---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001541401-25-000029"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ESRT"
cik: "0001541401"
company_name: "Empire State Realty Trust, Inc."
filed_at: "2025-09-22T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-17T05:58:05.697566+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# EVP Real Estate Thomas Durels to transition duties; Kass and Renton named Co-Heads

## Summary
- Thomas Durels to step down as EVP Real Estate by June 30, 2026; will serve as Senior Consultant through June 2027.
- Ryan Kass (Chief Revenue Officer) and Jackie Renton (ex-Atlas Capital COO) appointed Co-Heads of Real Estate, reporting to CEO and President.
- Durels retains $757,050 base salary, continued equity vesting, and 2025 bonus eligibility; separation benefits include 2026/2027 cash bonuses and equity awards totaling over $2M.
- Transition agreement includes non-disclosure, non-compete, and a full release of claims; separation payments contingent on signing additional release after termination.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001541401-25-000029
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ESRT
- cik: 0001541401
- company_name: Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
- filed_at: 2025-09-22T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1541401/000154140125000029/0001541401-25-000029-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1541401/000154140125000029/esrt-20250919.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001541401-25-000029
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001541401-25-000029.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001541401-25-000029.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.