Energy Efficient Buildings in Manhattan

The borough of Manhattan, known affectionately by New York residents as simply “The City,” is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. With approximately 1.6 million permanent residents in just under 23 square miles, that number equates to nearly 70,000 people per square mile. When you consider that the number of people in Manhattan swells to almost four million each workday with commuters arriving for work, the need for energy-efficient buildings to combat the immense emission of greenhouse gasses becomes immediately apparent. Manhattan’s buildings and skyscrapers account for 75% of these gas emissions. The City of New York has committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2025 and 80% by 2050. Here are some of the greenest buildings in Manhattan that are already working hard towards those goals.

In a true out-of-the-ashes story, One World Trade Center became the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere upon its completion in 2014 and has become one of the greenest in New York since then. Located near Battery Park City, it is named after the structure whose address it now occupies. In 2016, it was awarded LEED certification for its energy-efficient design. Several features incorporated into the architecture are impressive and ingenious. An insulated spandrel was used in the skin of the building, and by allowing natural light into 90% of the office space, the cost of heating and lighting is significantly reduced. It also has a glass enclosure that utilizes a low-E glass coating that minimizes heat gain, lessening the cost of cooling the building in the summer. Battery Park City residents can look with pride at their now-iconic and environmentally-friendly neighborhood skyscraper.

 

Bank of America Tower sits at 1 Bryant Park on West 43rd Street. This beautiful building is LEED Platinum-certified and was inspired by the need for the people to connect to their natural environment, a phenomenon called biophilia. With an urban garden room on its lowest floor, the tower makes use of raw environmental inputs such as fresh air and sunshine. In addition to its namesake, Bank of America, the building houses Broadway’s first green theater, the Stephen Sondheim Theater, which is LEED Gold-certified.

10 Hudson Yards, located not far from Chelsea real estate, was a significant part of the Hudson Yards development project, and it is the anchor tenant of the complex. Another LEED Platinum-certified structure, 10 Hudson Yards is a truly unique building situated both above and below railroads. It is filled with green initiatives such as on-site power generation, variable power and temperature demands based on current environmental conditions, and a massive ventilation system powered by 15 fans. Plus, 10 Hudson Yards collects rainwater for reuse in a 60,000-gallon tank. Prevention of erosion and encouraging aeration is provided through the use of smart soil. People who buy homes in the Chelsea real estate market are fortunate to have this tribute to energy efficiency close by.

At the corner of West 57th Street and 8th Avenue sits the Hearst Tower. With its energy-efficient interior, core, and shell, it quickly became the first building in the city to earn a LEED Gold certification. In 2012, it went on to earn a LEED Platinum certification for existing buildings, making it the first structure in the world to be awarded both. Since construction wrapped in 2006, its energy consumption has been reduced by more than 40%, thanks to the company’s strict policy of constantly evaluating energy use and seeking ways to save it. It ranks among the top 10% of the most energy-efficient buildings in the United States. As the first building in New York to implement a composting program, the Hearst Tower composts all of its wet food wastes and has reduced landfill waste by 90%. It has also lowered its water usage by 33%. The tower is truly a modern marvel of energy efficiency.

 

Not too far from Chelsea real estate at 55 West 11th Street in Greenwich Village, The Greenwich Lane is another LEED Gold-certified Manhattan building. It was the first residential property to be pre-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. One of its more innovative features is the design of its parking garage. The structure contains many EV charging stations and secure places to store bicycles. The building has an impressive stormwater collection process, which means it does not need any potable water. The plumbing fixtures are highly efficient, and the complex made use of many recyclable, local, and eco-friendly materials in its construction. The lighting fixtures use also LEDs, which are far more energy-efficient than standard light bulbs.

 

One of New York’s most iconic landmarks — a place where tourists love to take the elevator to the observation deck to see Battery Park City and far beyond — the Empire State Building earned LEED Gold certification in 2011, impressive for a structure built in the 30s. It is one of the few historical landmarks to achieve such accreditation. Its many bathrooms have all been fitted with ultra-low-flow, water-saving plumbing fixtures. The carpets and all paper products are recycled, and cleaning supplies are all of the green variety. Pest control systems are eco-friendly, and waste and construction debris are recycled. Energy efficiency is just one more thing to add to the fame of this iconic building.

 

Uptown in Hamilton Heights on West 153rd Street sits Perch Harlem. As a Passive House, it is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the city. The structure is air-tight and uses the heat given off by stoves, dryers, and water heaters to warm the building, reducing energy usage by an impressive 90%.

As the nation’s largest city, New York uses more energy than most. Thanks to the efforts to improve energy efficiency in Manhattan buildings, that usage is dropping. Get in touch with Festina Lente Real Estate to look at energy-efficient properties for yourself in the Big Apple today!