New Deals Bring Seventh Avenue Boutique Office Tower to Full Occupancy
499 Seventh Avenue, a 25-story, 180,000 square-foot boutique tower located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, continues to be a hot address for fashion and office tenants looking for high-quality space. Savitt Partners, the exclusive leasing agent, recently signed two renewals and one new lease at the property that is currently 100 percent occupied. Elliot […]
World Trade Center Memorial Museum Designer Explains His Monumental Task
In 2007, Tom Hennes, principal of Thinc Design, walked into Hangar 17 at New York City’s JFK Airport, the 80,000-sq.-ft. building that had become the repository of more than 1,500 artifacts from the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. As lead designer of the National September 11 Memorial Museum, Hennes’ charge on that day […]
Corcoran’s Bill Cunningham Hired as President of Trump International Realty
The Trump Organization announced today that it has appointed Bill Cunningham as president of its luxury brokerage firm, Trump International Realty. Cunningham will be charged with overseeing all operations and management of Trump International Realty which is headquartered in New York City at 108 Central Park South along with additional offices in New York City, […]
Lerch Bates Appoints Jim Turner Project Manager, Great Lakes Region
Lerch Bates announced that vertical transportation industry leader Jim Turner has been named project manager, elevator consulting group, in its Great Lakes area office. Turner joins the world’s oldest and largest consulting firm for vertical transportation, façade access and building logistics armed with more than 22 years of comprehensive experience in the elevator and escalator […]
Danny Nikitas Appointed Managing Director of Avison Young’s Chicago Office
Industry veteran Danny Nikitas has been hired as Managing Director of Avison Young’s Chicago office. With more than 25 years of commercial real estate industry experience, most recently as an Executive Vice-President with MB Real Estate in Chicago, Nikitas also joins Avison Young as a Principal. In his new role, Nikitas will manage Avison Young’s […]
Once Distressed Chicago Apartment Development Sold for a Profit
Abacus Capital Group LLC has purchased Trio Apartments in Chicago’s West Loop Multifamily submarket for about $40 million. Trio is a 100-unit, boutique-style luxury downtown apartment tower. HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, a joint venture between AEW Capital Management, L.P. and Marquette Companies. the deal has been in the works since […]
Company Expands from Taco Bell Parking Lot to San Francisco High-Rise
AnyPerk, an online platform that provides companies with employee perks and discounts, has signed a new 13,132-sq. ft. office lease at 33 New Montgomery in San Francisco. Cushman & Wakefield Senior Director Jon Dishotsky and Associate Cutter MacLeod represented AnyPerk in the transaction. The landlord, Equity Office Properties, was represented by Mark Anderson and Ross […]
Columbia Property Trust Acquires San Francisco High-Rise for $228.8 Million
Columbia Property Trust, Inc. has acquired 221 Main Street, a 16-story, 387,943-square-foot, LEED Platinum Class-A office tower in San Francisco, California, for a total purchase price of $228.8 million. The purchase price includes the Company’s assumption of a $73.0 million interest-only loan secured by the property that matures in May 2017 and bears interest at […]
LinkedIn Leases Entire High-Rise Under Construction at 222 Second Street in San Francisco
LinkedIn has signed a lease for the entire 26-story building under construction by Tishman Speyer at 222 Second Street in San Francisco. The City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development estimates that the nearly 450,000 square feet of office space can accommodate approximately 2,500 employees. “As a national leader in job creation, San Francisco is […]
Sales Center for $1.2 Billion Project Provides Buyers an Interactive Experience
Developer Kemper Freeman Jr has borrowed a page from the video game industry to solve a common real estate problem: how to sell a space that has yet to be built. Putting a high-tech spin on the traditional architectural model, the Kemper Development Company has introduced an immersive sales center experience. The multi-million dollar sales […]
University of Washington Selects Wright Runstad to Develop Seattle High-Rise
The University of Washington Board of Regents approved the selection of Wright Runstad & Company to redevelop Rainier Square, a 140,000 square foot retail property that is part of the University’s Metropolitan Tract in downtown Seattle. Wright Runstad & Company was selected through a competitive process managed by the University of Washington. With an 80-year […]
New High-Rise Office Tower Planned for Downtown Bellevue, Washington
West coast developer Schnitzer West plans to build a 16-story Class A+ office building in Bellevue, Washington. The project site is located in the central business district on the corner of 106th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Fourth Street. Plans call for a 360,000-square foot office building that will include street-level retail and a Bank of […]
Irvine Company Named San Diego’s Energy Grand Champion for Efficient Portfolio
At the ninth annual San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Energy Showcase event on May 13th, Irvine Company Office Properties was honored by SDG&E as the Energy Grand Champion for 2013 for its outstanding results in energy efficiency and conservation. Irvine Company Office Properties was honored for enhancing its commitment to saving natural resources by […]
Finalists for Urban Green Council’s EBie Awards Announced
They’ve saved over 30 million gallons of water, enough energy for 1.7 million Americans per year, and affected over 14 million square feet of property: After months of planning and intense competition, Urban Green Council will unveil the winners of the third annual EBie Awards on June 9. The EBies award high performing existing buildings […]
U.S. Bank Renews Lease at U.S. Bank Tower in Downtown L.A.
