GFP Real Estate is pleased to announce that Rockella, provider of professional affordable studio spaces for artists and creatives seeking a community environment, has signed a new 15-year lease for 16,243 square feet of space on the 24th floor of 520 Eighth Ave.
Matthew Mandell of GFP Real Estate represented the landlord, GFP Real Estate in the transaction; Michael Joseph and Aidan Campbell of Colliers represented the tenant. The new space will be Rockella’s first Manhattan location and fourth overall when it opens in late Spring, 2025.
“We are delighted to welcome Rockella to 520 Eighth Ave.,” said Mandell. “The building’s flexible layouts and bright spaces are perfect for Rockella’s innovative operations. We are proud to be a part of their continued growth story while adding another great creative, arts-focused tenant at the building.”
Rockella’s new location, which will feature studio spaces ranging from 100 to 500 square feet, boasts oversized windows that provide sweeping city views and abundant natural light, making it a truly inspiring environment for its artists and makers while fostering creativity and collaboration.
Rockella’s move to this prestigious Garment District address underscores its dedication to operating in a vibrant, centrally located business hub. Situated in the heart of Manhattan’s thriving arts scene, 520 Eighth Ave. offers fine artists access to renowned galleries in Chelsea, iconic museums like MoMA and The Whitney and a host of artist supply stores.
520 Eighth Ave., built in 1926, is a 26-story office tower comprising over 860,000 square feet of office space. It boasts proximity to key transit hubs, including the A, C, E, 1, 2, and 3 subway lines, Amtrak, LIRR, and NJ Transit lines. This accessibility, paired with its amenities, makes it one of Manhattan’s prime office buildings.
About Rockella
Rockella is a dynamic hub for the visual arts, offering studio spaces tailored to inspire creativity, collaboration, and community. It was founded in 2017 out of a personal need for affordable studio space and a vision to create the ideal light-filled creative hub. With three established studio buildings across Queens and Brooklyn—and an anticipated fourth location in Manhattan—Rockella is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for artists to thrive.
Attracting a diverse community of contemporary fine artists, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and start-ups with a creative edge, Rockella provides more than just workspaces. Rockella’s private, sunlit studios offer the space, privacy, and inspiration members need to focus on their craft, while beautifully designed common areas encourage collaboration, experimentation, and the cross-pollination of ideas.
Rockella’s mission goes beyond providing spaces for artists to work—aiming to build a vibrant, inclusive community where creativity thrives. Through open studios, exhibitions, workshops, and events, tenants connect with each other and with the broader public, fostering mutual dialogue and celebrating the creative process.
As Rockella prepares to open its fourth location in Manhattan, they remain dedicated to offering accessible, flexible spaces for artists and creatives at all stages of their careers. At Rockella, creativity meets community, empowering tenants to shape their visions and contribute to the cultural fabric of New York City.
About GFP Real Estate, LLC
Committed to building a better New York since 1952, GFP Real Estate is a vertically integrated owner, operator, property manager and developer of commercial real estate in the New York metropolitan area. With over 57 buildings and more than 13.8 million square feet under ownership, GFPRE’s portfolio includes some of New York’s most iconic real estate assets.
