Landlord drops rent-collection suit against Prabal Gurung (Updated)

GFP Real Estate had sought $600,000 in missed payments before filing a discontinuance Sept. 2

247 West 37th Street and Prabal Gurung (Google Maps, Getty)
247 West 37th Street and Prabal Gurung (Google Maps, Getty)

UPDATED Sept. 2, 2021, 9:45 a.m.: A Midtown landlord has dropped a rent-collection suit against Prabal Gurung, the designer’s eponymous fashion brand, for allegedly falling behind on rent.

The company was sued by GFP Real Estate for failing to pay $600,000 through Aug. 1. GFP had not received any rent payments on the commercial premises at 247 West 37th Street since May, according to court documents filed in New York Supreme Court.

A week later, GFP apparently dropped the suit, according to a notice of discontinuance filed Sept. 2. The circumstances around the discontinuance aren’t clear.

Neither GFP nor Prabal Gurung immediately responded to requests for comment.

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Gurung is known for dressing Michelle Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker and Anne Hathway, among other celebrities. He started the brand in 2009 and later forged a partnership with Target to collaborate on fashion. GFP is known for having a stake in the Flatiron building.

It isn’t the first time a commercial tenant has halted rent payments during the pandemic. As landlords and tenants bump heads, and legal disputes stack up, judges remain mixed on whether rent is owed during the pandemic.

This article has been updated to reflect the notice of discontinuance filed Sept. 2.

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