U.S. Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles will remain U.S. Bank Tower for at least another 10 years. The bank renewed its anchor lease with the building’s owner, Singapore-based Overseas Union Enterprise Limited (OUE), for ten-years for office and retail space totalling 105,000 square feet with an option to extend for an additional decade. Including […]
Veolia’s New Boston Office Renovation Achieves LEED Gold Certification
Veolia’s new North American headquarters, at Exchange Place in Boston’s Financial District, has received LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors certification by the USGBC this month. Veolia Energy North America, operator of one the country’s largest portfolio of district energy networks and cogeneration facilities, moved into the 27,440-square-foot space, which comprises the entire 14th floor of […]
Boston RDA Approves 1.2 Million Square-Feet of Development
The Boston Redevelopment Authority Board approved a number of projects and initiatives throughout Boston last week. The ten approved development projects represent over $461.2 million of investment in the city and over 1.2 million square feet of development. When these projects break ground, they will create nearly 1,400 construction jobs. The BRA Board voted to […]
Massachusetts Hotels Must Comply with Food Waste Disposal Ban by October
Massachusetts’ statewide commercial food waste disposal ban will take effect on Oct. 1, 2014. The ban was designed to divert food waste to energy-generating and composting facilities and reduce the state’s waste stream. Large hotels are among the estimated 1,700 facilities that will be impacted. “We are committed to protecting our natural resources and creating […]
Petroleum Club of Houston Leases Top Floor of 35-Story Total Plaza
The Petroleum Club of Houston has leased 30,000 square-feet, including the top floor of Total Plaza at 1201 Louisiana St. in Downtown Houston. The Petroleum Club is leaving its former location at the ExxonMobil building on Bell Street after 50 years of residence. Total Plaza is a 35-story, 892,000-square-foot office tower located in the heart […]
Austin’s 100 Congress Earns LEED EB Certification
100 Congress in Austin, Texas has been awarded LEED EB (Existing Building) Gold status by the USGBC. The 100 Congress building is a 22-story, 411,536 square foot Class “A” office building located at the corner of 2nd Street and Congress Avenue. Designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, the building has polished sunset-red granite exterior with […]
Busy Developer Building Chicago and Houston High-Rises
Illinois-based Marquette Companies anticipates breaking ground in the second quarter of 2014 on a 364-unit, 29-story apartment building with approximately 7,700 square feet of ground floor retail/restaurant space in downtown Houston. Marquette is utilizing the Downtown Living Initiative (Chapter 380), which is effectively a development grant provided to the first 2,500 units to be developed […]
North Dallas DoubleTree Hotel Tower Changes Hands
The DoubleTree Dallas – Campbell Centre, a 300-room, 21-story full-service hotel has been sold to Woodland, Texas-based Black Forest Ventures, a privately held asset management firm specializing in commercial real estate, hospitality, aviation and technology investments founded by Dirk Laukien. Located at 8250 North Central Expressway, the hotel is within the Campbell Centre mixed-use development […]
Austin’s 100 Congress Earns LEED EB Certification
100 Congress in Austin, Texas has been awarded LEED EB (Existing Building) Gold status by the USGBC. The 100 Congress building is a 22-story, 411,536 square foot Class “A” office building located at the corner of 2nd Street and Congress Avenue. Designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, the building has polished sunset-red granite exterior with […]
Uptown Dallas’ Future Tallest Office Tower Signs Anchor Tenant
One of Dallas’ largest law firms, Gardere Wynne Sewell, has signed on to become the anchor tenant at a tower set to begin construction this summer. The firm is leaving Thanksgiving Tower for Crescent Real Estate’s 20-story high-rise. Gardere’s approximately 109,000 square foot lease will kick-start the development at 2021 McKinney Avenue. Gardere will move […]
Sovereign Capital Plans Sale of 1818 Beneficial Bank Place in Philadelphia
San Diego-based Sovereign Capital Management Group plans to sell 1818 Beneficial Bank Place, a 37-story, Class-A office building with more than 1,000,000 square feet, located at 1818 Market Street in the Market Street West Submarket of Center City Philadelphia. Cushman & Wakefield has been engaged to take the property to market. Despite its location at […]
Brandywine Breaks Ground on Philly’s 49-Story FMC Tower at Cira Centre South
With fireworks, a 50-foot banner and a dramatic unveiling in which partner logos were unearthed at the project site at 30th and Walnut Streets, more than 200 dignitaries and guests gathered on Wednesday to mark the groundbreaking for FMC Tower at Cira Centre South – the final phase of Brandywine Realty Trust’s transformative 2.7 million […]
Aimco Renovating Two of its Philadelphia High-Rise Apartment Properties
Skanska USA won a $15.2 million contract to complete the second phase of renovations at the Sterling high-rise apartments in Philadelphia. The 29-story tower, built in 1961, has 550 apartments, 23,000 square feet of retail space and 93,000 square feet of office space. The apartments are fully occupied. In this phase of the renovation, Skanska […]
ATIS Acquires Florida-Based Elevator Inspection Company
St. Louis-based ATIS Elevator Inspections, a subsidiary of American Testing & Inspection Services, continues their agressive growth by acquiring A-1 Elevator Inspection, Inc., based in the Tampa, Florida area. Last month ATIS acquired Columbia, South Carolina-based Palmetto Safety Inspections, LLC. With 7 Qualified Elevator Inspectors, A-1 has provided consulting, test witnessing, inspection and certification services […]
Finalists for Urban Green Council’s EBie Awards Announced
They’ve saved over 30 million gallons of water, enough energy for 1.7 million Americans per year, and affected over 14 million square feet of property: After months of planning and intense competition, Urban Green Council will unveil the winners of the third annual EBie Awards on June 9. The EBies award high performing existing buildings […]
New Luxury High-Rise to Bring “La Dolce Vita” to Fort Lauderdale’s Middle River
Premier Developers, best known locally for its “La Rive” condo which premiered in 2005, is introducing a new level of “la dolce vita” – Italian for “the sweet life” – to the up-and-coming Middle River area in Fort Lauderdale with RIVA, a 100-residence luxury riverfront condominium. Merging the laid-back Fort Lauderdale waterfront lifestyle with exquisitely […]
Groundbreaking Next Week for Midtown Atlanta Student Housing High-Rise
Dallas, Texas-based Inland American Communities Group, Inc. (IAC) will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for its newest University House property, University House Midtown, on Wednesday, May 14th, at 10:00 a.m. Located at the corner of Spring Street and 8th Street in Atlanta, the high-rise residenctial tower will be adjacent to the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia […]
Atlanta’s 72-Story Westin Peachtree Plaza Completes $70 Million Transformation
The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta’s iconic John Portman-designed hotel, has completed the final phase of its grand $70 million renovation. In partnership with Atlanta architecture firm Cooper Cary, Atlanta interior designer Carolyn Auger of Blackdog Studio and contractor Balfour Beatty, every interior element of the hotel from the redesigned lobby, all 1,073 guest rooms and […]
Developer Reacquires Atlanta High-Rise it Built 50 Years Ago
An Atlanta-based developer, Portman Holdings, has purchased 230 Peachtree Street, a 414,768-square-foot office tower in downtown Atlanta. The 50-year-old building was first developed as an office building by Portman in 1965 as part of the Peachtree Center mixed-use development. Renovation will commence immediately to convert the 27-story building. Upon completion, office space will occupy approximately […]
ATIS Acquires Florida-Based Elevator Inspection Company
St. Louis-based ATIS Elevator Inspections, a subsidiary of American Testing & Inspection Services, continues their agressive growth by acquiring A-1 Elevator Inspection, Inc., based in the Tampa, Florida area. Last month ATIS acquired Columbia, South Carolina-based Palmetto Safety Inspections, LLC. With 7 Qualified Elevator Inspectors, A-1 has provided consulting, test witnessing, inspection and certification services […]
National Elevator Industry, Inc. Announces 2014 Board of Directors
The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) announced today the election of its new Board of Directors, including officers and Trust Committee members. These elections became effective April 29, 2014, and were made in conjunction with NEII’s 80th annual meeting held in Hartford, CT. This year also marks NEII’s 100th anniversary as the premier national trade […]
ATIS Acquires South Carolina-Based Palmetto Safety Inspections
St. Louis-based ATIS Elevator Inspections, a subsidiary of American Testing & Inspection Services has acquired Columbia, South Carolina-based Palmetto Safety Inspections, LLC. Founded in 2011 by Jerry Butler, former Chief Elevator Inspector for the state of South Carolina, Palmetto Safety Inspections provides inspection services for elevators, escalators, moving walks, lifts and other means of mechanized […]
14 Wall Street Upgrades Security and Access Control Systems
14 Wall Street, in lower Manhattan, has completed a comprehensive access control installation and upgrade. Constructed in 1914, 14 Wall Street hosts 1.04-million-square-feet of commercial space. The 37-story building is located directly across from the New York Stock Exchange. The building was designated as a New York City Landmark in 1997. More than 15 perimeter […]
Universal Protection Service Acquires Atlanta-Based ISMG
