Pilot High-Quality, Modular Public Restrooms Citywide

Photo by Kem Davis

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced that after a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Throne Labs, Inc.(Throne) has been selected to produce, deliver, install, and maintain high-quality modular bathroom units in neighborhoods across New York City. Through this $4 million pilot program, Throne will roll out 17 modular bathroom units across all five boroughs, prioritizing access in high-traffic public spaces. These high-quality units will be free to use and fully accessible. First announced in January, this milestone marks a major step in delivering Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first‑100‑days commitment to expand public restroom access citywide and improve the lives of working New Yorkers.

This $4 million pilot program will deliver public restrooms faster and cheaper than traditional versions that require extensive underground construction to sewer and water lines that can take years to complete.

Throne will provide the physical units and all cleaning and maintenance services. These high-tech and solar-powered units are designed for cleanliness and accessibility. They feature touchless entry, flush and faucets, as well as free menstrual products and changing tables. The units are ADA-compliant, weather-proof, odor-managed, and use 21 sensors and ratings from users to monitor real-time data on the restroom’s status, cleanliness, and usage. This data-driven approach has enabled Throne to maintain a 90%+ uptime and 4+ star cleanliness ratings across over 1.7-million-bathroom visits in other cities. Restroom users can access the units via text message, QR code, mobile app, or phoneless tap card.

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) will determine Throne locations in coordination with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks). Installation is expected to begin in late summer and be completed by this fall. Once locations are selected City Hall will kick off a robust strategy to ensure that New Yorkers without cell phones can easily access tap cards from nearby nonprofits, community-based organizations, homeless outreach teams, and other partners.

Founded in 2020, Throne provides clean, accessible public restrooms across the United States. After launching its first permanent installation in Washington, D.C. in March 2023, the company has expanded to downtowns, parks and transit stations in Greater Los Angeles, Michigan, Seattle, Atlanta and the San Francisco Bay Area.

This project is a part of the Mamdani Administration’s broader efforts to improve the public realm and to ensure New Yorkers can move through the city safely and with dignity. New York City currently has nearly 1,000 public restrooms, roughly 70 percent of which are located in parks. Throne units will increase the number of public restrooms available citywide, helping close long-standing gaps in access across neighborhoods.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About Throne
Throne Labs is revolutionizing public restroom access by delivering, operating, and maintaining data-driven, inclusive smart bathrooms that prioritize cleanliness and user experience. Their innovative, utility-free units can be deployed rapidly at a fraction of traditional costs. Throne’s turnkey service uses sensors and real-time user feedback to optimize cleaning and maintenance, typically cleaning every 11 to 15 uses. The result is consistently sparkling restrooms backed by transparent performance data. Thrones serve parks, transit hubs, and business districts, where they delight users and transform expectations for public restrooms. Learn more at www.thronelabs.co.