Ground Lease Broker Manhattan NYC

A ground lease is a long-term arrangement (typically 99 years in NYC) where a landowner leases land to a tenant who builds or improves the property. Ground leases are popular in Manhattan because they allow developers to access prime locations with reduced upfront capital while providing landowners with inflation-protected long-term income streams and retained ownership.

Critical ground lease terms include: lease duration (typically 49-99 years), base rent and escalation structure, rent reset provisions, subordination/non-subordination status, purchase options, improvement ownership during and after the lease, financing rights, and assignment/sublease provisions. Robert Khodadadian has expertise structuring all these elements.

Ground lease valuation considers: land value, lease term remaining, rent relative to market, escalation provisions, reset risk, subordination status, improvement value, and comparable transactions. Our $65M 236 Fifth Avenue and $35M 135 West 29th Street deals provide market-leading comparables.

Rent resets are periodic adjustments (typically every 20-25 years) that bring ground rent to market levels. Poorly structured resets can dramatically increase tenant costs or reduce landlord returns. Robert Khodadadian is featured in Commercial Observer discussing reset strategies and creative structuring approaches.

With $120M+ in closed ground lease transactions including landmark deals at 236 Fifth Avenue ($65M), 135 West 29th Street ($35M), and 4-14 West 125th Street ($20M), Robert Khodadadian has established expertise across NoMad, Chelsea, and Harlem. He has been featured in Commercial Observer discussing ground lease strategy and is recognized as a go-to advisor for complex lease structures.

Ground leases suit landowners seeking: long-term family wealth preservation, inflation-protected income, continued ownership/appreciation participation, estate planning benefits, and avoidance of capital gains taxes. Sales are preferable when immediate liquidity is needed or market timing favors disposition. Skyline Properties advises on optimal structure for each situation.