Universal Protection Service has acquired International Security Management Group, Inc. (ISMG). With their corporate office located in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1990, ISMG have been providing superior security and risk management services to companies and corporations throughout the country. “We are excited to announce that today we will be bringing ISMG and their key managers into […]
Luxury High-Rise Condo Installs State-of-the-Art Biometric Access Control
Biometric devices for access control have been installed at Panorama Towers, an award-winning, luxury high-rise residential condominium complex located in Paradise, Nevada. The successful deployment was led by RVNUE Technologies, a provider of security systems integration and solutions. Between the two high-rise buildings at Panorama Towers, more than 70 access points were placed under access […]
Veolia’s New Boston Office Renovation Achieves LEED Gold Certification
Veolia’s new North American headquarters, at Exchange Place in Boston’s Financial District, has received LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors certification by the USGBC this month. Veolia Energy North America, operator of one the country’s largest portfolio of district energy networks and cogeneration facilities, moved into the 27,440-square-foot space, which comprises the entire 14th floor of […]
Tenants File Lawsuit Alleging High-Rise Apartments Lack Heat
The LeFrak Organization, one of the largest landlords in New York City, put the deep freeze on thousands of Battery Park City residents during one of the coldest winters in recent memory. That is the accusation at the heart of a class action lawsuit filed yesterday in Supreme Court, New York County by the law […]
ABM Acquires San Diego-Based Alpha Mechanical Service
ABM Building Services has acquired the service assets of Alpha Mechanical, a provider of HVAC service, energy solutions, building controls, plumbing service and process piping. Alpha Mechanical is headquartered in San Diego, CA and maintains operations throughout Southern California. The transaction closed on March 4, 2014. Alpha’s design and build construction business will continue to […]
Irvine Company Named San Diego’s Energy Grand Champion for Efficient Portfolio
At the ninth annual San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Energy Showcase event on May 13th, Irvine Company Office Properties was honored by SDG&E as the Energy Grand Champion for 2013 for its outstanding results in energy efficiency and conservation. Irvine Company Office Properties was honored for enhancing its commitment to saving natural resources by […]
Con Edison Installing Solar Panels at Its Manhattan Office Tower
Con Edison is installing a solar array at its landmark office tower in Manhattan. The utility giant has installed more than 200 panels atop a 19th-story roof at 4 Irving Place. The panels, manufactured in the United States by Suniva Inc., generate 40 kilowatts of renewable power. That’s enough electricity to light two floors at […]
Researchers Developing High-Rise Windows Capable of Generating Electricty
An innovative developer of next generation alternative and renewable energy technologies hopes to soon be outfitting high-rise buildings with windows that generate electricity. Maryland-based New Energy Technologies has already developed see-through coatings capable of generating electricity on glass and flexible plastics. Their newest window arrays, which they call SolarWindow, measure ablout 36 square-inches and have highly-uniform, colored […]
Emergency Lighting Keeps Employees Safe and Your Facility Compliant
Emergency lights and exit signs are one of the most integral, yet overlooked, elements of a building’s life safety program. When the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) fines your business for non-compliant emergency lighting, it can cost up to $7,000 for a first-time violation and as much as $70,000 for a repeat violation. “Much […]
Leading High-Rise Architecture, Interior Design Firms Form Partnership
International luxury design firm Wilson Associates is joining forces with East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd. (ECADI). In a joint statement, the firms announced that their partnership will create a dominant new force in the architectural design industry. “As one of the world’s most renowned architecture firms, we wanted to align our […]
FCC: Light Bulbs at Ernst & Young Plaza in L.A. Cause Cell Phone Interference
New York City-based Brookfield Office Properties, the owner of a downtown Los Angeles high-rise, was cited this month by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) after it was discovered that light bulbs inside the 41-story Ernst & Young Plaza caused interference with cell phone signals. The cell phone interference has mostly affected Verizon customers, but customers […]
Lerch Bates Appoints Jim Turner Project Manager, Great Lakes Region
Lerch Bates announced that vertical transportation industry leader Jim Turner has been named project manager, elevator consulting group, in its Great Lakes area office. Turner joins the world’s oldest and largest consulting firm for vertical transportation, façade access and building logistics armed with more than 22 years of comprehensive experience in the elevator and escalator […]
UNStudio Designs Responsive Facade for Remodel of Seoul Skyscraper
UNStudio’s design has been selected as the winning entry in the competition for the remodelling of the Hanwha headquarters building in Seoul. The renovation of the office tower incorporates the remodelling of the facade, the interior of the common spaces, lobbies, meeting levels, auditorium and executive areas, along with the redesign of the landscaping. Located […]
Researchers Developing High-Rise Windows Capable of Generating Electricty
An innovative developer of next generation alternative and renewable energy technologies hopes to soon be outfitting high-rise buildings with windows that generate electricity. Maryland-based New Energy Technologies has already developed see-through coatings capable of generating electricity on glass and flexible plastics. Their newest window arrays, which they call SolarWindow, measure ablout 36 square-inches and have highly-uniform, colored […]
Massachusetts Hotels Must Comply with Food Waste Disposal Ban by October
Massachusetts’ statewide commercial food waste disposal ban will take effect on Oct. 1, 2014. The ban was designed to divert food waste to energy-generating and composting facilities and reduce the state’s waste stream. Large hotels are among the estimated 1,700 facilities that will be impacted. “We are committed to protecting our natural resources and creating […]
Guidelines for Infection Control Cleaning
The winter months are when schools, healthcare facilities, offices, and many other types of locations become very concerned about infection control. Fortunately, cleaning professionals can play one of the most important roles in helping to reduce illness and infections. “There are many steps cleaning professionals can take to help improve cleaning results and at the […]
San Francisco Goodwill Placing Collection Bins in Multi-Family High-Rises
SFGoodwill is launching a new initiative that will make donating textiles as convenient as dropping a bottle in a recycling bin. Designed to serve multi-unit apartment towers, the Goodwill goBINTM lets residents donate – and do good – without leaving their buildings. Clothing, shoes, and accessories can be dropped in anytime, eliminating the weekend trip […]
Common Misconceptions Facility Managers Have About Fire Safety
Founded by the International Code Council (ICC), Building Safety Month is celebrated by jurisdictions worldwide during the month of May. Building Safety Month is a public awareness campaign offered each year to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create and sustain safe and sustainable structures. The campaign reinforces the need for […]
Emergency Lighting Keeps Employees Safe and Your Facility Compliant
Emergency lights and exit signs are one of the most integral, yet overlooked, elements of a building’s life safety program. When the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) fines your business for non-compliant emergency lighting, it can cost up to $7,000 for a first-time violation and as much as $70,000 for a repeat violation. “Much […]
Fire Protection Researchers Examine Safety Challenges of Wooden High-Rises
Recent architectural trends have involved the use of engineered wood as a structural material for increasingly tall buildings. The buildings, which are cited for their advantages in sustainability resulting from the use of a renewable construction material, are constructed from wood products including cross laminated timber (CLT), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), or glued laminated timber […]
World’s Largest High-Rise Data Center Lands its First Tenant
Intergate.Manhattan, the world’s largest high-rise data center, has found its first mission critical office tenant. Datagram, an internet and hosting provider in the New York metropolitan area has signed a lease at the 1 million-square-foot facility at 375 Pearl Street in Manhattan. Datagram, which is also a brand new, Tier III data center colocation tenant […]
Empire State Building Among First “WiredNYC” Certified Buildings
An initiative of the Bloomberg administration, WiredNYC is aimed at bringing transparency to broadband connectivity in NYC office buildings. The program encourages landlords to understand their internet offerings and market them as amenities, while helping tenants to make better informed searches for office space. WiredNYC, which is being operated on behalf of the city by […]
Smart Buildings are Getting Smarter, More User-Friendly
Advances in building and information technologies have brought a new “Big Data” analytics-based approach to facilities management—one that ushers in a new era of operational control, reliability and productivity for businesses and workers. Smart buildings can increase employee comfort, engagement and productivity. This according to a number of reports including a new one from Jones […]
Will Sanctions Halt the Russian Skyscraper Boom?
