Multiple-Car Elevator Systems on the Rise

The idea of having an elevator with two independent cabs operating in the same shaft dates back to the 1920s, when Sprague’s Dual Elevator System operated in a 20-story Pittsburgh building. It was taken out of service in 1931 and it wasn’t until 2002, when ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG announced its multiple-car elevator system, that we’d […]

Wireless Emergency Communications Move to Elevators

Building owners often pay hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars each month for the multiple phone lines that ensure communications in their multiple elevators. During an emergency, passengers rely on these elevator phones in case of entrapment or an emergency. They’re a necessary expense, but wouldn’t it be great to be able to […]

High-Tech: One WTC’s Elevator System is Most Advanced in Western Hemisphere

During lunchtime on the construction site of One World Trade Center (OWTC) in Lower Manhattan, crew members and the design team usually spend their break on the 103rd floor. They roll up the construction plans, close their laptops, and eat the sandwiches they’ve brought with them. On a clear day, the view is spectacular: the […]

High-Rise Security Requires Proactive Preparation, Execution

You would never allow a potentially dangerous stranger to enter your home and wander around it without supervision, so why do we often permit such security lapses in the workplace? After all, not only do we spend more time at the job than at home, but the threats in the workplace are, in many ways, […]

Stand-Outs: High-Rise Managers Share Their Team’s Best Practices

Owning or managing a tall building is a lot like operating a small city. Being responsible for the services and infrastructure that keep occupants and tenants in business is a big job. So why not take some suggestions and help from your colleagues when you can get it?

We found some examples of best practices that are being incorporated in high-rise facilities, and arranged them into categories.

High-Rise Hotels That Get IT

High-def flat screens embedded into bathroom mirrors. Electronic doorbell systems that feature guest presence detection and tray removal tracking. Energy management systems that set lighting and temperature levels based on whether guests are in the room, out of the room, or checked out. All of these technologies are being incorporated into upscale…

Buildings Need to Breathe for Maximum Efficiency

When benchmarking more than 400 buildings for New York City’s Local Law 84 this year, we found that median energy consumption for buildings taller than 20 stories was 87 kBtu per square foot. The minimum and maximum ranges were between 50 and 258 kBtu per square foot. What causes such a big difference in energy […]

Southern California High-Rise Hotel Installs Innovative Piping System

Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center, CA, takes its commitment to building a better playground seriously. The entertainment company’s most recent project encompasses a new 21-story Resort Tower that will accompany the existing casino and hotel. The resort recently changed its name. It was formerly known as Harrah’s Rincon, after the American Indian reservation […]

Inside HRF: What’s New in Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems (VRF)?

Using refrigerant as the cooling and heating medium, Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) zoning systems cool or heat each room or zone individually only to the level needed. VRF systems work in both new construction and retrofit projects, and are most often seen in healthcare, education, hospitality, multifamily, and mixed-use facilities. The technology has been available […]

Rise to the Challenge: Three High-Rise Owners Turn Obstacles into Opportunities

Facilities management – especially when it comes to high-rise buildings – is often a game of discovery and problem-solving. But the answers aren’t always clear-cut. Lights being left on, extreme weather, or increased plug load may be to blame for a sudden spike in energy use. HVAC problems could be caused by solar heat gain, tenants overriding central controls, or lack of maintenance. High water bills could be due to leaky toilets, high water pressure, or irrigation […]

Buildings Need to Breathe for Maximum Efficiency

When benchmarking more than 400 buildings for New York City’s Local Law 84 this year, we found that median energy consumption for buildings taller than 20 stories was 87 kBtu per square foot. The minimum and maximum ranges were between 50 and 258 kBtu per square foot. What causes such a big difference in energy […]

High Performance: What Does it Mean for Tall Buildings?

What does “high performance” mean for high-rise towers? Does it involve 100% uptime, net zero energy, or green building projects? Is it a tower with low environmental impact and a healthy indoor atmosphere?

