JLL announced the completion of the new Observatory entrance and Grand Lobby at the Empire State Building on behalf of Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT). This work completes the first phase of the $150 million multi-phase renovation scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.
The Observatory entrance was moved to 34th Street and enlarged to create a seamless flow of traffic solely for Observatory Guests. The work will improve the experience for all guests, reduce waiting times, and create more memories.
The JLL professionals overseeing the effort included Robert Krizman, senior vice president, along with Michael Giunta, senior vice president, Richard Coleman, Danny Donev, and David Kotrch, senior project managers, and Stephanie Falco, associate project manager, all whom worked closely with ESRT ownership.
“Our goal was to bring Empire State Realty Trust’s vision for improvements to the Guest’s journey at the Observatory to fruition,” said Krizman. “The project involved rethinking the entire visitor journey from the moment the guest walks in the entrance, all the way up to the Observatory. JLL brought together and managed the highly-specialized teams needed to execute the creative and construction efforts.”
The Observatory entrance was relocated close to its original position on 34th Street to better meet the needs of both local and international guests, as well as building tenants. The Observatory has been redesigned as an exciting, interactive journey for guests, culminating in unprecedented views of New York City from the heart of Manhattan. The path a guest takes to the Observatory has been enhanced with touchpoints and unforgettable moments that provide accessible and exciting content to 13 targeted cultures in nine languages, as well as interactive exhibits and enhanced multilingual navigation.
JLL also oversaw the comprehensive energy retrofit of this historic landmark, with the work mostly completed by 2011. The retrofit allowed the ESB to save more than 38 percent annually on energy costs. JLL and the other partners in the project were able to create a proven template for energy efficiency that can be applied to any existing building.
About the Empire State Building
Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan (from base to antenna), the Empire State Building, owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., is the "World's Most Famous Building." With new investments in energy efficiency, infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper's robust broadcasting technology supports major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects, and the Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world's most beloved attractions as the region's #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.empirestatebuilding.com, www.facebook.com/
About Empire State Realty Trust Inc.
Empire State Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: ESRT), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, including the Empire State Building, the world's most famous building. Headquartered in New York, New York, the company's office and retail portfolio covers 10.1 million rentable square feet, as of June 30, 2018, consisting of 9.4 million rentable square feet in 14 office properties, including nine in Manhattan, three in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and two in Westchester County, New York; and approximately 700,000 rentable square feet in the retail portfolio.
About JLL
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our vision is to reimagine the world of real estate, creating rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we will build a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with nearly 300 corporate offices, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 86,000 as of June 30, 2018. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.
