The email landed at 12:41 a.m. on July 1, East Coast time—and
the news was the best in almost 25 years!
230 Park Avenue had triumphed in its
third quest to bring the gold -- make that crystal -- home for New York City as an
International TOBY winner. And at that late hour, BOMA/NY Executive Director Bobbi McGowan, CAE was still
working at the BOMA International Convention in Los Angeles, spreading the
good news on the home front.
And welcome news it was. After a decade of winning three times at the Regional level -- twice for Historical Building (in
2007 and again, for the current competition this past April), and once in 2012 for
Operating Office Building (over 1 million sf) -- the Crown Jewel of Park Avenue triumphed by taking its Historical Building across the
International finish line. It bested the Ford Center in Minneapolis, the Monroe
Building in Chicago and The Fort Worth Club in Texas in its drive to win the
TOBY, real estate’s most prestigious, and most rigorous, competition for ownership
and management excellence. 
It was also the solo International TOBY win for NYC this year and the first NYC Historical Building award since the Empire State Building claimed the honors in 1991-1992. The awards were a very different competition then; categories such as Environmental/Sustainability did not exist, and Energy Conservation, Training and Emergency Preparedness have changed dramatically.
The Winning Formula
Under th
e direction of former Monday Properties EVP Hani
Salama, PE/LEED AP, this beloved historic landmark was transformed via a $100-million-plus renovation that upgraded the entire facade, all building systems, the landmarked interiors and public spaces. As a result, it became
NYC’s first and oldest landmark to achieve LEED Gold, Energy Star and BOMA 360.
Former owner Monday Properties did not stop there. It
created a dramatic and environmentally responsible lighting scheme that
highlights the gems of 230’s facade in vibrant light displays that also celebrate
holidays and special events for all of New York to enjoy. Ownership
brought the unique
pedestrian arcades into the 21st Century by combining
historical restoration with electronic news and advertising technology.
Sidewalk treatments highlighted the building’s origins as the headquarters for
the New York Central Building, as did the comprehensive ren
ovations of one of
the most beautiful Beaux Arts interiors of any building in America. Ownership
even "built in" the history, commemorating bronze lobby murals of the 20th Century Express steaming out of the Terminal, a popular image that cemented the
building’s early reputation as the Gateway to America.
Monday’s on-site management, led during the past decade by Property Managers Bill Bassett, Caroline Molloy, RPA and now Brian Jauntig, RPA(2014 Pinnacle Manager of the Year, 3-10 Years of Experience), embraced the renovation and its balance of showcasing history within a 21st Century sustainable landmark through a host of tenant programs. They ranged from teaching tenants sustainability through 230’s Greening a Landmark information program, to innovative Earth Day events featuring an interactive twist (see photo to the right), green teaching sessions and its Crossroads newsletter.
Every new tenant was welcomed with "Building Dreams: How 230 Park helped build one of the world’s great
avenues." (See photo to the left). This photo-laden booklet takes tenants into the past -- when cows
would graze outside Grand Central Depot -- to the 230 Park of today, and into the
hidden spaces within the famous lantern and cupola. It was created to coincide
with the Terminal’s 100th Anniversary and the building’s 85th.
Communications was always front and center at 230 Park, whether from health fairs to help tenants perform more productively at their desks, or to emergency preparedness sessions that cooperated with surrounding buildings (due to their proximity to Grand Central Terminal) and went beyond the EAP to emphasize tenant business continuity plans, recovery and more. Again, management did not stop there, commissioning an app for tenant representatives and staff that provides state-of-the-art communications and more during emergency situations.
To better serve the 230 Park community and it neighborhood, new retail was recruited, including the hottest food hall in Midtown, to convey contemporary retail experiences with panache.
The engineering team led by Darryl Montoya focused
relentlessly on energy conservation, saving millions of kWh 
systematically
through upgrades, staff training and continually identifying ways to improve
savings, while maintaining comfort for 230 Park's 100-plus tenants.
Shortly after filing its TOBY submission earlier this year,
the building transitioned from Monday Properties as owner and manager, to RXR
Realty, which kept the current management team of Brian Jauntig, RPA on as Manager
and Alex Barrett as Assistant Property Manager.
Speaking on behalf of RXR Realty, which is returning the building to its former name, the Helmsley Building, Scott Rechler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said "As the proud owner and manager of The Helmsley Building, RXR is honored to accept the award for the 2015 International Historic Office Building. It is a privilege for RXR to own The Helmsley Building, one of the city’s most important icons. We are committed to furthering the initiatives undertaken by the previous ownership of 230 Park Avenue and will hold the bar high with maintaining the building's historic stature, while at the same time creating 21st century business environments for the most discerning tenants. We will focus on advancing the property into the new millennium through curated amenities and enriched tenant experiences."
Photography credits: The 230 Park "crown" shot and elevator doors were taken by Peter Loppacher; Stork shot was taken by Van Stolatis and the EAP Training seminar was taken by Susan Stava .
BOMA/NY
http://www.bomany.org/