“We’re constantly asking our clients what ‘high performance’ means to them, because some people see it as only tangible things with…

LEDs in the Spotlight: High-Rise Offices Save Energy with New Lighting

Providing energy efficiency and cutting-edge design, LED ambient and task lighting are increasingly being incorporated into high-rise buildings – from the boardroom to the break room. Lighting is one of the largest energy users within a typical commercial high-rise, and LEDs offer superb efficiency and control while enhancing aesthetics. In an era where energy conservation […]

Rise to the Challenge: Three High-Rise Owners Turn Obstacles into Opportunities

Facilities management – especially when it comes to high-rise buildings – is often a game of discovery and problem-solving. But the answers aren’t always clear-cut. Lights being left on, extreme weather, or increased plug load may be to blame for a sudden spike in energy use. HVAC problems could be caused by solar heat gain, tenants overriding central controls, or lack of maintenance. High water bills could be due to leaky toilets, high water pressure, or irrigation […]

Chicago High-Rise Owner Turns Under-Used Top Floor Into ‘Wow’ Suite

A classic Mies van der Rohe-style building, 401 North Michigan was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in the 1960s. Formerly known as the Equitable Building, the 35-story tower sits on the second largest plaza in Chicago. “Pioneer Court is second in size only to the Daley Plaza,” says Eric Taylor, assistant vice president at Zeller Realty Group. “The building purposely has a large plaza area so it could be set back from the road.” [...]

Combat Thermal Stack Effect for Comfort and HVAC Efficiency

Stack effect occurs in all high-rises (and all buildings) in which temperature differences exist: warm air rises when it’s surrounded by cold air because of its lower density, and this phenomenon is what results in the thermal stack effect. Rising warm air reduces pressure in the base of the building, drawing cold air in through open […]

Buildings Need to Breathe for Maximum Efficiency

When benchmarking more than 400 buildings for New York City’s Local Law 84 this year, we found that median energy consumption for buildings taller than 20 stories was 87 kBtu per square foot. The minimum and maximum ranges were between 50 and 258 kBtu per square foot. What causes such a big difference in energy […]

Height of Hospitality: The Unique Challenges of High-Rise Hotels

High-rise hotels offer up some unique challenges. Regardless of the economy, guest satisfaction scores correlate with guest retention, length of stay, and overall hotel success – which ultimately contribute to a healthier bottom line. And facilities management plays an important role in making sure guests are satisfied with hotel facilities and amenities. So how do you overcome common high-rise hotel design and operations challenges to stand out as one of the [...]

Rise to the Challenge: Three High-Rise Owners Turn Obstacles into Opportunities

Facilities management – especially when it comes to high-rise buildings – is often a game of discovery and problem-solving. But the answers aren’t always clear-cut. Lights being left on, extreme weather, or increased plug load may be to blame for a sudden spike in energy use. HVAC problems could be caused by solar heat gain, tenants overriding central controls, or lack of maintenance. High water bills could be due to leaky toilets, high water pressure, or irrigation […]

Best Practices in “Green Cleaning” Restrooms

Most green cleaning programs focus on chemical choices. And that’s a great place to start. However, a more successful program—especially for restrooms—goes beyond by incorporating other approaches: proper equipment, procedures and processes, and training. All minimize the impact of cleaning on the health of janitors, building occupants, and visitors, while protecting the environment as a […]

High-Rise On-Site Composting Gets a Reality Check

New York City’s five boroughs produce an estimated 36,200 tons of garbage daily, totaling 13.2 million tons annually. Many commercial buildings have adopted recycling programs that focus on plastics, aluminum, and paper, but programs for compostable waste aren’t often utilized. Some waste management companies will separate wet trash pick-ups and divert compostable material to an […]

Photoluminescent Egress Path Markings Aid Emergency Evacuation

When the first terrorist bomb attack happened at the New York City World Trade Center (WTC) in 1993, the explosion in the parking garage disabled the WTC’s main electrical power line and knocked out the emergency lighting. The smoke generated rose up to the 93rd floor of both WTC towers, even in the emergency staircases. […]