Flush with oil and gas riches, Russian’s have been building dozens of skyscrapers in recent years. More tall buildings are rising here than anywhere else in Europe. But will the projects see completion and will the boom continue? In response to Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, the West has been imposing […]
UNStudio Designs Responsive Facade for Remodel of Seoul Skyscraper
UNStudio’s design has been selected as the winning entry in the competition for the remodelling of the Hanwha headquarters building in Seoul. The renovation of the office tower incorporates the remodelling of the facade, the interior of the common spaces, lobbies, meeting levels, auditorium and executive areas, along with the redesign of the landscaping. Located […]
Hitachi to Deliver the World’s Fastest Elevators to Chinese High-Rise
Billed as the world’s fastest elevators, ultra-high-speed lifts from Hitachi will be installed at Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre (1,739 feet tall), a mixed-use skyscraper currently under construction in Guangzhou, China. With a speed of 3,937 feet/min (45 mph), the elevator will feature technologies that support safe and comfortable elevator operation, in addition to the drive […]
Brandywine Breaks Ground on Philly’s 49-Story FMC Tower at Cira Centre South
With fireworks, a 50-foot banner and a dramatic unveiling in which partner logos were unearthed at the project site at 30th and Walnut Streets, more than 200 dignitaries and guests gathered on Wednesday to mark the groundbreaking for FMC Tower at Cira Centre South – the final phase of Brandywine Realty Trust’s transformative 2.7 million […]
Groundbreaking Next Week for Midtown Atlanta Student Housing High-Rise
Dallas, Texas-based Inland American Communities Group, Inc. (IAC) will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for its newest University House property, University House Midtown, on Wednesday, May 14th, at 10:00 a.m. Located at the corner of Spring Street and 8th Street in Atlanta, the high-rise residenctial tower will be adjacent to the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia […]
Busy Developer Building Chicago and Houston High-Rises
Illinois-based Marquette Companies anticipates breaking ground in the second quarter of 2014 on a 364-unit, 29-story apartment building with approximately 7,700 square feet of ground floor retail/restaurant space in downtown Houston. Marquette is utilizing the Downtown Living Initiative (Chapter 380), which is effectively a development grant provided to the first 2,500 units to be developed […]
Schindler Elevator Signs Agreement with Verizon for Remote Monitoring Service
Schindler Elevator Corporation has signed an agreement with Verizon to provide 4G LTE network coverage for Schindler’s Remote Monitoring service (SRM). A key part of Schindler’s advanced maintenance program, SRM monitors a variety of operational features on elevator and escalator equipment 24/7 to detect changes in performance. When equipment malfunctions are found, SRM relays the […]
Rebates May Cover Entire Cost of LED Parking Garage Fixture
Independence LED Lighting, the award-winning U.S. manufacturer of LED products, announced today that the DesignLights Consortium(DLC) approved its high-efficiency LED Parking Garage Fixture for their Qualified Products List. Energy rebates in select markets will now cover up to the cost of the fixture. The DLC approval came on Earth Day 2014, a timely reminder that […]
First Certified Fire-Rated Hurricane Impact Resistant Glass Curtain Wall Door System
Vetrotech Saint-Gobain, a leading manufacturer of fire-rated glazing and framing, has launched the Vetrotech HI System, an assembly of high-strength VDS curtain wall and door profiles and Contraflam HI glazing. “Vetrotech HI is the first certified fire-rated solution on the market that has hurricane impact resistance feature built-in to curtain,” says Kevin Frisone, National Sales […]
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 […]
Tom Worthington owns ESRM Communications, based in Fort Lauderdale, FL (www.ESRMphones.com).
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 […]
Jens Holtgrefe is in internal communications with ThyssenKrupp Germany. Steve Geyer is vice president of modernization sales for ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas.
Elevator Modernization: Tips on Project Planning, Budgeting, and Management
“Think about a LinkedIn or Shutterstock employee,” says Thomas Durels, executive vice president, chief of property operations and leasing for Empire State Realty Trust. “Those are our tenants; they’re working at the Empire State Building any time, day or night. They’re traveling to and from restaurants, a fitness center, conference space, and their workspaces – all under one roof. We’re contributing to their productivity by making sure they don’t have to wait in line for…
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
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, […]
As the Director of Program Development for ABM Security Services, Paul Penzone is responsible for developing programs that will enhance the skillset and services provided by ABM Security Services on behalf of its clients. Paul’s unique skillset is the culmination if his experience in law enforcement, multi-jurisdictional investigations, program development and operations. Paul spent 21 years with the Phoenix Police Department, retiring as a sergeant in 2009. During his career, he worked in training, gang enforcement, street crimes, narcotics, and as a Federal Task Force Agent with the DEA.
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.
