New York City, June 27, 2025 — The United Nations has finalized a significant lease renewal and expansion at 2 United Nations Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, securing 425,190 square feet across 26 stories. This move consolidates the organization’s previously dispersed operations into a unified headquarters, reaffirming its commitment to New York City as its central diplomatic hub.
The lease agreement, brokered by Newmark Group, Inc., encompasses nearly all office space within 2 UN Plaza, spanning levels 2 through 26. Additionally, it includes a two-story retail component at 1 United Nations Plaza. This consolidation brings together operations that were formerly split between 1 and 2 UN Plaza, creating a cohesive and efficient workspace above the ground-floor retail and beneath the Millennium Hotel.
Jim Saunders, Executive Managing Director at Newmark, commented on the transaction, stating, “This landmark transaction reaffirms the UN’s deep-rooted commitment to New York City as its global diplomatic hub. We are proud to have advised on this project, which will ensure further improvements to operational efficiency and UN staff support.”
The lease renewal coincides with a substantial $500 million capital improvement program underway across both 1 and 2 UN Plaza, spearheaded by the United Nations Development Corporation (UNDC), a state-established public benefit corporation. The initiative aims to modernize the complex with significant infrastructure upgrades, lobby renovations, new building systems, and enhanced security and sustainability features.
Situated directly across from the United Nations Headquarters, the UN Plaza complex has long served as a cornerstone for diplomatic, governmental, and international tenants. The property offers unobstructed East River and skyline views, along with immediate access to Midtown Manhattan transit and amenities.
Newmark’s team, including Head of New York Consulting Jason Perla and Executive Vice President of Workplace Strategy & Human Experience Roy Abernathy, played pivotal roles in the lease negotiations and workplace redesign. Abernathy led a team that developed a transformative workplace model tailored to the organization’s international mission, introducing a new way of working that aligns with its global objectives.
The landlord, represented by CBRE’s Scott Gottlieb, is undertaking the capital improvement program to revitalize the complex, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of its tenants and maintains its status as a premier location for global diplomacy.
This lease renewal and expansion by the United Nations not only strengthens its operational capabilities but also contributes to the ongoing vitality of New York City’s commercial real estate market, particularly in Midtown Manhattan.