Kroll Bond Rating Agency Moving Global HQ to Black Rock
By Larry Getlen January 16, 2026 11:54 am
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Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) is relocating to new and larger digs at the Midtown tower known as Black Rock, taking 121,000 square feet at the 900,000-square-foot 51 West 52nd Street.
The move from 805 Third Avenue, where the company has occupied a subleased 95,000 square feet over four floors since 2018, will occur in fall 2026.
The length of the lease and the asking rent were unclear. Asking rent in the building stood at $115 per square foot in mid-2024, as Commercial Observer reported.
New York Business Journal was first to report the news.
“We’re very excited to announce that 51 West 52nd Street will become KBRA’s new global headquarters,” Eric Thompson, chief operating offier at KBRA, said in a statement to Commercial Observer. “The more than 120,000 square feet of newly built-out, column-free space designed by Eero Saarinen will be purpose-built to meet the needs of our employees, with highly functional and collaborative workspaces, as well as space to host events and engage with market participants. After subleasing several offices across Manhattan over the years, it’s especially meaningful to establish a permanent home in such a beautiful and thoughtfully designed building. This move also underscores our long-term commitment to New York City, where the new headquarters will house several hundred employees, with capacity to support our continued growth in the years ahead.”
The building between 52nd and 53rd streets — its black, foreboding facade gives it its nickname — was acquired by Harbor Group International (HGI) from ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global), its initial owner, in August 2021 for $760 million. HGI has since implemented a significant capital program in the building, including upgrades to the lobby, cafeteria and other tenant amenities, according to the company.
Brent Ozarowski, Kevin Sullivan and Leo Paytas at Newmark represented KBRA. Greg Conen, Scott Klau, Erik Harris, Jennifer Schreiber and Zach Weil at Newmark represented HGI.
HGI also owns the Manhattan office properties 24 West 40th Street and 55 Broadway.
HGI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Larry Getlen can be reached at lgetlen@commercialobserver.com.
