FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long-term Midtown deal brings nonprofit’s operations under one roof to support efficiency, collaboration and future growth
NEW YORK (July 16, 2026) — GFP Real Estate and OPEN Impact Real Estate (OPEN) announced the successful completion of a 34,300-square-foot lease transaction on behalf of the Center for Justice Innovation, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing community justice and public safety initiatives nationwide, at 520 Eighth Ave. in Midtown Manhattan. The transaction includes a long-term extension, expansion and consolidation of the nonprofit’s administrative headquarters operations within the building.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Center for Justice Innovation will relocate into approximately 34,300 square feet across a portion of the 18th floor and the entire 19th floor at the property as part of a new 20-year lease extension. The organization has occupied space at 520 Eighth Ave. since 1999, expanding over time as additional space became available within the building.
The new layout will allow the Center for Justice Innovation to consolidate operations previously spread across three non-contiguous floors into a more cohesive and efficient administrative headquarters designed to support future programmatic growth and evolving workplace needs. The redesigned space will feature expanded collaborative areas, flexible meeting and training spaces, and modern workplace amenities intended to foster greater connectivity, increase in-office engagement and support the organization’s long-term operational strategy. While the transaction represents a modest increase in square footage, the consolidation significantly expands the organization’s usable operational capacity and flexibility.
The transaction structure also provides the Center for Justice Innovation with the future ability to convert the lease into a leasehold condominium, allowing the nonprofit to benefit from tax exemptions available to qualifying nonprofit institutions.
The tenant was represented by OPEN’s Stephen Powers and Jake Cinti. Landlord representation was handled in-house by Matthew Mandell of GFP Real Estate.
“Center for Justice Innovation has been part of the 520 Eighth Ave. community for more than 25 years, and we’re proud to continue supporting the organization through this next phase of growth,” said Matthew Mandell of GFP Real Estate. “As one of New York City’s largest landlords to nonprofit organizations, GFP has long believed in creating office environments that foster collaboration, connectivity and long-term institutional stability. This transaction further reinforces 520 Eighth Ave.’s position as one of Manhattan’s premier hubs for mission-driven organizations.”
“As the role of the workplace continues to evolve, nonprofits are increasingly approaching real estate as a strategic tool to deepen impact and support long-term sustainability,” said Jake Cinti of OPEN. “By consolidating the Center for Justice Innovation’s operations into a modernized and highly efficient headquarters, this transaction not only positions the organization for continued growth and long-term savings, but creates a workplace environment that reflects its standing as a leading community justice organization—embodying the dignity, humanity and collaborative spirit central to its mission and the communities it serves.”
“As a national organization supported by a combination of federal, city, state and philanthropic funding, CJI’s long-term commitment to its administrative headquarters reflects both the strength of its mission and the enduring value of in-person collaboration and culture-building,” said Stephen Powers, co-founder of OPEN. “Organizations like CJI are doubling down on their commitment to delivering essential services while creating innovative workplace environments that help attract and retain top mission-driven talent in New York City.”
“We are excited to continue our long-standing presence at 520 Eighth Ave. in a space that better reflects the way our organization works today and where we are headed in the future,” said Chief Financial Officer Matthew Savago of the Center for Justice Innovation. “The new office will allow us to bring teams together more effectively, support future growth and continue advancing our mission in a modern, collaborative environment that better supports the way our teams collaborate and deliver services across New York City.”
Located in the Penn District, 520 Eighth Ave. is one of Manhattan’s most prominent nonprofit office buildings, home to a diverse community of mission-driven organizations and institutions. The transaction further reinforces the enduring importance of centrally located, transit-oriented office environments for nonprofit agencies serving communities across New York City.
Built in 1926, 520 Eighth Ave. is a 26-story office tower comprising more than 860,000 square feet of office space. The property is located steps from major transit hubs including Penn Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and the A, C, E, 1, 2 and 3 subway lines, providing tenants with exceptional accessibility throughout the region.
BUILDING IMAGES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1jasdrtywke163m/AABW2Qq8-XUO7BvmCm9NzbEra?dl=0
Headshot images (credit: OPEN, GFP Real Estate):
Matthew Mandell headshot
Jake Cinti headshot
Stephen Powers headshot
LinkedIn Profiles:
GFP Real Estate LinkedIn
Matthew Mandell LinkedIn
OPEN Impact Real Estate LinkedIn
Jake Cinti LinkedIn
Stephen Powers LinkedIn
About Open Impact Real Estate:
OPEN Impact Real Estate (OPEN) is a certified woman-owned business that delivers a comprehensive range of commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services in partnership with their national affiliate JLL. As a woman-owned enterprise, OPEN is committed to delivering a comprehensive suite of services tailored to empower socially conscious, mission-driven organizations. Renowned as the foremost expert in leveraging physical spaces as a catalyst for change and advancement, OPEN services a host of corporate clients and boasts the largest nonprofit practice in New York City, extending its impact across the United States.
In 2024, OPEN formed a strategic alliance with leading commercial real estate and investment management company JLL. OPEN Impact serves as JLL’s exclusive WBE partner in the Tri-State region and is a national affiliate of the global real estate firm. For more information, please visit www.openregroup.com.
About GFP Real Estate, LLC
GFP Real Estate, LLC is a vertically integrated, multigenerational owner, operator, property manager, and developer with a legacy of shaping New York City and the Tri-State Region since 1952. The company owns and manages over 80 properties comprising more than 18.5 million square feet and is known for its stewardship of some of the city’s most iconic properties.
About The Center for Justice Innovation
The Center for Justice Innovation is a community justice organization that centers safety and racial justice. Since our founding in 1996, the Center has partnered with community members, courts, and the people most impacted to create stronger, healthier, more just communities. Our decades of experience in courts and communities, coupled with our field-leading research and practitioner expertise, help us drive justice nationwide in innovative, powerful, and durable ways. For more information on how and where we work, please visit www.innovatingjustice.org.