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.

Rob Speyer and Tishman Speyer Undertake Three-Year Project to Conserve Landmark Art

Rob Speyer, President and Co-CEO of Tishman Speyer, co-owners of Rockefeller Center, announced today a three-year project to restore the iconic murals gracing the walls of the lobby of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the crown jewel of the Rockefeller Center complex.

“Rockefeller Center is not only an architectural masterpiece, but it is also a gallery of important works of art that the public can freely enjoy,” said Rob Speyer. “As the stewards of this public art work of magnificent proportions, we decided to restore the space to the artists’ and designers’ original vision. This will truly be one of the major art restoration projects in New York City history.

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Rob Speyer among the most powerful people in New York real estate in NY Observer

Coming in at number 69, Rob Speyer is among the NY Observer’s Power 100: the most powerful people in New York real estate.

Full story via New York Observer.

Jerry Speyer named the most powerful person in NY Observer’s Power 100

The New York Observer names Jerry Speyer, Co-CEO of Tishman Speyer, the most powerful person in New York real estate.

Read the full article via New York Observer.

Tishman Speyer Commission Two-year Project to Conserve Landmark Art

Two years ago, when Tishman Speyer, co-owner and manager of Rockefeller Center, hired EverGreene, Mr. Greene spent six months doing nothing but research. “I read the Rockefeller family archives,” he said. Like the surrounding complex, the art at 30 Rockefeller Plaza has a rich history. A committee set up by John D. Rockefeller and his son, John D. Rockefeller Jr., decided that the artworks there should have a unifying theme, New Frontiers, encompassing aspects of a modern society: science, labor, education, travel, communication, humanitarianism, finance and spirituality. Because 30 Rockefeller Plaza, near the Channel Gardens, where the Christmas tree stands every year, was considered the center’s flagship, it was to be the most elaborately decorated.

Full article via New York Times.

50-story building owned by Tishman Speyer is moving and expanding Chicago office

Polsinelli Shughart is nearly doubling the size of its Chicago office to 29,000 square feet, as part of a move to 161 N. Clark St., the Kansas City, Mo.-based law firm announced Monday. The firm, which has nearly 500 lawyers nationwide and 30 in Chicago, is moving its local office this fall from Two Prudential Plaza, 180 N. Stetson Ave., where it has 15,000 square feet. The firm said it has signed a 15-year lease at 161 N. Clark, where it will occupy all of the 42nd floor and part of the 41st floor. The 50-story building is owned by a venture led by New York-based Tishman Speyer Properties L.P. Grubb & Ellis Co. advised the law firm.

Full article via Chicago Business.

Rob Speyer Among the Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate As Voted by Readers of the New York Observer

For the first time, the New York Observer gave readers the opportunity, in unscientific online polls at Observer.com, to tell who they thought were the most powerful people in New York real estate. (Note: The final Power 100 was picked by The Observer’s real estate desk.) Readers were given four names per category to choose from.

Rob Speyer, President & Co-CEO of Tishman Speyer, was named among the most powerful residential landlords in New York Real Estate.

[Full story via New York Observer]