Cooper Union wins feud with Aby Rosen over Chrysler Building -- but landmark's future remains in limbo
Share and Follow

Last week, Cooper Union emerged victorious in a legal dispute against Aby Rosen. The Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Jennifer Schecter ruled in favor of Cooper Union by removing Rosen from the leasehold of the Chrysler Building.

But short of an unlikely legal reversal, the distinguished educational institution is now on its own in bringing the beloved but troubled skyscraper into the 21st Century.

The big question is how to do that. The school and its real estate advisor, Savills, are studying numerous options.

“I think we can all agree that operating a  Chrysler Building is not the school’s forte,” said Savills Capital Markets Group senior managing director David Heller.

“We are evaluating the alternatives” for the future of the  landmark, he said. “We understand there’s going to have to be significant capital investment.”

Rosen’s RFR held the leasehold since 2019 when it succeeded Tishman Speyer. Cooper Union moved to oust Rosen over his failure to pay $21 million in ground rent.

Rosen counter-sued, blaming the school for “mismanaging” the property, but Schecter rejected his arguments.

Rosen theoretically  could appeal.

“We’ve had no indication yet” of that happening, said Cooper Union’s lawyer Gabriel Herrmann of Gibson Dunn.

Rosen’s representative said he had no comment.

Whatever Rosen’s failings might have been, he’s an experienced real estate developer with the know-how needed to restore and update a classic property — as he did with the Seagram Building.

Without him, Chrysler’s problems remain to be addressed.

They include office floors that are 40% vacant despite its location in the red-hot Grand Central area, awkward floor layouts, and badly aged infrastructure and interior design that don’t cut it for today’s tenants.

The woes include limited sunlight, poor cell phone reception, balky elevators and overall decay in the magnificent Art Deco lobby.

Finding a different real estate developer to take over the leasehold won’t be easy. The annual ground rent rose from just  $7.75 million in 2018 to $31.5 million this year, and will increase to $41 million in 2028 — numbers that Rosen told the New York Times were “not sustainable or economically feasible.”

Rosen had invested $170 million in physical improvements, but it wasn’t enough to stem a pandemic-years exodus. Creative Artists Agency is the only current marquee-name tenant.

Although Cushman & Wakefield is managing and leasing the building day-to-day, Savills has the long-term role.

“We’re making sure we evaluate all alternatives, whether they’re structural, to bring in a partner, to bring maximum risk-adjusted value to the school. We’re making sure everyone understands the options,” Heller said.

“As you’d expect, we’ve had a significant amount of interest from potential partners. It’s a great landmark in the best market in the city. But we  haven’t engaged in conversations” with any of them.

One strategy could include seeking historic-property tax credits from the federal and state governments, as were used to help pay for the Moynihan Station project.

“Maybe they’re not available but it’s part of our due diligence,” Heller said.

Once the building is repositioned, rents might run from the $80s per square foot in lower floors to “north of $150 at the top,” Heller added, but “we’d  struggle to get those now.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Suspicious package sickens several at Joint Base Andrews, home to Air Force One

Unraveling the Mystery: Suspicious Package Sparks Health Concerns at Joint Base Andrews

Several U.S. servicemembers at Joint Base Andrews encountered a suspicious package on…
North Carolina man Tyler Weaver, 25, murdered in front of fiancée during 'targeted' home invasion, 2 career criminals arrested

Shocking Home Invasion in North Carolina: Man Killed in Front of Fiancée, Two Repeat Offenders Arrested

In a tragic incident in North Carolina, a national kart racing champion…
Walking for Hope: Jacksonville unites to end Alzheimer’s this Sunday

Join Jacksonville’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s This Sunday: Be Part of the Hope!

Alzheimer’s disease affects millions, and this Sunday, November 9, the Jacksonville community…
100 million Americans brace for Arctic blast TOMORROW

Massive Arctic Chill Set to Impact 100 Million Americans Tomorrow

Brace yourself for a frigid wave of Arctic air set to engulf…
Senate talks continue over ending shutdown as Democrats weigh offer

Senate Negotiations Persist: Democrats Consider New Proposal to Resolve Government Shutdown

As he left the chamber, Thune mentioned that the Senate might remain…
Community effort saves Veterans Day event at Fort Custer amid shutdown

Local Heroes Unite to Preserve Veterans Day Celebration at Fort Custer Despite Shutdown Challenges

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) As the federal government shutdown lingers, its impacts…
ICE officer seriously injured after illegal immigrant assault, using metal coffee cup

ICE Officer Critically Injured in Attack by Undocumented Immigrant Using Metal Coffee Cup

An officer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sustained serious injuries…
DUI charge dropped against truck driver in deadly California crash

California Trucker Cleared: DUI Charges Dismissed in Fatal Crash Case

The DUI charge against a driver involved in a fatal eight-vehicle collision…