July 2012
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BOMA/NY A WINNING PRESENCE AT BOMA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: 575 FIFTH SETS NEW RECORDS FOR NYC

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The BOMA International TOBY awards gala last month kicked off the ceremony with a winner from New York—575 Fifth Avenue in the Corporate Facility category. (See winning team at left)

Owned by MetLife and managed by Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., the L’Oreal USA headquarters facility bested seven competitors from across the country and Canada and made BOMA/NY history—it  became the fifth New York winner in this category since 2000. No other city has won as many Corporate Facility awards in that same time period.

The Energy Star®-certified 575 Fifth Avenue joins previous NYC winners: The Hearst Tower (2010-11), the Sony US Headquarters on Madison Avenue (2007-8), Chase Metrotech Three and Four in Brooklyn (2000-1), and the Bertelsmann Building (1999-2000).

Overall, New York has had nine International TOBY winners since 2000, with five in Corporate Facility, two in Renovated, and one each in the Operating Office Building and Government categories.

Accepting the award on behalf of the building team, BOMA/NY President Louis J. Mantia said, "This TOBY award validates MetLife's vision—repositioning 575 Fifth as a world class headquarters for one of the great global brands—and stands as proof positive that exceptional teamwork wins the day. New York is the headquarters capital of the world, and at BOMA/NY we are proud that once again, we brought home a Corporate Facility TOBY Award to the city that defines corporate excellence." Joining Mr. Mantia on stage for the award acceptance were Frank A. Freda, Executive Managing Director-Global Facilities Management at Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., and BOMA/NY’s Executive Director, Roberta M. McGowan, CAE.

In the mid-1980’s, cosmetics global giant L’Oreal selected the 35-story post-modern tower at 575 Fifth for its new US headquarters. By 2005, when MetLife acquired the building, L’Oreal had expanded to occupy 80 percent of the tower. Ownership undertook an ambitious renovation to accommodate L’Oreal’s present and future needs, while repositioning 575 for a state-of-the-art renovation of its base, public spaces, and 21st Century sustainability as an Energy Star® tower. That repositioning, in conjunction with management’s innovative tenant, community and emergency preparedness programs, set the standards for a new generation of Fifth Avenue properties. By retaining the headquarters of L’Oreal at 575 Fifth, the building helped restore the viability of this venerable avenue as a headquarters destination.