(NEW YORK) – Hines, the international real estate firm, and building owner Mitsui Fudosan America, announced today that 1251 Avenue of the Americas has received Silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings (EB) Rating System.
Located on the western edge of Rockefeller Center in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, 1251 Avenue of the Americas is a 54-story, 2.4 million-square-foot International Style office tower.
The tower was developed in 1972 by The Rockefeller Group and Exxon Corporation for Exxon’s global headquarters.
In 1986, the building was purchased by Mitsui Fudosan, which embarked on a multi-year renovation program to bring the building into the 21st century and to better serve its corporate and institutional tenants.
Hines has served as the property manager since 2011.
Green features implemented at 1251 Avenue of the Americas include: participation in Con Edison, an electrical load curtailment program and steam curtailment pilot program; several lighting replacement projects using LED bulbs; implementation of a new e-waste recycling program; and the execution of several energy conservation measures for the building’s mechanical and electrical systems.
Additionally, Hines offers its proprietary GREEN OFFICE for Tenants program, which assists in giving tenants options to reduce their carbon footprint.
“We were challenged by ownership to achieve LEED certification for the building.
As a result of the efforts of the entire 1251 property and engineering staff, we exceeded this challenge by achieving the next level of certification - LEED Silver,” said Hines Senior Property Manager Bob McKeown.
Mitsui Fudosan America Vice President, Property Operations and Construction Frank Montes commented, “Mitsui Fudosan America is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of all our properties. In the past two years, Hines has done a tremendous job at 1251 Avenue of the Americas in managing energy consumption, reducing water usage, and expanding recycling efforts. This LEED certification is a testament to the on-site team’s skills and dedication."
Hines Global Sustainability Officer Gary Holtzer added, “The time and effort that goes into achieving LEED certification is extraordinary and helps cement our Hines brand as among the most sustainable in the world.
And, our investors and clients see sustainability as an indicator of quality in the management of their assets and the stewardship of their capital.”
Hines is one of the most sustainable real estate companies in the world.
In 2012 Hines was recognized by the EPA, for the fifth time, with the ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award. Hines manages 181 labelled buildings, representing more than 73 million square feet, in the ENERGY STAR program.
Twelve Hines development or redevelopment projects, representing more than six million square feet, have been designated as Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR.
Hines is also a leader in the U.S. Green Building Council’s programs, with 199 projects, representing more than 101 million square feet that have been certified, pre-certified or registered under the various LEED rating systems.
Hines was a founding member of the German Sustainable Building Council and the Russian Green Building Council, and is active in the Green Building Council Brasil, the Green Building Council España, the Green Building Council Italia, the Indian Green Building Council, the BRE Environmental Assessment Method program in the United Kingdom and the Haute Qualité Environnementale program in France.
To learn more about sustainability at Hines, visit www.hines.com/sustainability.
Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in real estate investment, development and property management worldwide. The firm’s historical and current portfolio of projects that are underway, completed, acquired and managed for third parties includes 1,273 properties representing more than 514 million square feet of office, residential, mixed-use, industrial, hotel, medical and sports facilities, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments.
Currently, Hines manages 406 properties totaling 148.5 million square feet, which includes 78.3 million square feet for third parties.
With offices in 113 cities in 18 countries, and controlled assets valued at approximately $24.3 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world.
Visit www.hines.com for more information.
1251 Avenue of the Americas