230 Park named BOMA's 2015 TOBY winner for Historical Building

On July 1st, BOMA/New York and 230 Park Ave.'s building team received the best news in almost 25 years! 230 Park Ave. had triumphed in its third quest to bring home a BOMA International The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) award for New York City. After a decade of previous wins at the city and regional levels, the Park Ave. property defeated buildings in Texas, Minneapolis and Chicago to be named the 2015 TOBY winner for Historical Building. It was the first New York City Historical Building award since the Empire State Building claimed the honors in 1991-1992, a time when judging categories such as Sustainability did not exist, and energy conservation, training and emergency preparedness were viewed differently. 230 Park's winning formula covered every aspect of building operations. Structural highlights included a $100 million-plus renovation; becoming New York City's first and oldest landmark to achieve LEED Gold, Energy Star and BOMA 360; the development of a creative exterior lighting scheme for all New York to enjoy, and developing 21st century retail environments, including midtown's hottest new food hall. Management created tenant events that embraced past and present, from a health fair, emergency training and Greening a Landmark sustainability teaching sessions, to presenting new tenants with a photo-laden keepsake booklet on 230 Park's role in building Midtown. The team focused relentlessly on energy conservation, systematically saving millions of kWh, while maintaining comfort for 100-plus tenants. Shortly after filing its TOBY submission earlier this year, 230 Park transitioned from owner/manager Monday Properties to RXR Realty, which is returning the building to its former name, the Helmsley Building. Scott Rechler, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We are committed to furthering the initiatives undertaken by the previous ownership of 230 Park Ave. and will hold the bar high with maintaining the building's historic stature, while at the same time creating 21st century business environments for the most discerning tenants. We will focus on advancing the property into the new millennium through curated amenities and enriched tenant experiences."