RFR completes several renewals at 17 State St. office tower

Manhattan, NY RFR completed several large-scale renewals at 17 State St. as the firm reinforces its commitment to the asset with plans for a new amenity center and updates to the public plaza in a nod to the nearby green spaces of Battery Park. As RFR began planning for the new amenity space, alternative investment management firm, Alphadyne Asset Management, signed on for an early renewal of its 43,872 s/f, three-floor lease – the firm has been at 17 State since 2005. Alphadyne was represented by Silvio Petriello of CBRE and RFR was represented in-house by director of leasing for RFR AJ Camhi, Paul Milunec and Ryan Silverman. In total, RFR has inked 80,680 s/f of new and renewed leases at 17 State St.

Additionally, several tenants have re-committed to long-term leases while four tenants signed on for 12,000 s/f of new leases. An in-house team of Camhi, Milunec and Silverman represented RFR Realty in these transactions while RFR has also hired a JLL team consisting of Mitchell Konsker, John Wheeler, Andrew Coe and Margaux Kelleher to assist in leasing:

• Law firm Bressler, Amery & Ross, a tenant since 1995, will renew and relocate its 8,243 s/f commitment. Robert Goodman of Cresa represented the tenant.

• Atlantic Specialty Coffee, a commodity services group specializing in coffee, cocoa and cotton, renewed its 6,167 s/f space and has been a tenant since 1994. Michael Rizzo and Richard Levine of CBRE represented the tenant.

• Asset management firm Friendly Capital has been a tenant since 2003 and renewed its 3,899 s/f commitment.

• Samson Funding, which provides capital to small and mid-size businesses, renewed its 6,181 s/f commitment and has been a tenant since 2021.

• AI powered life insurance tech firm Optifino joined the tenant roster with a 5,138 s/f lease. Derrick Ades and Lewis Gottlieb of CBRE represented the tenant and Mitchell Konsker, John Wheeler, Andrew Coe and Margaux Kelleher of JLL along with the RFR leasing team represented the landlord.

• Law firm Pierkarski Law signed a new 3,917 s/f lease. Jimmy Ishay of Gotham Realty represented the tenant.

• Medical technology firm Aspargo Laboratories signed a new 3,263 s/f lease coming out of a sub-tenancy at 17 State.

“This building is a prominent landmark in the downtown New York skyline,” said AJ Camhi, . “With its proximity to Battery Park and sweeping views of New York Harbor, 17 State Street is one of the most sought-after addresses in Manhattan. Our plans to introduce a new lounge and conference center in the building has further elevated the allure of the building for new and existing tenants while fortifying its reputation as one of New York’s premier office buildings.”

The new amenity space – designed by Studios Architecture and dubbed Liberty Lounge & Conference Center – will include hospitality and flexible space that transforms from social/collaborative lounge seating to  a town hall configuration with bleacher seating to accommodate company receptions and events. The amenity space will feature four distinct functions: social/collaborative seating that can transform into a Town Hall-Screening Room, a well-appointed café, a library lounge and a 32-person boardroom. The interior design will celebrate the character of the flourishing neighborhood with warm-toned modern fixtures and accents and natural green foliage. For practical and healthy commuting, an “End of Trip” facility has been incorporated offering a changing room, shower and space to freshen up. On the public plaza, RFR is enhancing the landscaping and providing updated seating.

Located at the corner of State and Pearl streets, 17 State St. has a distinctive curvilinear design and offers permanently protected views of New York Harbor and beyond from the second to 42nd floors. The location also provides convenient access to the 1, 4, 5, N and R trains; multiple ferries to Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey, the Staten Island Ferry; and, the downtown heliports.