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Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON , D.C. 20549 ( Mark One ) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 ( d ) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FORM 10 - K TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 ( d ) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31 , 2020 OR Maryland ( State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization ) For the transition period from Title of each class None Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT , Inc. ( Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter ) Commission File Number : 000-55605 1520 E. Grand Ave El Segundo , California 90245 ( Address of principal executive offices ) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 ( b ) of the Act : to ( 310 ) 469-6100 ( Registrant's telephone number ) N / A ( Former name , former address and former fiscal year , if changed from last report . ) Trading Symbol ( s ) None 46-4654479 ( IRS Employer Identification No. ) 1 Name of each exchange on which registered None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 ( g ) of the Act : Common Stock , $ 0.001 par value per share Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well - known seasoned issuer , as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act . Yes Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 ( d ) of the Act . No ý Yes No ý "