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
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…
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
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 […]
It may seem like all touchless restroom faucet fixtures are created equal (and have been that way for the past few years). Recently, however, manufacturers have unveiled new technology that offers helpful benefits and savings for facilities professionals. The latest commercial faucet lines offer smart fixtures that don’t just dispense water for hand-washing – they […]
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
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…
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
Power Down to Reduce “Phantom Energy” Use
Don’t forget to pull the plug and turn out the lights! While the concept is known by different names – phantom load, vampire power, standby mode – at the end of the day, “phantom energy” does the same thing: it pulls unnecessary extra energy from the grid into commercial buildings when you aren’t looking. Many […]
Ben Wilde is Director, Europe for FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS). He has 10 years’ experience in data management and business process outsourcing, working with numerous UK public and private-sector organizations to develop data capture and management systems. Wilde works with clients worldwide to develop outsourcing and technology services that make their energy and sustainability strategies more efficient. He is a qualified Carbon Verifier for Projects & Inventories against ISO 14065. With a BSc. in Business & Economics from the University of East Anglia, Ben also has experience leading the commercialization of more than a dozen clean tech and biotech projects via a $3 million innovation fund he cofounded for early-stage ventures. For more information, visit www.firstcarbonsolutions.com.
Don’t Overlook These Energy-Saving Opportunities
Facilities managers of large commercial buildings can’t open a trade publication or scan an industry website without reading something about energy-saving products, practices, or protocols … and with good reason. In 2011, commercial buildings accounted for nearly one-fifth of the total energy used in the United States, with an aggregate expenditure of more than $132 […]
Gary K. Markowitz is the founder and president of Kilojolts Consulting Group, an energy consulting firm and energy-efficiency product developer based in Lexington, MA.
Embrace Sit-Stand Workstations for Good Health
Office work tends to be a sedentary activity. Today, more than 86% of office tenants are sitting at work all day, every day. When coupled with the time spent sitting in traffic or in front of the TV, that number jumps to more than 13 hours each day. And a recent Ergotron study found that […]
Carrie Schmitz is the ergonomics and research manager at Ergotron. To learn more, visit Ergotron.org.
Inside HRF: What’s New in Daylight Harvesting Controls?
Daylight harvesting systems use daylight to offset the amount of electric lighting needed in a building. Daylight harvesting is achieved by integrating lighting control systems that can dim or switch electric lighting on and off in response to daylight availability. (Dimming control systems require dimming ballasts.) If a dimming system is well-calibrated, tenants and occupants […]
The High Life: Luxury Residential Towers Challenge Designers and Managers
“Cities are becoming the place to be,” says Gary Pomerantz, executive vice president at WSP Group. “If you’re going to bring local wealth back into the cities from the suburbs, you have to offer something as luxurious as what can be found in a single-family home with acres of land and beautiful views.”
Residential high-rises used to be reserved for affordable housing…
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
People Who Live in Glass Houses… Keep the Blinds Closed
Investing in something you don’t use seems like a waste of money and resources… but that’s what appears to be happening in New York City (and probably in other U.S. cities, too). A December 2013 study led by the Urban Green Council (UGC) looked at 55 buildings throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens to see if […]
Steve DeBusk is global energy solutions manager for the window film division at Eastman Chemical Company. DeBusk has 30 years of experience in energy efficiency. He is a Certified Energy Manager, a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional, and a Certified Sustainable Development Professional. You can visit his blog at blog.vista-films.com or follow him on Twitter @greenbldgs.
Automated Window and Facade Cleaning System Offers Safety and Savings
2 Broadway in New York City is a high-rise office tower that opened in 1959 and was renovated in 1999. As part of the renovation, a new glass curtain wall with stainless steel mullions was installed replacing operable windows. The original window cleaning method was completed by two window cleaners using a portable scaffold supported […]
Mick Lange established Sky Pro LLC in 2007 after spending 22 years in the manual window cleaning business. Today, Sky Pro systems are used worldwide. For more information, visit www.skypro.com.
High-Rise Hotel Analyzes Window Film Effectiveness
What’s the best way to prove that your green investments are paying off? To measure the savings on utility bills, and improvements that tenants are experiencing as a result of your investment.
Whether you’re cutting back on energy use due to mandates or voluntary efforts, quantifying the savings from your green initiatives can help determine whether the purchases are truly worth it (or at least offset implementation costs). This data can go a long way toward supporting other green investments in the future as well. It can also be a solid indicator of improved building performance, which could make your facility more attractive to tenants or prospective buyers.
Steve DeBusk is global energy solutions manager for the window film division at Eastman Chemical Company. DeBusk has 29 years of experience in the energy-efficiency business. He is a Certified Energy Manager, a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional, and a Certified Sustainable Development Professional. You can visit his blog at blog.vista-films.com or follow him on Twitter @greenbldgs.
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 […]
James Ashworth is the marketing communications manager at Triangle Services. To learn more, visit www.TriangleServices.com.
UFAD Robot Cleans Beneath Raised Floor Systems
Martins Maintenance is one of the largest family-run commercial cleaning companies in the northeast with over 200 clients in 10 states. Among those clients is a Fortune 500 company occupying a high-rise office building. The firm called on the aid of Manuel Martins Jr. and Jordan Amaral to help solve an interesting problem at their […]
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.
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
Fire and Life Safety Auditing of Tenant Space Presents Challenges
The auditing of tenant space with regards to fire & life safety can be a challenge. There’s the delicate balance of trying to view all interior rooms and areas of the space being audited, be it small or large, and doing so without disrupting the tenants business in any manner. A look at key items […]
Dennis Hirschberg is CEO of JLD Audits, Orange County, CA and specializes in Fire & Life Safety auditing of high-rise and commercial buildings throughout the United States.
High-Rise Pre-Incident Plans Assist First Responders
Excellent response to emergency situations is never an accident. In order to ensure first responders are in the best position to save lives and property, property managers should fulfill the crucial responsibility of pre-incident planning their facilities. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has outlined pre-plan standards for fire departments to evaluate protection systems, building […]
David Howorka is executive vice president at Chicago-based RealView, LLC, developers of the all-digital CommandScope pre-planning technology. The program is available to both property owners/operators and first responders to expedite emergency response, saving lives and property. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Preparing for the Next Big Storm: NYC Task Force Examines Disaster Readiness
A few obvious factors come to mind when high-rise building owners and managers think about preparing for and recovering from a natural disaster: creating emergency plans, establishing reliable back-up power, forming business continuity strategies to preserve data… and the list goes on. But as New York continues its recovery from Hurricane Sandy, the recommendations released in a report from Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn are a good reminder that there are other things to think about when preparing your facility for a possible disaster.
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
Making Wireless Work at Floor 50 and Beyond
When potential tenants come knocking, a marquee address, square-footage, floor plans and breathtaking high-rise views aren’t the only things they are looking for. Today business and residential lessors place a high value on cellular voice and broadband mobile data coverage. Landline telephones are rapidly becoming a thing-of-the-past for homes and for an increasing number of […]
Tim W. Ayers is the Vice President Global Services for ExteNet Systems, Inc., a leader in distributed networks for the wireless industry, based in the Chicago, IL area.
