Tishman Speyer and MetLife to convert signs atop 200 Park Avenue to energy efficient LED lighting

MetLife Building, 200 Park Avenue - New York, NY

New York, NY Tishman Speyer and Metlife will be converting the MetLife signs atop 200 Park Ave., known as MetLife Building, from neon lights to energy efficient LED lights, with installations set to begin. Tishman Speyer owns and manages the building, and MetLife owns the rights to the famous MetLife signs.

“The MetLife sign update is part of both Tishman Speyer and MetLife’s ongoing sustainability programs. Tishman Speyer’s sustainability efforts reach all parts of the firm and buildings we develop, own and manage around the world,” said Chris Shehadeh, senior managing director, Tishman Speyer. “These signs are known to every New Yorker, and seen around the world – they’re true icons.  With the new lighting, they’ll be much more energy efficient while maintaining the iconic look.”

The new LED lights will require less maintenance and reduce power consumption by 60%, while maintaining the same brightness and color. They will provide greater reliability and performance, and lower overall costs. The new technology will also be able to withstand bad weather.

During the installation process, the signs of the building will be temporarily dark to allow proper and safe procedures.

“MetLife is committed to reducing energy consumption and optimizing our buildings’ environmental performance across our global portfolio,” said Joe Sprouls, MetLife executive vice president and head of Global Corporate Services.  “The MetLife sign at 200 Park is one of New York City’s icons and we’re proud to ensure that it will be using the latest energy-efficient technologies.”

MetLife is a leader on environmental issues, having recently announced that it is on track to become the first U.S. based insurer to become carbon neutral in 2016. MetLife also established ambitious energy and emissions reduction goals across their global offices, and was recognized for these goals at the Climate Leadership Awards Ceremony as the recipient of the Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management Goal Setting. This award is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and two environmental non-profits, C2ES and The Climate Registry. MetLife has expanded their green building portfolio and building performance with new green technologies. Their corporate portfolio now includes 17 LEED-certified buildings globally, and one hundred percent of the company’s U.S. owned and operated offices are ENERGY STAR certified.

200 Park Ave. is a 58-story building built in 1963 and centrally located in the core of Midtown Manhattan, between Grand Central Terminal and East 45th St., overlooking Park Ave. It was designed by Emery Roth & Sons, Pietro Belluschi and Walter Gropius.  The iconic MetLife signage atop the tower measures 22 x 22 ft., with the two upper-case characters weighing 4,000 pounds apiece.