The Soloviev Group has landed three long-term leases at its trophy office tower at 9 West 57th Street.
Energy company Hess Corporation signed the largest lease — 19,500 square feet on the 46th floor of the 50-story skyscraper – for its family office. Investment firm Platinum Equity Advisors grabbed 16,000 square feet on the same floor, and hedge fund Beaconlight Capital leased 5,300 square feet on the newly completed amenity floor.
The starting rents ranged from $200 to $240 per square foot, according to Stefan Soloviev. The building – located in the Plaza District with views of Central Park – is 96 percent occupied.
A CBRE team including Howard Fiddle and John Maher represented the landlord. Newmark’s Howard Hersch represented Hess Group, JLL’s Alex Chudnoff represented Beaconlight Capital, and CBRE’s Ben Friedland and Gary Davies represented Platinum Equity.
Soloviev has led a turnaround at the sloped skyscraper since he took over the firm from his late father, Sheldon Solow, in 2020. Solow built the tower in 1974 and was notoriously picky about who could lease at 9 West 57th. He had a propensity to sue tenants. At one point, occupancy dropped into the neighborhood of 50 percent.
Soloviev has made leasing up the building a priority and previously said he was aiming for “the highest rents in the city.” A $45 million renovation included upgrades to the lobby, elevator and technology system. A fitness center features two pools and a golf simulator. Art works by Alberto Giacometti, Henry Matisse, Vincent van Gogh, and Basquiat are on view on the ground floor.
Other tenants include Apollo Global Management, Chanel and Loews Corporation.