Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Rob Speyer Announces LEED Gold Certification for Tishman Speyer's Two Alliance Center

Project Reflects Tishman Speyer's Sustainable Development Emphasis

Tishman Speyer announced today that Two Alliance Center -- the firm's recently-completed trophy office tower in Atlanta's Buckhead submarket -- has been awarded the LEED Gold designation by the U.S. Green Building Council. Two Alliance is believed to be the first Buckhead office building, and among the first properties in Atlanta, to receive such certification.
Tishman Speyer

The 30-story, 500,000-square-foot building met challenging sustainability objectives during construction, which was completed in July 2009. According to the firm, approximately15 percent of materials used in construction were previously recycled. In addition, over 75 percent of the project's construction waste was recycled and therefore diverted from landfills. The company also said that approximately 25 percent of construction materials were extracted or manufactured within 500 miles of the project site, thereby reducing the environmental impact from transportation.

Tishman Speyer also will purchase Renewal Energy Certificates equal to 35 percent of its annual core and shell electricity usage at Two Alliance in accordance with LEED guidelines. In addition, it has instituted sustainable design elements that will result in:

  • Over 20 percent saved in ongoing energy costs, compared to similar buildings;
  • Water use reduced by over 40 percent; and
  • 100 percent reduction of potable water for landscape irrigation.

The company also has made a firm commitment to operate an effective program to recycle building waste and to use green housekeeping supplies.

Tishman Speyer President and Co-CEO Rob Speyer commented, "In today's commercial real estate market, developers are being challenged by the community at large to build in ways that do the least possible damage to the environment. Likewise, many commercial tenants have high expectations and want to do business with landlords who are responsible in the way they use energy and otherwise operate their properties. We take those expectations seriously, and will continue to look for ways to achieve maximum sustainability in the buildings we develop, own and manage."

Two Alliance, standing at Buckhead's top office location, features visually stunning and efficient design elements, along with dramatic skyline views. The building offers covered parking, an array of first-class on-site amenities, and direct or convenient access to GA 400, Peachtree Road, MARTA public transportation and Atlanta's finest shopping, cuisine and world-class hotels. Designed by Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates and Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects, and constructed by The Beck Group, the new tower complements Tishman Speyer's One Alliance Center -- which was built in 2001 and is fully leased.

About Tishman Speyer (http://www.tishmanspeyer.com/)Tishman Speyer is one of the leading owners, developers, operators, and fund managers of first-class real estate in the world. Since 1978, Tishman Speyer has acquired, developed and operated over 325 projects totaling over 116 million square feet and a property portfolio of over US$54.2 billion in total value across the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia, including signature properties such as New York's Rockefeller Center and Chrysler Center, Berlin's Sony Center and Torre Norte in São Paolo, Brazil.

[Full article via PR Web]

Monday, October 12, 2009

Tishman Speyer and Public Art in New York

Jean Parker Phifer, the author of “Public Art New York,” responds to readers on public art in New York in the City Room of the New York Times.

Q:Public art is often simply viewed as pretty (or not) objects on sidewalks and in parks. Can you provide examples of public art programs that encourage viewers to interact with the artwork and/ or learn more about art in general?— Posted by Lise Ragbir

A: The Public Art Fund has organized numerous interactive installations in New York City in the last few years. One of my favorites was Anish Kapoor’s “Sky Mirror,” hosted by Tishman Speyer at Rockefeller Center in 2006. As described in Public Art New York, passers-by could see not only themselves reflected in context in the mirror facing Fifth Avenue, but also the buildings of Rockefeller Center reflected in the side of the mirror facing west.

Read full article via NY Times.