Fire Protection Assessments in High-Rise Buildings

High-rise facilities typically employ numerous safeguards above and beyond most non-high-rise buildings. Additional requirements regarding the number of fire sprinkler risers, sprinkler system design, and required number of exits are also imposed on “very tall” or “super high-rise” buildings (high-rises more than 420 feet in height). Fire protection assessments (FPAs) – essentially comprehensive fire and […]

Fear the Fire, Not the Fire Alarm

The first time an end user – a facility manager, security guard or building owner – is faced with operating a fire alarm control panel might easily be in an emergency situation. In the midst of such a crisis, it is not the best time to determine which of 20 or 30 different buttons to push. Overly complex fire alarm interfaces make users vulnerable to “floating finger syndrome” –

Enterprise Radio Access Networks for Tall Buildings

In any metropolitan area, iconic green high-rises are a powerful testament to architectural innovation. They have created working environments that allow businesses and economies to grow. However – in the arms race between designing and constructing green buildings that consume as little energy as possible and keeping up with mobile technologies – most new buildings […]

Inside High-Rise Facilities: In-Building Wireless Systems

Concrete, brick, steel, and low-e glass can all block or distort signals – whether wireless, cellular, or RF. In tall towers that accommodate a large number of tenants or occupants, the demand on wireless infrastructure can also slow or impair signal strength. Combine these two factors, and reliable signal strength is an issue that many […]

Height of Hospitality: The Unique Challenges of High-Rise Hotels

High-rise hotels offer up some unique challenges. Regardless of the economy, guest satisfaction scores correlate with guest retention, length of stay, and overall hotel success – which ultimately contribute to a healthier bottom line. And facilities management plays an important role in making sure guests are satisfied with hotel facilities and amenities. So how do you overcome common high-rise hotel design and operations challenges to stand out as one of the [...]

27-Story High-Rise at 123 William Street in Manhattan Gets a Makeover

New York-based architecture firm Spector Group has completed an extensive interior and exterior renovation of the lobby of 123 William Street in Lower Manhattan. The high-rise office building is owned by East End Capital, which acquired the property in October 2013 for about $130 million and immediately set about replacing the lobby, elevators and windows. […]

Panasonic Headquarters Earns LEED Gold and LEED Platinum

Panasonic’s North American headquarters at Two Riverfront Plaza in Newark, New Jersey, is a state-of-the-art, 340,000-square-foot, 12-story Class A office tower. It has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for Commercial Interiors and earlier this year, the building earned LEED Gold Certification for […]

39th Floor of Manhattan’s Pierre Hotel Asking $500,000 Per Month

Several “Grand Suites” have just been introduced to the rental market at The Pierre Hotel including a record breaking $500,000 per month full 39th floor. The Pierre Hotel Residences portfolio includes 10 luxury suites listed by Therese Bateman and Andres Perea-Garzon of Town Fifth Avenue. The Pierre is a luxury hotel located at 2 East […]

Danilo Elez Named Senior VP Services for KONE Americas

KONE has appointed Danilo Elez as senior vice president of the services business for the Americas. Elez will report to Larry Wash, KONE Americas CEO, and will serve as a member of the Americas senior leadership team. He will also be an extended member of the global services leadership team, to develop and facilitate KONE’s […]

LEDs in the Spotlight: High-Rise Offices Save Energy with New Lighting

Providing energy efficiency and cutting-edge design, LED ambient and task lighting are increasingly being incorporated into high-rise buildings – from the boardroom to the break room. Lighting is one of the largest energy users within a typical commercial high-rise, and LEDs offer superb efficiency and control while enhancing aesthetics. In an era where energy conservation […]

55 West Monroe in Chicago Loop Sold for $244 Million

The Hearn Company and Mount Kellett Capital Management have sold 55 West Monroe, a high-rise located in Chicago’s Central Business District’s Central Loop, to John Hancock, the U.S. division of Manulife Financial Corporation, for $244 million. HEARN and Mount Kellett have owned the property through a joint venture since 2011. Stephen Hearn, President and CEO […]

