Counterintuitive? - Is the UN expanding its presence in NY?

Recent articles in NY real estate and business journals have reported that the UN is expanding its office space at 2 United Nations Plaza and a two-story retail space at 1 United Nations Plaza along with extending an already existing lease at those locations. The expansion will bring the UN lease to 425,190 square feet spread across 26 stories.

"The United Nations (UN) has signed a 425,190-square-foot office lease renewal and expansion at 2 United Nations Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. The lease encompasses 425,190 square feet across 26 stories, consolidating and expanding the UN’s New York City footprint, including a two-story retail component at 1 United Nations Plaza. 

The UN will now occupy nearly all the office space at 2 UN Plaza, which spans levels two through 26 at the property. In addition, the lease extension brings together operations previously split between 1 and 2 UN Plaza, which are currently in the midst of a $500 million capital improvement program. Jim Saunders, Jason Perla and Roy Abernathy of Newmark represented the UN in the negotiations. Scott Gottlieb of CBRE represented the landlord, which according to Wikipedia is a partnership between the United Nations Development Corp. and Millennium & Copthorne Hotels."

Click here for “UN renews, expands headquarters with 425,000‑square‑foot lease at United Nations Plaza”  in the  New York Business Journal 
 Click here for “United Nations Signs 425,190 SF Office Lease Renewal, Expansion in Midtown Manhattan” in ReBusiness Online"