Bank of America originates $425 million for Tishman Speyer refi of The JACX

Queens, NY According to Tishman Speyer, a $425 million green bond offering has been completed to refinance The JACX, its creative office development in Long Island City.

Tishman Speyer’s property was eligible for a green bond offering given the high standards for sustainability, energy-efficiency and community impact it has attained at The JACX.  The offering, which was originated by Bank of America, N.A., refinanced the initial construction loan with permanent CMBS financing.

Designed by MdeAS Architects, The JACX features 1.2 million s/f of office and retail space across two 26-story towers connected by a five-story base.

The JACX, which is 100% leased, employs an open loft concept that allows for panoramic views and abundant daylight. Its office space incorporates generous ceiling heights, efficient floor plates and advanced infrastructure to create modern and collaborative workspaces. Its unique fifth floor outdoor terrace incorporates more than an acre of landscaped terraces, food and beverage, and multiple collaborative and recreational spaces.

“Tishman Speyer is dedicated to producing sustainable environments that add significant value to our customers and investors, as well as the residents of the communities in which they are located,” said Randall Rothschild, senior managing director and global head of debt at Tishman Speyer. “There is a growing appetite among pension funds and other institutional investors for projects that embrace and incorporate ESG principles. The high level of interest in The JACX among the world’s top social impact investors is a validation of our efforts to produce a positive and lasting impact in Long Island City.”

Completed in 2019, The JACX represents the single biggest addition to Long Island City’s office inventory since the opening of the Citicorp Building in 1990.

The development also houses more than 50,000 s/f of community-oriented retail, including JACX&CO, a food hall featuring nine eateries, Penny Bridge, a new restaurant from chef Dan Kluger restaurant, the grocer City Acres and a fitness center operated by The Wright Fit.

During its underwriting process, Bank of America commissioned Sustainalytics US, Inc., an independent environmental, social and governance (ESG) analytics firm, to evaluate and certify that The JACX met requirements set forth in the Green Bond Principles 2021 for sustainability, energy-efficiency and attention to the needs of the surrounding communities.

Sustainalytics identified a large number of ESG-related measures at The JACX that led to its green bond certification, including:

• A green building designation (LEED Silver);
• A 100,000 gallon storm-water reclamation and filtration system;
• A two-stage air filtration system for superior indoor air quality;
• Low-flow water fixtures throughout the property;
• Energy-efficient hot-water boilers;
• A 175-space bike parking area with showers;
• A new landscaped public plaza;
• Access to mass transit via multiple subway lines, buses and the Long Island Rail Road.