Hillary Clinton lost the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination because Barack Obama was the picture of cool. This time she's not taking any chances. The former secretary of state's campaign-in-waiting has reportedly signed a lease for two floors of office space in Brooklyn, New York – the epicenter of hipster culture . Brooklyn has transformed itself in recent years from Manhattan's ugly little brother into the Big Apple borough where everyone wants to live. And the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood is among the most hipster-friendly of them all. Scroll down for video . VERY HIP: Hillary's HQ will be in the cooler-than-thou enclave of Brooklyn, New York . COOL: Open floor plans and hardwood floors are part of the hipster appeal of the Clinton campaign's new digs . It's not clear whether the campaign itself or some other legal entity signed on the dotted line, but putting ink to paper at the aristocratic-sounding 1 Pierrepont Plaza has started a countdown clock. The Federal Election Commission's rules require candidates to declare themselves publicly within 15 days of doing anything that's considered campaign activity. So far among serious contenders, only Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has officially entered the 2016 presidential race. Politico reported on the lease-signing, saying that Clinton chief of staff Huma Abedin has been spotted walking around the neighborhood and touring the building. Abedin might have dropped in on the neighbors who will share the 19-story mini-skyscraper, including the mega investtment bank Morgan Stanley and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. That's the office currently occupied by Loretta Lynch, who's awaiting Senate confirmation for the job of U.S. Attorney General. 1 Pierrepont Plaza will feature Hillary staffers rubbing elbows with a federal prosecutor and Morgan STanley 1-percenters – when they're not browsing Urban Outfitters or eating at Shake Shack . Scoping the neighborhood: Clinton and New York City first lady Chirlane McCray (right) checked out a Brooklyn preschool on Wednesday . But the vibe is decidedly bourgeoisie, with 1 Pierrepont's building management showing off the ambiance with a map showing potential renters where to find the nearest Chipotle, Starbucks, Shake Shack and Urban Outfitters. There are also a Banana Republic, a private squash club, and at least three art galleries nearby . A Republican Party official in Iowa who asked Daily Mail Online to withhold his identity said on Friday that Clinton's choice of digs 'won't matter much in flyover country where most of the votes are.' 'We're more likely to be impressed if you're close to a Wal-Mart,' he joked. 'The tallest building in [my town] is three stories.' A GOP Senate staffer laughed out loud at what he said would be 'Hillary's hipster hell.' 'I guess we can expect all the Clinton campaign t-shirts to have ironic slogans, right?' he said. 'I can't wait to drink Pabst Blue Ribbon at the launch party.'
1 Pierrepont Plaza also houses Morgan Stanley and the federal prosecutor's office . Hillary's campaign will occupy two full floors in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood . Upscale hipster neighborhood includes Urban Outfitters, Banana Republic, Shake Shack and a private squash club . 'I guess we can expect all the Clinton campaign t-shirts to have ironic slogans, right?' said a GOP Senate staffer . Campaign has just 15 days to declare itself in the White House hunt after taking a formal step like committing to office space .