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.
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
32 Avenue of the Americas to Host New State-of-the-Art Data Center
In a significant transaction for the technology industry in New York City and Lower Manhattan, Telx, a leading provider of interconnection and data center services, has “plugged in” to the Rudin Family’s 32 Avenue of the Americas in TriBeCa. The cloud enablement provider has signed a 20-year, 45,000 square-foot lease for the entire 10th floor […]
Finalists for Urban Green Council’s EBie Awards Announced
They’ve saved over 30 million gallons of water, enough energy for 1.7 million Americans per year, and affected over 14 million square feet of property: After months of planning and intense competition, Urban Green Council will unveil the winners of the third annual EBie Awards on June 9. The EBies award high performing existing buildings […]
Veolia’s New Boston Office Renovation Achieves LEED Gold Certification
Veolia’s new North American headquarters, at Exchange Place in Boston’s Financial District, has received LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors certification by the USGBC this month. Veolia Energy North America, operator of one the country’s largest portfolio of district energy networks and cogeneration facilities, moved into the 27,440-square-foot space, which comprises the entire 14th floor of […]
Top 7 Strategies for “Greening” Cities this Earth Day
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has issued its “Top 7 Strategies” for commercial real estate professionals to help make cities green, complementing the 2014 Earth Day “Green Cities Campaign.” With the office building industry accounting for nearly 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, BOMA has committed to helping its members and […]
Transfromation of Historic Downtown Manhattan High-Rise, 70 Pine Street, Nearly Complete
Rose Associates, the owners of 70 Pine Street in Lower Manhattan, are spending $550 million to transform the historic 952-foot-tall high-rise into a mixed-use building with rental apartments, a hotel and retail space. The Art Deco skyscraper was built in 1932 to act as the headquarters of the Cities Services Company (Citgo). When completed it […]
Ever Onward, Ever Upward: History of the World’s Tallest Skyscrapers
Whether the Great Pyramid of Giza or the Tower of Babel, humankind has always been reaching for the sky. Beginning with the start of the 20th century and the construction of the first modern skyscrapers, man has come a few hundred meters closer to achieving that aim. Here is a look back over more than 100 years of skyscraper history and the towers that have so far been entitled to proclaim “World’s Tallest Building”.
Higher Purpose: An Enterprising Company is Leading Detroit’s Downtown Revival
Rock Ventures – the umbrella entity that manages a diverse portfolio made up of companies like Quicken Loans – first entered the commercial real estate world as a developer.
“As our development work grew, we knew we needed to start a real estate company,” explains Vice President of Bedrock Real Estate Services Dan Mullen.
In 2010, Quicken Loans Visionary, Founder, and Chairman Dan Gilbert partnered with 30-year real estate veteran Jim Ketai to form Bedrock Real Estate Services. At that time, the company also established its office space in downtown Detroit.
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
A Conversation with John Kelly, Brandywine’s Director of Property Management in Philly
John Kelly left the world of property management, but it only took a few years for him to return to his roots. “I jumped into the internet world back in 2000, taking a 4- or 5-year detour with a startup company that was building cool internet co-location data centers,” says Kelly, director of property management […]
Learning from a Leader, a Conversation with Stream Realty’s Greg Pell
Unlike many facilities professionals, Greg Pell didn’t venture into commercial real estate management with previous experience, or by climbing the ranks. An industry leader took a chance on him, and Pell excelled in his very first role as property manager. Paying it forward as his career developed, Pell now enjoys identifying potential in young industry […]
Knowledge is Power: Kurt Wilczek, General Manager of Zeller Realty Group
“There is no manual that says, ‘Read this, and you’ll be a successful property manager.’ You learn through experiences and trial and error,” says Kurt Wilczek, general manager at Zeller Realty Group in Minneapolis. With 13 years of industry experience, he is focused on helping his team members become the best property managers they can […]
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
Schindler Elevator Signs Agreement with Verizon for Remote Monitoring Service
Schindler Elevator Corporation has signed an agreement with Verizon to provide 4G LTE network coverage for Schindler’s Remote Monitoring service (SRM). A key part of Schindler’s advanced maintenance program, SRM monitors a variety of operational features on elevator and escalator equipment 24/7 to detect changes in performance. When equipment malfunctions are found, SRM relays the […]
Rebates May Cover Entire Cost of LED Parking Garage Fixture
Independence LED Lighting, the award-winning U.S. manufacturer of LED products, announced today that the DesignLights Consortium(DLC) approved its high-efficiency LED Parking Garage Fixture for their Qualified Products List. Energy rebates in select markets will now cover up to the cost of the fixture. The DLC approval came on Earth Day 2014, a timely reminder that […]
First Certified Fire-Rated Hurricane Impact Resistant Glass Curtain Wall Door System
Vetrotech Saint-Gobain, a leading manufacturer of fire-rated glazing and framing, has launched the Vetrotech HI System, an assembly of high-strength VDS curtain wall and door profiles and Contraflam HI glazing. “Vetrotech HI is the first certified fire-rated solution on the market that has hurricane impact resistance feature built-in to curtain,” says Kevin Frisone, National Sales […]
New Deals Bring Seventh Avenue Boutique Office Tower to Full Occupancy
499 Seventh Avenue, a 25-story, 180,000 square-foot boutique tower located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, continues to be a hot address for fashion and office tenants looking for high-quality space. Savitt Partners, the exclusive leasing agent, recently signed two renewals and one new lease at the property that is currently 100 percent occupied. Elliot […]
World Trade Center Memorial Museum Designer Explains His Monumental Task
In 2007, Tom Hennes, principal of Thinc Design, walked into Hangar 17 at New York City’s JFK Airport, the 80,000-sq.-ft. building that had become the repository of more than 1,500 artifacts from the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. As lead designer of the National September 11 Memorial Museum, Hennes’ charge on that day […]
Corcoran’s Bill Cunningham Hired as President of Trump International Realty
The Trump Organization announced today that it has appointed Bill Cunningham as president of its luxury brokerage firm, Trump International Realty. Cunningham will be charged with overseeing all operations and management of Trump International Realty which is headquartered in New York City at 108 Central Park South along with additional offices in New York City, […]
Lerch Bates Appoints Jim Turner Project Manager, Great Lakes Region
Lerch Bates announced that vertical transportation industry leader Jim Turner has been named project manager, elevator consulting group, in its Great Lakes area office. Turner joins the world’s oldest and largest consulting firm for vertical transportation, façade access and building logistics armed with more than 22 years of comprehensive experience in the elevator and escalator […]
Danny Nikitas Appointed Managing Director of Avison Young’s Chicago Office
