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Aby Rosen’s Seaport office tower at 17 State St. bouncing back with new lease deals

Leasing Activity Picks Up at 17 State St. and 5 Penn Plaza

Leasing is booming at 17 State St. near the Seaport following RFR Realty’s refinancing of the harbor-facing, 571,000 square-foot office tower in January. Aby Rosen, the head of RFR, successfully refinanced three previously strained properties, including the retail portions of 670 Sixth Ave. and 150 E. 72nd St.

At 17 State St., owned by RFR for 25 years, five renewals totaling 68,362 square feet have been completed. The largest renewal was with Alphadyne Investment Management, which renewed early for 43,872 square feet.

Rosen, who has been strengthening his once-vulnerable empire property by property, also secured deals with three new tenants totaling over 12,000 square feet, including AI-powered life insurance tech firm Optifino.



At 17 State St., which RFR has owned for 25 years, five renewals totaled 68,362 square feet. RFR

Illustration of a modern office lounge with a pool table and people socializing.
The 4,300 square-foot amenities space on the third floor. RFR

Meanwhile, 17 State launched a new, 4,300 square-foot amenities space on the third floor. The Liberty Lounge and Conference Center features a lounge, cafe, library, screening room, and ornamental foliage as a nod to nearby Battery Park.

According to CoStar, the tower is currently 89% leased with asking rents ranging from $65 to $75 per square foot.


The reinvestment and repositioning of 5 Penn Plaza continues to be successful for investor-landlord Stephen Haymes. The 1916 building between West 33rd and 34th streets recently secured a new tenant — Fireblocks, a blockchain security platform specializing in storing, transferring, and managing cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.

Fireblocks, relocating and expanding from 441 Ninth Ave., signed a lease for 35,000 square feet on the entire 23rd floor and part of the penthouse with a wraparound terrace.

The building boasts a new lobby, expansive views, an amenities center, and a dog-friendly roof terrace, and is over 85% leased. Asking rents fall within the $70-$80 per square foot range.

A JLL team led by Mitchell Konsker represented the landlord, while Newmark’s Aaron Ellison and Adam Spector represented the tenant.

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