BOMA/NY goes four-for-four in a TOBY Award sweep

For the second year in a row, all of BOMA/NY's TOBY (The Office Building of the Year) Award entrants have won in their respective categories, according to Angelo Grima, president of BOMA/NY. "New York takes these awards seriously because the process drives us to manage our buildings to the highest possible level. We see it as a blueprint for success, and it is a blueprint that works - this is record-breaking recognition for New York office building owners and managers." New York made this clean sweep at the recent BOMA Middle Atlantic Conference TOBY Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and the winners are now being judged for BOMA International TOBY honors, which will be announced at the BOMA International Conference and Office Building Show in late June. And the winners are: Louis Mantia, BOMA/NY treasurer and managing director, Client Solutions at Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. An industry veteran with more than two decades of experience in management and creative solutions within the energy conservation field, Mantia was recognized as the Outstanding Regional Member of the Year for the critical contributions he made in energy conservation legislation, programs and education at the BOMA local and international levels. Renovated Building: 100 Park Avenue (SL Green Realty Corp). New York's first office tower completed after World War II, 100 Park is now the modern classic of its famed avenue, with completely new building systems and finishes, strong community involvement and tenant relations programs, and major accomplishments in the Energy Star and LEED-EB ranking systems. Commenting post-ceremony on his firm's win, SL Green's executive vice president/director of management Edward Piccinich said, "The requirements for the TOBY award are established by some of the best and brightest in our industry. Winning a TOBY provides you the recognition of your peers, insight into their programs and practices, and the experience to better your standards of practice. Competing for a BOMA award is a team effort that requires you to examine every facet of building operations, property management and tenant satisfaction. The recognition of a BOMA Award exemplifies excellence and adds value to the real estate asset." Historical: Seagram Building at 375 Park Avenue (RFR Realty) The legendary design pioneer proved that "The Building" that changed the face of modern architecture forever can also be a "greenmark," implementing exceptional energy and environmental standards while working with landmark restrictions for more than 25 years. Management continues the building's historical impact on the surrounding community by upholding its role as a performance venue and center for artistic appreciation. Frank Farella, MSRE/RPA/CPM/FMA/SMA, who heads the property management team at 375 Park Avenue, sees the TOBY as the "culmination of the hard work and labor of our staff. We are honored and privileged to work in a building that is looked upon by the real estate community, not only in New York but across the Middle Atlantic, as the premier building in its category this year." Government: The USPO & Courthouse (Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn) U.S. General Services Administration. Still a beacon of the Brooklyn skyline, this government complex demonstrated how a 19th Century national landmark can operate at 21st Century standards. Renowned for its Romanesque revival architecture, the building's renovation of this past decade created state-of-the-art spaces for both the public and government employees. It is the seat of the most renowned national moot court competition in bankruptcy law and a thriving post office serving the Brooklyn public. It is the second time that the U.S. General Services Administration has won a TOBY award in this category in as many years. Each of New York's TOBY winners competed against buildings which had won their local rounds in their home associations, which include upstate New York, the New England states, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and the Washington, D.C. metroplex.