Industry veteran Danny Nikitas has been hired as Managing Director of Avison Young’s Chicago office. With more than 25 years of commercial real estate industry experience, most recently as an Executive Vice-President with MB Real Estate in Chicago, Nikitas also joins Avison Young as a Principal. In his new role, Nikitas will manage Avison Young’s […]
Once Distressed Chicago Apartment Development Sold for a Profit
Abacus Capital Group LLC has purchased Trio Apartments in Chicago’s West Loop Multifamily submarket for about $40 million. Trio is a 100-unit, boutique-style luxury downtown apartment tower. HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, a joint venture between AEW Capital Management, L.P. and Marquette Companies. the deal has been in the works since […]
Company Expands from Taco Bell Parking Lot to San Francisco High-Rise
AnyPerk, an online platform that provides companies with employee perks and discounts, has signed a new 13,132-sq. ft. office lease at 33 New Montgomery in San Francisco. Cushman & Wakefield Senior Director Jon Dishotsky and Associate Cutter MacLeod represented AnyPerk in the transaction. The landlord, Equity Office Properties, was represented by Mark Anderson and Ross […]
Columbia Property Trust Acquires San Francisco High-Rise for $228.8 Million
Columbia Property Trust, Inc. has acquired 221 Main Street, a 16-story, 387,943-square-foot, LEED Platinum Class-A office tower in San Francisco, California, for a total purchase price of $228.8 million. The purchase price includes the Company’s assumption of a $73.0 million interest-only loan secured by the property that matures in May 2017 and bears interest at […]
LinkedIn Leases Entire High-Rise Under Construction at 222 Second Street in San Francisco
LinkedIn has signed a lease for the entire 26-story building under construction by Tishman Speyer at 222 Second Street in San Francisco. The City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development estimates that the nearly 450,000 square feet of office space can accommodate approximately 2,500 employees. “As a national leader in job creation, San Francisco is […]
Sales Center for $1.2 Billion Project Provides Buyers an Interactive Experience
Developer Kemper Freeman Jr has borrowed a page from the video game industry to solve a common real estate problem: how to sell a space that has yet to be built. Putting a high-tech spin on the traditional architectural model, the Kemper Development Company has introduced an immersive sales center experience. The multi-million dollar sales […]
University of Washington Selects Wright Runstad to Develop Seattle High-Rise
The University of Washington Board of Regents approved the selection of Wright Runstad & Company to redevelop Rainier Square, a 140,000 square foot retail property that is part of the University’s Metropolitan Tract in downtown Seattle. Wright Runstad & Company was selected through a competitive process managed by the University of Washington. With an 80-year […]
New High-Rise Office Tower Planned for Downtown Bellevue, Washington
West coast developer Schnitzer West plans to build a 16-story Class A+ office building in Bellevue, Washington. The project site is located in the central business district on the corner of 106th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Fourth Street. Plans call for a 360,000-square foot office building that will include street-level retail and a Bank of […]
Irvine Company Named San Diego’s Energy Grand Champion for Efficient Portfolio
At the ninth annual San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Energy Showcase event on May 13th, Irvine Company Office Properties was honored by SDG&E as the Energy Grand Champion for 2013 for its outstanding results in energy efficiency and conservation. Irvine Company Office Properties was honored for enhancing its commitment to saving natural resources by […]
Finalists for Urban Green Council’s EBie Awards Announced
They’ve saved over 30 million gallons of water, enough energy for 1.7 million Americans per year, and affected over 14 million square feet of property: After months of planning and intense competition, Urban Green Council will unveil the winners of the third annual EBie Awards on June 9. The EBies award high performing existing buildings […]
U.S. Bank Renews Lease at U.S. Bank Tower in Downtown L.A.
U.S. Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles will remain U.S. Bank Tower for at least another 10 years. The bank renewed its anchor lease with the building’s owner, Singapore-based Overseas Union Enterprise Limited (OUE), for ten-years for office and retail space totalling 105,000 square feet with an option to extend for an additional decade. Including […]
Veolia’s New Boston Office Renovation Achieves LEED Gold Certification
Veolia’s new North American headquarters, at Exchange Place in Boston’s Financial District, has received LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors certification by the USGBC this month. Veolia Energy North America, operator of one the country’s largest portfolio of district energy networks and cogeneration facilities, moved into the 27,440-square-foot space, which comprises the entire 14th floor of […]
Boston RDA Approves 1.2 Million Square-Feet of Development
The Boston Redevelopment Authority Board approved a number of projects and initiatives throughout Boston last week. The ten approved development projects represent over $461.2 million of investment in the city and over 1.2 million square feet of development. When these projects break ground, they will create nearly 1,400 construction jobs. The BRA Board voted to […]
Massachusetts Hotels Must Comply with Food Waste Disposal Ban by October
Massachusetts’ statewide commercial food waste disposal ban will take effect on Oct. 1, 2014. The ban was designed to divert food waste to energy-generating and composting facilities and reduce the state’s waste stream. Large hotels are among the estimated 1,700 facilities that will be impacted. “We are committed to protecting our natural resources and creating […]
Petroleum Club of Houston Leases Top Floor of 35-Story Total Plaza
The Petroleum Club of Houston has leased 30,000 square-feet, including the top floor of Total Plaza at 1201 Louisiana St. in Downtown Houston. The Petroleum Club is leaving its former location at the ExxonMobil building on Bell Street after 50 years of residence. Total Plaza is a 35-story, 892,000-square-foot office tower located in the heart […]
Austin’s 100 Congress Earns LEED EB Certification
100 Congress in Austin, Texas has been awarded LEED EB (Existing Building) Gold status by the USGBC. The 100 Congress building is a 22-story, 411,536 square foot Class “A” office building located at the corner of 2nd Street and Congress Avenue. Designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, the building has polished sunset-red granite exterior with […]
Busy Developer Building Chicago and Houston High-Rises
Illinois-based Marquette Companies anticipates breaking ground in the second quarter of 2014 on a 364-unit, 29-story apartment building with approximately 7,700 square feet of ground floor retail/restaurant space in downtown Houston. Marquette is utilizing the Downtown Living Initiative (Chapter 380), which is effectively a development grant provided to the first 2,500 units to be developed […]
North Dallas DoubleTree Hotel Tower Changes Hands
The DoubleTree Dallas – Campbell Centre, a 300-room, 21-story full-service hotel has been sold to Woodland, Texas-based Black Forest Ventures, a privately held asset management firm specializing in commercial real estate, hospitality, aviation and technology investments founded by Dirk Laukien. Located at 8250 North Central Expressway, the hotel is within the Campbell Centre mixed-use development […]
Austin’s 100 Congress Earns LEED EB Certification
