While the exterior is an architectural masterpiece, the internal cantilevered oriel staircase with carved Moorish details is my favorite part of the building.
I recently came across this video on Wired’s website. It is a great way to keep your eyes on on the office while traveling. Slack’s should take notice……
It is no secret the United States is experiencing one of the worst commercial real estate downturns in our history. Different than the office slump in the early 1990’s, office vacancy is a problem for all buildings.
According to a recent article in Urbanland, 40% of office vacancies during the early 1990’s were concentrated in buildings less than six years old. The rise in vacancy was caused by overbuilding and as a result was prevalent in younger properties. The problem today is different. Currently, 40% of office vacancies are spread among buildings that have been built sometime in the last twenty-two years and the rise in vacancy is due to layoffs and job cuts. Vacancy has increased in properties no matter the age, class or location.
My biggest concern for office landlords is high vacancy rates are here to stay. Technology is making it easier for people to work from home, the coffee shop or even the gym. Companies are realizing there are huge cost savings in reducing their real estate footprint. Landlords will have to be creative and offer substantial incentives to lure new tenants. I would be interested to hear your thoughts. How do you think technology is affecting the use of office space? Is there an office landlord that has taken an innovative approach to lure new tenants? Send in your comments…….
The Office Diggs is looking for your feedback on office-related issues. What determines a great office space? Is it location, views, price, desgin, etc? Please send me your responses.
There are currently twelve existing office buildings in New York City that have achieved a level of LEED certification. The total footprint of these properties is approximately 13,198,861 square feet and the vacancy rate including both direct and sublease space is hovering around 15%. Manhattan
For more information on these properties please explore the map below.
Located in the heart of the Plaza District, 520 Madison Avenue is one of New York City’s most prestigious addresses. This 43 story, 1,034,108 square foot office building was completed in 1982 and designed by Swanke Hayden Connell & Partners.
According to Tishman Speyer’s website until the late 1970s, Madison Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets consisted of many small parcels of land with different owners. Tishman Speyer recognized the location as being strategically outstanding for a major corporate headquarters and assembled land parcels totaling 39,000 square feet. Tishman Speyer managed the design, construction, and development of the office tower, which when completed in 1982 represented the first investment-grade, stone-clad office facility constructed in New York City in over a decade. Tishman Speyer still owns this property today.
In 2009 520 Madison Avenue was awarded LEED certification at the Silver level by the U.S. Green Building Council. According to Costar the building is currently 97% occupied and houses an exclusive tenant roster that includes, Fortis, Carlyle Investment Management and Jefferies & Company.