Anthropic and Airbnb have made major real estate commitments in New York City, defying warnings from billionaires that Mayor Zohran Mamdani's progressive policies would scare off business. Anthropic is leasing an entire 16-story office building at 330 Hudson Street in Manhattan, dramatically expanding from a smaller office at 155 Sixth Avenue, and plans to double its workforce in the city. The company, which had less than 500 employees in the city at the beginning of this year, expects to occupy all 16 floors—enough space for 1,700 desks—and expects to have more than 1,000 employees by the end of the year. Anthropic chief commercial officer Paul Smith stated the move allows the company to sit closer to financial institutions, media companies, and cultural organizations. Simultaneously, Airbnb purchased 281 Park Avenue South, a six-story building in Gramercy, for $81.5 million, to serve as a hub for its New York-area workforce of more than 600 employees. CEO Brian Chesky said the building reflects a long-term commitment to the city. The moves contradict predictions from billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who warned last year that if Mamdani became mayor, "You're going to see the flight of businesses from New York," and Citadel founder Ken Griffin, who urged business leaders to "fight for their city."