George Comfort Tenant Moves from Sublease to Lease More than Doubling HQ Space

CB Insgihts signed on for more than a decade at the 498 Seventh Ave. Midtown tower.

498 Seventh Ave.

NEW YORK CITY—CB Insights (also known as CB Information Services, Inc.) has signed a direct 11-year lease for 43,000 square feet at 498 Seventh Ave. The tech market intelligence company expanded their space, having leased 17,000 square feet on part of the 17th floor in the same building since 2016. Under the new lease, in June 2019, the company will move, taking the entire 12th floor, following its buildout by the owners. The asking rent was in the low $70s.

The 25-story Midtown office tower is located between W. 36th and W. 37th streets. Its owned by a partnership of George Comfort & Sons, Inc., Loeb Partners Realty and JP Morgan Chase Asset Management.

“We are pleased that CB Insights has made a long-term commitment to 498 Seventh Ave. and that we are able to accommodate the company’s impressive growth,” says Peter S. Duncan, president of George Comfort & Sons. He states the company views CB Insights’ transition to a direct lease as a validation of their efforts at tenant services.

The property is undergoing a major capital improvement program, modernizing the building. Renovations include a new façade on the first two floors, and a Gensler-designed lobby featuring three street entrances in addition to two private lobbies for SEIU, the major tenant in the building.

CB Insights analyzes data available through public and private companies and provides business intelligence to Fortune 500 company executives.

Jonathan Sherry, CB Insights’ co-founder and COO, states his company has more than doubled team size and tripled revenue since moving into the building in 2016. “The team at George Comfort & Sons has been a great partner in accommodating our growth and so we’re excited to expand our global headquarters in their building.”

Other notable tenants of the 960,000 square-foot tower include Hazen & Sawyer, Modells Sporting Goods, Milrose Consulting and JP Morgan Chase Bank.

CB Insights was represented by Drew Conner of Dashrock Group, LLC and Ian Lester of Lester Bleckner and Shaw LLP, as counsel.  George Comfort & Sons was represented in-house by Matt Coudert and Andy Conrad, as well as by Cory Tarzik of Blank Rome LLP, as counsel.