Center for Justice Innovation consolidates Manhattan operations with new 20-year, 34,300 s/f lease at 520 Eighth Ave.
Manhattan, NY GFP Real Estate and OPEN Impact Real Estate (OPEN) completed a 34,300 s/f lease transaction on behalf of the Center for Justice Innovation, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing community justice and public safety initiatives nationwide, at 520 Eighth Ave. in Midtown. The transaction includes a long-term extension, expansion and consolidation of the nonprofit’s administrative headquarters operations within the building.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Center for Justice Innovation will relocate into 34,300 s/f across a portion of the 18th floor and the entire 19th floor at the property as part of a new 20-year lease extension. The organization has occupied space at 520 Eighth Ave. since 1999, expanding over time as additional space became available within the building.
The new layout will allow the Center for Justice Innovation to consolidate operations previously spread across three non-contiguous floors into a more cohesive and efficient administrative headquarters designed to support future programmatic growth and evolving workplace needs. The redesigned space will feature expanded collaborative areas, flexible meeting and training spaces, and modern workplace amenities intended to foster greater connectivity, increase in-office engagement and support the organization’s long-term operational strategy. While the transaction represents a modest increase in square footage, the consolidation significantly expands the organization’s usable operational capacity and flexibility.
The transaction structure also provides the Center for Justice Innovation with the future ability to convert the lease into a leasehold condominium, allowing the nonprofit to benefit from tax exemptions available to qualifying nonprofit institutions.
The tenant was represented by OPEN’s Stephen Powers and Jake Cinti. Landlord representation was handled in-house by Matthew Mandell of GFP Real Estate.
“Center for Justice Innovation has been part of the 520 Eighth Ave. community for more than 25 years, and we’re proud to continue supporting the organization through this next phase of growth,” said Mandell. “As one of New York City’s largest landlords to nonprofit organizations, GFP has long believed in creating office environments that foster collaboration, connectivity and long-term institutional stability. This transaction further reinforces 520 Eighth Ave.’s position as one of Manhattan’s premier hubs for mission-driven organizations.”
“As the role of the workplace continues to evolve, nonprofits are increasingly approaching real estate as a strategic tool to deepen impact and support long-term sustainability,” said Cinti. “By consolidating the Center for Justice Innovation’s operations into a modernized and highly efficient headquarters, this transaction not only positions the organization for continued growth and long-term savings, but creates a workplace environment that reflects its standing as a leading community justice organization — embodying the dignity, humanity and collaborative spirit central to its mission and the communities it serves.”
“As a national organization supported by a combination of federal, city, state and philanthropic funding, CJI’s long-term commitment to its administrative headquarters reflects both the strength of its mission and the enduring value of in-person collaboration and culture-building,” said Powers. “Organizations like CJI are doubling down on their commitment to delivering essential services while creating innovative workplace environments that help attract and retain top mission-driven talent in New York City.”
“We are excited to continue our long-standing presence at 520 Eighth Ave. in a space that better reflects the way our organization works today and where we are headed in the future,” said chief financial officer Matthew Savago of the Center for Justice Innovation. “The new office will allow us to bring teams together more effectively, support future growth and continue advancing our mission in a modern, collaborative environment that better supports the way our teams collaborate and deliver services across New York City.”
Located in the Penn District, 520 Eighth Ave. is one of Manhattan’s most prominent nonprofit office buildings, home to a diverse community of mission-driven organizations and institutions. The transaction further reinforces the enduring importance of centrally located, transit-oriented office environments for nonprofit agencies serving communities across New York City.
Built in 1926, 520 Eighth Ave. is a 26-story office tower comprising more than 860,000 s/f of office space. The property is located steps from major transit hubs including Penn Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and the A, C, E, 1, 2 and 3 subway lines, providing tenants with exceptional accessibility throughout the region.