100 Congress in Austin, Texas has been awarded LEED EB (Existing Building) Gold status by the USGBC. The 100 Congress building is a 22-story, 411,536 square foot Class “A” office building located at the corner of 2nd Street and Congress Avenue. Designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, the building has polished sunset-red granite exterior with […]
Uptown Dallas’ Future Tallest Office Tower Signs Anchor Tenant
One of Dallas’ largest law firms, Gardere Wynne Sewell, has signed on to become the anchor tenant at a tower set to begin construction this summer. The firm is leaving Thanksgiving Tower for Crescent Real Estate’s 20-story high-rise. Gardere’s approximately 109,000 square foot lease will kick-start the development at 2021 McKinney Avenue. Gardere will move […]
Sovereign Capital Plans Sale of 1818 Beneficial Bank Place in Philadelphia
San Diego-based Sovereign Capital Management Group plans to sell 1818 Beneficial Bank Place, a 37-story, Class-A office building with more than 1,000,000 square feet, located at 1818 Market Street in the Market Street West Submarket of Center City Philadelphia. Cushman & Wakefield has been engaged to take the property to market. Despite its location at […]
Brandywine Breaks Ground on Philly’s 49-Story FMC Tower at Cira Centre South
With fireworks, a 50-foot banner and a dramatic unveiling in which partner logos were unearthed at the project site at 30th and Walnut Streets, more than 200 dignitaries and guests gathered on Wednesday to mark the groundbreaking for FMC Tower at Cira Centre South – the final phase of Brandywine Realty Trust’s transformative 2.7 million […]
Aimco Renovating Two of its Philadelphia High-Rise Apartment Properties
Skanska USA won a $15.2 million contract to complete the second phase of renovations at the Sterling high-rise apartments in Philadelphia. The 29-story tower, built in 1961, has 550 apartments, 23,000 square feet of retail space and 93,000 square feet of office space. The apartments are fully occupied. In this phase of the renovation, Skanska […]
ATIS Acquires Florida-Based Elevator Inspection Company
St. Louis-based ATIS Elevator Inspections, a subsidiary of American Testing & Inspection Services, continues their agressive growth by acquiring A-1 Elevator Inspection, Inc., based in the Tampa, Florida area. Last month ATIS acquired Columbia, South Carolina-based Palmetto Safety Inspections, LLC. With 7 Qualified Elevator Inspectors, A-1 has provided consulting, test witnessing, inspection and certification services […]
Finalists for Urban Green Council’s EBie Awards Announced
They’ve saved over 30 million gallons of water, enough energy for 1.7 million Americans per year, and affected over 14 million square feet of property: After months of planning and intense competition, Urban Green Council will unveil the winners of the third annual EBie Awards on June 9. The EBies award high performing existing buildings […]
New Luxury High-Rise to Bring “La Dolce Vita” to Fort Lauderdale’s Middle River
Premier Developers, best known locally for its “La Rive” condo which premiered in 2005, is introducing a new level of “la dolce vita” – Italian for “the sweet life” – to the up-and-coming Middle River area in Fort Lauderdale with RIVA, a 100-residence luxury riverfront condominium. Merging the laid-back Fort Lauderdale waterfront lifestyle with exquisitely […]
Groundbreaking Next Week for Midtown Atlanta Student Housing High-Rise
Dallas, Texas-based Inland American Communities Group, Inc. (IAC) will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for its newest University House property, University House Midtown, on Wednesday, May 14th, at 10:00 a.m. Located at the corner of Spring Street and 8th Street in Atlanta, the high-rise residenctial tower will be adjacent to the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia […]
Atlanta’s 72-Story Westin Peachtree Plaza Completes $70 Million Transformation
The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta’s iconic John Portman-designed hotel, has completed the final phase of its grand $70 million renovation. In partnership with Atlanta architecture firm Cooper Cary, Atlanta interior designer Carolyn Auger of Blackdog Studio and contractor Balfour Beatty, every interior element of the hotel from the redesigned lobby, all 1,073 guest rooms and […]
Developer Reacquires Atlanta High-Rise it Built 50 Years Ago
An Atlanta-based developer, Portman Holdings, has purchased 230 Peachtree Street, a 414,768-square-foot office tower in downtown Atlanta. The 50-year-old building was first developed as an office building by Portman in 1965 as part of the Peachtree Center mixed-use development. Renovation will commence immediately to convert the 27-story building. Upon completion, office space will occupy approximately […]
The Westin Galleria
The 24-story Westin Galleria includes 487 rooms and over 71,000 square feet of meeting space. The Westin Oaks Houston at the Galleria offers 406 rooms on 21 floors as well as 23,500 square feet of meeting space, including a 4,500-square-foot banquet space overlooking the Houston skyline.
“The acquisition of these outstanding properties, the only hotels connected to the acclaimed Galleria Mall complex, is an exciting step in our ongoing strategy to enhance our portfolio of upper-upscale hotels,” said Marcel Verbaas, president and CEO, Inland American Lodging Advisor, Inc.
Both hotels recently underwent renovations totaling $35 million. The properties will continue to be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
The Westin Oaks
The Galleria is a premiere upscale dining, retail and office destination. In addition to the hotels, The Galleria mixed-use complex includes three office towers, a private fitness club and a retail complex. Totaling over three million square feet, the retail component forms the largest mall in Texas and one of the 10 largest malls in the United States.
“The Houston lodging market has continued to outperform the majority of the country, positioning these recently-renovated properties for strong returns going forward,” Verbaas added.
Category: Houston
Founded by the Romans, the small town of Rottweil is located between the Black Forest and the Swabian Alps, in southwest Germany. The old city is famous for its medieval center and for its traditional carnival, called “Fasnet” in the local Swabian dialect. The oldest town in the region, Rottweil’s appearance has changed very little […]
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…
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
The High Life: Luxury Residential Towers Challenge Designers and Managers
“Cities are becoming the place to be,” says Gary Pomerantz, executive vice president at WSP Group. “If you’re going to bring local wealth back into the cities from the suburbs, you have to offer something as luxurious as what can be found in a single-family home with acres of land and beautiful views.”
Residential high-rises used to be reserved for affordable housing…
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
9 Green Ideas for Your Tall Building
Due to their size, their density, and the number of tenants and occupants using energy and water every day, high-rises often present the greatest opportunity for sustainability improvements. There are certain green initiatives that are showing up more and more often in office, mixed-use, healthcare, and multifamily towers. Check out these water, environment, and energy conservation measures being deployed by high-rises across the country. Are you keeping up with your peers? As part of a 30-story renovation project, the E. M. Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago replaced 7,800 lighting fixtures…
An award winning editor, Leah spent over eight years in senior
editorial positions at both BUILDINGS magazine and ARCHI-TECH
magazine. Her work has been incorporated into training and
educational programs around the country. She is a graduate of
University of Iowa. She is Editor at Large for High Rise Facilities.
