Most Recent #1
ML: First Green Hotel in Queens Proposed by Architect Gerald Caliendo
A proposed Best Western hotel in East Elmhurst could become the first green hotel in Queens. The project, to be located at 112th Place and Astoria Boulevard, adjacent to the Grand Central Parkway, LaGuardia Airport, and the Mets’ new CitiField, will pursue an unspecified level of LEED certification, according to architect Gerald Caliendo (though note Mr. Caliendo’s quote about “bronze” certification in the context of recent posts here at gbNYC regarding the importance of accurately describing green projects and qualifications from a legal perspective). Community Board 3 granted the six-story, 100-unit project a zoning waiver at a recent meeting, despite local residents’ concerns about increased traffic. Details on specific green features are not available yet.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Stephen Del Percio | October 6th, 2008 | Continued
Most Recent #2
Bikes in Buildings Bill, Williamsburg’s LEED Silver Edge v. Sarah Palin, More Green Leasing, & Gotham’s First Electric Delivery Truck
gbNYC selects green news items of note that were reported across the New York City area during the week of September 28, 2008, including a push for David Yassky’s Bikes in Buildings Bill, which would require commercial and office buildings to offer bike storage space to tenants, jabs at Sarah Palin from Williamsburg’s LEED Silver hopeful Edge condo project, more space for AOL at 770 Broadway, which is pursuing a LEED for Existing Buildings rating from USGBC, and the debut of the first electric-powered delivery truck in New York City, now making the rounds from Hunts Point in the Bronx.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Stephen Del Percio | October 5th, 2008 | Continued
Most Recent #3
Anbau Closes on Loan for BKSK-Designed Green Condos at 124 West 23rd Street
Anbau Properties and BKSK Architects have teamed up for another luxury green condominium project, this time at 124 West 23rd Street in Chelsea. As you’ll recall, BKSK designed the Upper West Side’s Harsen House (see image) for Anbau, whose 22 units sold out in just seven months and is awaiting formal LEED certification from USGBC. Despite the horrific lending climate, Bank of New York Mellon recently provided Anbau with an acquisition and construction loan for the project. The 16-story tower will offer 34 residences and 4000 square feet of ground floor retail. BKSK will implement similar green features at 124 West 23rd Street as Harsen House, and Anbau will seek an unspecified level of LEED certification for the project. Anbau paid $19 million for the project’s 55,000-square-foot footprint.
Popularity: 6% [?]
Stephen Del Percio | October 3rd, 2008 | Continued
Most Recent #4
Principal Financial Group & M Moser Associates Earn LEED-CI at Vornado’s 888 Seventh Avenue
The Principal Financial Group recently earned an unspecified level of LEED for Commercial Interiors (”LEED-CI”) certification for its corporate headquarters space on the 25th floor of 888 Seventh Avenue in Midtown. Designed by M Moser Associates, the 19,800-square-foot office includes extensive natural daylighting, low-flow water fixtures, and other energy-efficient systems. The space was designed to achieve a 15 percent reduction in energy consumption through occupancy sensors and programmable, efficient HVAC units. The project team also included Synergy Construction, Inc. with LEED consultants OMNIBUILD, and only required seven months to complete. 888 Seventh Avenue, located on West 57th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, includes 46 stories of office space, was built in 1969, and is owned by Vornado Realty Trust. Other major tenants include New Line Cinema and The Corcoran Group.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Stephen Del Percio | October 2nd, 2008 | Continued
Most Recent #5
West Coast Green Panel Discusses Risk Management for Green Building Projects
I did not attend West Coast Green last week, but was pleased to see that the conference included a panel discussion about the emerging legal risks associated with building green, titled “Packing a Parachute: Practices that Minimize Risk and Prompt Best Use of Green Features.” Some of the panelists’ remarks resonated particularly salient in light of recent posts here at gbNYC, particularly with respect to how green projects are marketed, as well as our presentation of the country’s first green building litigation. With respect to green building contracts, the panel suggested that there is no “magic green paragraph,” and stressed that documents need to be tailored for the particular circumstances of each individual green project. We noted the same in the context of the Shaw Development v. Southern Builders case, pointing out that “the critical lesson from the lawsuit is that there is no one-size-fits-all form agreement for a green construction project,” particularly in the current regulatory climate where mandates and incentives vary in every jurisdiction.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Stephen Del Percio | October 1st, 2008 | Continued
