UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 9, 2013 (July 5, 2013)

American Realty Capital New York Recovery REIT, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

50 Varick Street

On July 5, 2013, American Realty Capital New York Recovery REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an assignment agreement to acquire an indirect condominium interest in a three-story office and creative studio space located at 50 Varick Street in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan from Varick Investments S.a.r.l.

The description of the studio space located at 50 Varick Street set forth in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01 in its entirety.

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On July 5, 2013, the Company closed on the acquisition of an indirect condominium interest in a three-story office and creative studio space located at 50 Varick Street in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan. The seller was Varick Investments S.a.r.l. The seller has no material relationship with the Company and the acquisition was not an affiliated transaction.

The contract purchase price of the interest in the property was $90.8 million, exclusive of closing costs. The Company funded the acquisition with proceeds from its ongoing initial public offering. The Company received a credit from the seller for the guaranteed maximum renovation completion costs of $12.5 million.

The property contains 158,573 rentable square feet and is 100% leased to a subsidiary of Spring Studios Limited, which guarantees the lease. Spring Studios Limited is a London-based leading provider of creative services to top international fashion, beauty and luxury brands. The lease commences in July 2013 and has a 15-year original lease term. The lease contains rental escalations equal to the Consumer Price Index increase every three years (6% at a minimum, not to exceed 15%) and one ten-year renewal option. The lease is net whereby the tenant is required to pay certain operating expenses, in addition to base rent. The annualized straight-line rental income for the initial lease term is $6.6 million.

A copy of the press release announcing the Company’s acquisition of an interest in a three-story office and creative studio space located at 50 Varick Street in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.