Safehold (NYSE:SAFE) Inc is a real estate investment company specializing in the ownership and management of ground leases for commercial properties across the United States. By focusing exclusively on long-term net leases—commonly referred to as ground rents—Safehold provides a capital-efficient financing solution for real estate developers and operators, enabling them to allocate equity toward vertical construction rather than land acquisition. The company’s business model centers on acquiring the land beneath office buildings, multifamily properties, hospitality assets, and industrial facilities, then leasing it back to the building owners under long-duration contracts with built-in rental escalations.
Founded in 2017 as a spin-off from iStar Inc. under the name iStar Ground Lease, the company rebranded to Safehold in 2020 to reflect its mission of reimagining the $4 trillion ground lease asset class. Since its inception, Safehold has aimed to revitalize this historic form of real estate financing by standardizing lease terms, improving transparency, and mitigating residual value risk for landowners and tenants alike. Through strategic partnerships with institutional and regional developers, the firm continues to expand its portfolio in major metro areas, including New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Safehold structures each ground lease with contractual rent escalations over 99-year terms, offering tenants predictable and cost-effective access to land while preserving their equity for building improvements and operational growth. The company retains ownership of the underlying real estate, deriving a stable, long-duration income stream, and benefits from residual land value appreciation. Safehold’s underwriting and portfolio management teams leverage extensive experience in real estate finance and credit risk to maintain a diversified tenant base spanning various property types and geographic markets.
Headquartered in New York City, Safehold is led by Chief Executive Officer Brent Kelsey and a seasoned management team with deep expertise in real estate investment, capital markets, and asset management. The company’s governance structure emphasizes disciplined underwriting, risk management, and transparency, positioning Safehold as a leading innovator in the ground lease sector and a long-term partner to developers seeking alternative financing strategies.