Yelp to Become Anchor Tenant at 55 Hawthorne Street in San Francisco

Yelp has signed a 102,324 square foot lease at 55 Hawthorne Street in San Francisco. The multinational business reviews giant will become anchor tenant occupying 74% of recently acquired office tower. Lease terms were undisclosed. Yelp will occupy approximately 74% of the 11-story, 138,092 square foot office tower which was built in 1970 and features […]

Cushman & Wakefield Named Leasing Agent for 650 California Street

Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed exclusive leasing agent for the office high-rise 650 California Street in San Francisco. Atlanta-based Columbia Property Trust recently purchased the building from New York City-based Tishman Speyer and Prudential Real Estate. The 478,392 sq. ft., 33-story, Class-A building is located within the highly desirable Financial District sub-market in downtown […]

Scale Tilting in Favor Of Landlords in Several Major U.S. Office Markets

The delicate balance between a landlord-favorable market and a tenant-favorable market is approaching a tipping point in several major U.S. cities, according to CBRE’s latest OccupierView report, which analyzes the nation’s office markets from the tenant perspective. Tightening conditions are challenging tenants in most downtown areas from both cost and availability perspectives, the report finds, […]

European Pension Fund Breaks Ground on Seattle Residential High-Rise

Construction has started on Luma, a 24-story, 168-unit condominium tower at 1321 Seneca Street in Seattle. The project, a joint venture between Los Angeles-based Lowe Enterprises and European pension fund Alecta, is the first condominium high-rise building to be developed in the First Hill neighborhood since 1982 and among the first in the downtown Seattle […]

Scale Tilting in Favor Of Landlords in Several Major U.S. Office Markets

The delicate balance between a landlord-favorable market and a tenant-favorable market is approaching a tipping point in several major U.S. cities, according to CBRE’s latest OccupierView report, which analyzes the nation’s office markets from the tenant perspective. Tightening conditions are challenging tenants in most downtown areas from both cost and availability perspectives, the report finds, […]

Restoration Completed at Seattle’s First Skyscraper

The Courtyard Seattle Downtown/Pioneer Square has completed a 19-month, $750,000 restoration of its historic building. The downtown Seattle hotel, at 612 Second Ave., is an adaptive reuse of the 1904 Historic Alaska Building. While the restored Pioneer Square hotel today houses smartly redesigned rooms, a high-tech lobby and numerous modern amenities, the building’s historic roots […]

Window Cleaners Rescued from Southern California High-Rise

The combined efforts of Cal/OSHA, Tractel scaffolding company, and the Orange County Fire Department helped ensure two window washers were able to safely exit a 19-story building last week. The event unfolded at Irvine’s Company Office Properties’ Jamboree Center, a complex of five towers located just off of the 405 Freeway in Irvine, CA. A […]

Six of L.A.’s Top Architects Design “Next Generation of High-Rise Office Space”

Six of Los Angeles’ leading architectural firms have conceptualized innovative office suites for Brookfield Property Partners as part of an initiative called DesignHive by Brookfield. Designed to showcase the next generation of high-rise office space, the project is being developed to provide a visual experience for leasing innovative and progressive work environments in two of […]

25-Story Downtown L.A. High-Rise Sold for $175 Million

Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers has acquired 801 Tower, a 25-story Class-A office building in Downtown Los Angeles, for $175 million. The seller was Mani Brothers Real Estate Group. The single building office tower at 801 South Figueroa Street is one of the last Class A office buildings to be constructed in the submarket and is […]

PM Realty Group Decides to Manage Residential High-Rises In-House

Houston-based PM Realty Group (PMRG), has brought property management services in-house for its multi-family division. The firm has hired 30-year industry veteran Joan Maxwell as Senior Vice President who will work with PMRG Executive Vice President Bryant Nail to expand the business in key markets through the United States, the company announced. Prior to joining […]

18-Story KPMG Plaza at Tops Out in Dallas Arts District

One year after work officially began on the project, Turner Construction Company recently hosted a topping out ceremony for Phase I at Hall Arts. The high-rise office building is part of a five-acre, two-city-block, multi-use real estate project in the center of the Dallas Arts District, owned and being developed by Craig Hall and Hall […]

