Client story

Empire State Building retrofit cuts 10-year emissions by 40%

The retrofit of New York's Empire State Building has made it one of the world’s most energy efficient buildings

Challenge

In August 2006, the Empire State Realty Trust secured control of the iconic Empire State Building and planned a complete redevelopment to make it one of the most energy efficient buildings in New York City, and a model for others to follow.

Solution

Empire State Realty Trust worked with a team of experts which include the Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls and the Rocky Mountain Institute. The Trust had already chosen JLL to be the project manager of the entire Empire State project because of the prior positive experience.

Results

The retrofit of New York's Empire State Building has made it one of the world’s most energy efficient buildings. Through a combination of eight energy efficiency projects which include a retrofit of all the 6,514 windows, the reuse of 96% of the original frames and glassware, plus the installation of 67 elevators that generate electricity instead of heat when braking—the building has already surpassed its original energy consumption reduction target of 38 % and annual energy savings of $4.4 million.

In April 2019, New York City Council passed legislation, known as Local Law 97, to mandate all existing buildings 25,000 square feet or larger to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and by 80% by 2050.