic forcing many people to work from home and greatly limiting our ability to enjoy the best parts of the city, it's not surprising that a dull monotony has creeped into many people's lives. If you're looking for some way to shake things up, maybe you should consider finding a new socially-distanced location to work out of... like the East River?
Improv Everywhere recently returned with their first "prank" since pre-pandemic times, which was to create New York’s "most socially distanced office" in the middle of the East River, just off of Pebble Beach in DUMBO. The floating office included a water cooler, a battery-powered computer with working internet, a variety of contemporary office furniture, and an absolutely killer backdrop for Zoom meetings.
As they explained in a post, they told curious onlookers it was a Department of Buildings pilot program, and also installed a DOB construction sign that showed a rendering of what the water would look like filled with these floating desks.
Watch the video below, allow yourself a brief smile, then silently go back to alternating between working at your kitchen table and bed.
Tagged
social distancing
pandemic
coronavirus
improv everywhere
east river
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
An expert guide to navigating the Fulton Center subway frankenstation
Bonus tip: There's a Krispy Kreme.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
Published Nov 12, 2026 at 10:52 a.m. ET
A good bet: New Yorkers are lining up to become casino dealers
Learn to deal blackjack and you'll always been employed.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
A good bet: New Yorkers are lining up to become casino dealers
Learn to deal blackjack and you'll always been employed.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Long-lost Georgia O’Keeffe painting found in East Village closet
By
Hannah Frishberg
The real race at the NYC Marathon is getting to the front of the toilet line
By
Samantha Max
On HBO's 'The Gilded Age,' Ben Ahlers is New York high society’s man of the hour
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .