Allsteel: Over a Century of Commercial Furniture — and a Brand Worth Knowing

Allsteel doesn’t always get the same headline recognition as Herman Miller or Steelcase, but in the commercial furniture industry, it’s a brand with serious credibility and a history that stretches back to 1912. Originally an innovator in metal office products, Allsteel went on to popularize the modular office desk and actually invented the lateral filing cabinet — a piece of office furniture so ubiquitous today that most people don’t think twice about where it came from.

For companies clearing out their offices, Allsteel furniture is worth a second look before you assume it’s heading to the dumpster.

What Allsteel Makes — and Why It Lasts

Allsteel’s product portfolio covers the full range of commercial office needs: ergonomic task seating, open-plan workstation systems, private office case goods, conference room furniture, lounge and collaborative seating, and storage. The common thread across their line is commercial-grade construction built for durability and daily use in demanding environments.

Allsteel is also one of the more sustainability-forward brands in the industry — among the first furniture manufacturers to earn Scientific Certification Systems Indoor Advantage air quality certification, and a brand that designs many of its products with recyclability in mind. That commitment to material quality translates into furniture that holds up well over time.

Allsteel Products with Resale Potential

  • Acuity Chair — Allsteel’s flagship ergonomic task chair; strong reputation for lumbar support and adjustability
  • Relate Chair — A flexible, forward-looking ergonomic option popular in collaborative environments
  • Terrace Cubicle System — One of the most widely deployed Allsteel workstation systems; good secondary market demand in matching sets
  • Consensys Cubicle System — A modular, reconfigurable panel system with consistent buyer interest
  • Altitude Benching — A height-adjustable benching solution popular in open-plan offices
  • Lateral Filing Cabinets — Allsteel practically invented this category; their commercial-grade lateral files remain highly sellable
  • Linger and Park Lounge Seating — Soft seating collections popular in collaboration zones and breakrooms

Allsteel in the New York Secondary Market

Allsteel furniture shows up frequently in mid-to-large New York offices, particularly in sectors like insurance, financial services, healthcare administration, and professional services — industries that tend to specify contract furniture and maintain it well. When those offices downsize or decommission, the Allsteel inventory they’re sitting on has genuine buyer interest.

The key, as with any brand, is condition and configuration. Matching sets of Terrace or Consensys workstations move significantly better than mixed or partial sets. Seating in clean, neutral fabrics commands better prices. And lateral files — especially four-drawer, locking units — are among the most consistently in-demand individual pieces we see.

Have Allsteel furniture in a New York office you’re clearing? Phoenix Furniture Group evaluates and purchases Allsteel across all categories. Reach out for a free on-site walkthrough.

Related Resources

Teknion: A Canadian Commercial Furniture Brand With a Strong US Presence

Teknion was founded in Toronto in 1981 and has grown into one of the more respected commercial furniture manufacturers in North America, with a particularly strong footprint in the corporate offices of major cities — including New York, where the brand has been specified for financial services firms, technology companies, law firms, and large corporate

Read More

Knoll: The Modern Standard in Furniture Design since 1938

Knoll’s commercial office furniture — as opposed to its residential and studio collections — is built to contract-grade standards for heavy daily use. The Generation chair, the ReGeneration chair, the Dividends Horizon workstation system, and the iconic Saarinen conference tables are all products that age remarkably well in professional environments. Because Knoll pieces are almost

Read More
Usually respond within 1 business hour

We make it easy to connect.

No hold music. No forms that go nowhere. Pick how you'd like us to reach you — we'll handle the rest.

Call me backWe'll call you directly
Text me backQuick text reply
Email me backDetailed reply
No spam, ever
Response within 1 hr
New York-based team