The Durst Organization has confirmed that full-service law firm Nutter is increasing its presence at 5 Grand Central East, expanding its office to a total of 11,438 square feet. As part of the transaction, Nutter will occupy the entire 25th floor while also renewing its existing space on the 27th floor in the same property.
Durst leadership framed the deal within a broader upswing in demand for high-quality office space in the borough. Jody Durst, president of The Durst Organization, described the Manhattan office leasing market as surging, with particular strength in Class A assets located in transit-accessible areas such as Grand Central East. He added that Nutter’s decision to both renew and expand at 5 Grand Central East underscores the appeal of the building’s location and the company’s ongoing investment strategy for its portfolio.
Both landlord and tenant were represented in the leasing negotiations. The Durst Organization handled its side of the transaction in-house, with a team comprising Tom Bow, Ashlea Aaron, Bailey Caliban and Sayo Kamara. Nutter was represented by Mike Joyce and Trevor Larkin of CBRE, reflecting continued engagement by national brokerage firms in Manhattan’s office leasing activity.
Ownership is committing $16 million in capital investments at 5 Grand Central East to upgrade the property with state-of-the-art infrastructure. These improvements are intended to modernize building systems and enhance the overall quality of the asset, supporting its positioning within the competitive Class A segment of the local office market. The investment program follows a recent rebranding of the property; the building was formerly known as 655 Third Ave. and was renamed 5 Grand Central East at the end of 2025.
The combination of Nutter’s expansion, the lease renewal and the announced capital improvement plan highlights an effort to align the building with current tenant expectations for modern office environments. In a market where location and building quality remain key differentiators, 5 Grand Central East’s proximity to major transit and its ongoing upgrades may help reinforce its role as a destination for professional services firms seeking Manhattan office space.
