- KKR will relocate and expand its Boston office with a 132,500 SF lease at International Place, a major move that more than doubles its prior footprint.
- The 15-year lease adds to a growing trend of large firms recommitting to Boston’s urban core, following Hasbro’s 265K SF HQ move earlier this month.
- The move comes as downtown Boston begins to show signs of recovery, with Q2 office vacancy dipping to 21.2% after years of pandemic-induced disruption.
A Major Downtown Expansion
KKR is making a significant commitment to Boston with a long-term lease at International Place, reports Bisnow. The two-tower, 1.8M SF office complex is located in the heart of the Financial District. The firm’s new 132,500 SF office will more than double its prior footprint at 20 Guest Street in Brighton, positioning it for further local growth.
A Strategic Relocation
The relocation reflects KKR’s intent to invest in Boston talent and scale its operations. “As we’ve outgrown our existing space, this strategic move downtown positions us to invest in local talent and expand our operating platform,” said Burke Malek, head of KKR’s Boston office.
While a KKR spokesperson declined to specify the firm’s current space, reports suggest its Brighton location totaled 46K SF as of 2017. The company currently employs 300+ people in the area and is hiring for 20+ roles.
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Boost For International Place
The 15-year lease gives a major boost to landlord The Chiofaro Co., which began a $100M renovation of International Place after former anchor tenant Eaton Vance vacated 340K SF in 2024. Upgrades include refreshed lobbies and a 16K SF amenity floor connecting the two towers.
Boston’s Comeback
KKR’s lease is the second major office commitment in downtown Boston this month. On September 8, Hasbro announced it would relocate its headquarters from Rhode Island to 400 Summer Street in the Seaport. The move will more than double its regional footprint with a 265K SF lease.
The move also marks a win over newer towers like Hines’ South Station Tower and BGI’s 10 World Trade, both of which are still seeking major tenants after being built on spec before the pandemic.
Why It Matters
Boston’s downtown office market has struggled in recent years due to remote work and shifting office preferences. But recent high-profile leases like KKR’s signal improving sentiment. According to JLL, the city’s office vacancy rate has declined for four straight quarters, reaching 21.2% in Q2 2025.
What’s Next
As corporate tenants reassess their space needs in a post-pandemic world, Boston’s Financial District appears poised for a slow but steady rebound. The recovery will likely continue if high-profile companies keep choosing centrally located, transit-accessible office space.
