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by Rosen's RFR Holding has refused to vacate the Chrysler Building after Cooper Union sent Cushman & Wakefield to take over last month. The school is now seeking a court order to eject RFR, escalating a power struggle over the iconic skyscraper. In response to RFR's lawsuit challenging Cooper Union's termination of their long-term ground lease, Cooper Union's attorneys have called Rosen's move "shameful" and an attempt to re-trade a previous agreement.

    Cooper Union is asking the court to dismiss RFR's lawsuit and order Rosen's company to hand over control of the building. A spokesperson for RFR stated that they remain open to negotiating a deal, but an economically feasible agreement has yet to be reached. The dispute began in 2019 when RFR bought the lease on the Chrysler Building for $150 million, significantly lower than the $800 million paid by Abu Dhabi Investment Council in 2008.

    Cooper Union claims that both parties agreed on a modification to the ground lease in May 2023, which would have lowered rent payments in exchange for a lump sum. However, RFR allegedly couldn't raise the necessary capital, and Cooper Union terminated the lease effective September 27. RFR disputes this, claiming Cooper Union failed to properly serve notice and owes them $21 million in back rent. Some tenants are confused about where to send their rent checks, with two filing court cases to resolve the issue.