Two W&H Pre-War Trophy Properties Win BOMA/NY Pinnacle Awards

NEW YORK, NY—The Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater New York (BOMA/NY) has named two W&H Pre-War Trophy properties—the Empire State Building and One Grand Central Place—as 2010 Pinnacle award winners for the Historical Building of the Year and the Operating Building of the Year (over 1,000,000 square feet), respectively, announces Anthony E. Malkin, president of W&H Properties.

According to BOMA’s website, the Historical Building award honors “commitment to the preservation of their historical integrity while taking full advantage of the improvements of the modern era.”  The Operating Building of the Year honors “outstanding operations including energy management, emergency preparedness, environmental compliance, community impact, tenant relations, operational standards, training excellence and overall attractiveness.”

“We’ve worked very hard to reposition and reinvest in these buildings to make them what they are today, so we’re genuinely thrilled that the real estate community has recognized our efforts,” says  Malkin.

W&H is investing more than $550 million in the Empire State Building to upgrade its infrastructure, public areas and amenities, including the restoration of its Art Deco lobby and ceiling, and pioneering an innovative process for a world-leading energy efficiency retrofit program in partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative, Rocky Mountain Institute, Johnson Controls and Jones Lang LaSalle.  When the work is complete, the building’s total energy consumption will be reduced by 38% and will target an Energy Star rating of 90 and LEED EB-Gold certification.

One Grand Central Place has completed an extensive transformation, with more than $85 million of upgrades to its windows, elevators, air-conditioned public corridors and restrooms, and building-wide systems, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC and security.

“These buildings, along with the other seven Pre-War Trophy buildings in the W&H portfolio, are on the shortlists for the top brokers and most prestigious tenants in the city,” Malkin notes.  “Only a few years ago, the properties were garnering little attention.  The BOMA/NY awards are yet another reflection of how far we’ve come in a short period of time.”

The W&H Properties Pre-War Trophy office portfolio includes 112 West 34th Street, 501 Seventh Avenue, 1333 Broadway, 1350 Broadway, 1359 Broadway, 1400 Broadway, and 250 West 57th Street, in addition to the Empire State Building and One Grand Central Place.

W&H Properties is committed to sustainable property operations and development, including energy efficiency, water use reduction, waste and recycling and indoor environmental quality initiatives.