Research Group Moves to Brooklyn

NEW YORK CITY-In the second such transaction in as many weeks, a Manhattan tenant is relocating to Brooklyn. The Social Science Research Council–an independent, not-for-profit research organization founded in 1923–is signing a lease for 25,000 square feet at Forest City Ratner Cos.’ One Pierrepont Plaza in Brooklyn Heights. The organization is migrating from its current space at 810 Seventh Ave. in Midtown Manhattan.

FRCR did not respond to GlobeSt.com inquiries by deadline. However, rents at the company’s nearby MetroTech Center, where advertising agency Uniworld Group signed for 37,000 square feet earlier this month, are in the “mid to high $30s,” an FCRC source told GlobeSt.com last week. Additionally, tenants relocating to the outer boroughs can benefit from tax incentives. By comparison, asking rents at 810 Seventh Ave. range from $65 to $95 per square foot, according to the website of building owner SL Green Realty Corp.

In a prepared statement, Bruce Ratner, chairman and CEO of FCRC, says, “We are very pleased, especially in these challenging economic times, that the SSCRC has chosen Brooklyn Heights and Pierrepont Plaza in particular for the location of its new headquarters.” He calls the council “an important, influential institution, and they will be a great addition to our complex.” SSRC president Craig Calhoun says in a release that “Brooklyn seems like an obvious place to be. [Brooklyn Heights is] a cool, fun neighborhood, which is important for staff morale, adds to the creative feel, and is a great place to invite international guests. Lots of our young, highly educated and creative staff members already live in Brooklyn and we bring hundreds of researchers from all over the world to meetings focused on key social issues.”