Austin, Texas High-Rise Nearly Complete and 95% Leased

Colorado Tower, a 29-story high-rise office building under construction at Third and Colorado streets in downtown Austin, Texas, is now 95 percent leased. The developer, Cousins Properties, has signed five new leases totaling 157,279 square feet. Leasing at the 373,000 square-foot, Class-A office development is now 95 percent, up from 51 percent on June 30, […]

29-Story Mixed-Use High-Rise Planned for 1919 Market Street, Philadelphia

Brandywine Realty Trust has formed a 50/50 joint venture partnership with LCOR/CalSTRS for a mixed-use development located at 1919 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The joint venture is planning a 29-story, 455,000 square foot contemporary glass tower in a mixed-use development consisting of residential, retail and parking components. The project will be comprised of 321 […]

Hill Int’l Leases Two Floors at Philly’s One Commerce Square for New Headquarters

Construction risk manager Hill International has signed a lease with Brandywine Realty Trust for approximately 60,000 square feet of trophy-class office space at One Commerce Square located at 2005 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hill will be moving its global corporate headquarters from Marlton, New Jersey and consolidating space with its existing Philadelphia office in […]

Developer Proposes Space Efficient Downtown Pittsburgh Office High-Rise

Pittsburgh-based Oxford Development  has proposed a  new Class-A 20-story office tower in Downtown Pittsburgh. Previously, the developer had been pitching a 33-story high-rise  to replace an existing building at 441 Smithfield Street. The new tower is being called 350 Fifth and was designed to accommodate two anchor tenants and, if built, would be Pittsburgh’s 40th […]

Jacksonville, Florida’s 28-Story Riverplace Tower Sold for $28 Million

Lingerfelt CommonWealth Partners has acquired Riverplace Tower for $29 million. The high-rise office building is located at 1301 Riverplace Boulevard on the Southbank in Jacksonville’s central business district. At 28-stories, the 425,223 square foot Class A office building has long been a fixture of the downtown Jacksonville skyline. When it was completed in 1967, Riverplace […]

Pair of Beach Front High-Rise Residential Towers Planned for Fort Lauderdale

The Related Group and Fortune International Group, both based in Miami, have partnered with The Fairwinds Group of Fort Lauderdale to develop a 171-unit, high-rise beachfront condominium complex in Fort Lauderdale on a 4.6-acre site that is the former home of Ireland’s Inn Beach Resort. “We have assembled a world-class team to create an unmatched […]

Suffolk Construction to Relocate to Miami’s One Biscayne Tower

Taylor & Mathis of Florida has signed Suffolk Construction to a lease at Miami’s One Biscayne Tower. Suffolk Construction is relocating from the airport submarket and expanding their offices into nearly 15,000 square feet downtown. “Suffolk is excited to expand into a larger and more collaborative space in Miami. Not only are the views phenomenal, […]

Parkway Properties to Acquire Atlanta’s Buckhead Plaza for $157 Million

Orlando, Florida-based Parkway Properties has reached an agreement to acquire One Buckhead Plaza, a 462,000 square foot Class A high-rise office building located in Atlanta. The office tower, designed by Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates and built in 1988, is located at the intersection of Peachtree Road and West Paces Ferry Road in the Buckhead […]

Wood Partners Breaks Ground on $100 Million 33 Peachtree Place in Atlanta

Wood Partners has begun construction on 33 Peachtree Place, a $100 million, 369-unit residential and retail development on the site of a former parking lot on West Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta. The project will include a high-rise and mid-rise apartment building and 20,000 square feet of base-level retail space. Wood Partners expects construction on […]

Atlanta’s Bank of America Plaza Awarded Midtown EcoDistrict Luminary

Atlanta’s Bank of America Plaza has been recognized as a Midtown EcoDistrict Luminary at the Green level by Midtown Alliance. The award is given to companies and buildings that “meet high environmental performance criteria in the areas of energy, water, waste and transportation.” The Luminary program focuses on four main sustainability components: measurement, planning, performance, […]