The Empire State Building is getting a massive face-lift, with glaziers installing new windows to replace most of the original 1931 glass.
All 480 windows on the Empire State Building's 200 foot-high mast are slated to be replaced with new ones, reports the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The glass panels protect the LED lights of the iconic tower, which are part of the building's massive light show system. Although some of the glass panels have reportedly been replaced, a good number of the windows have been around since the building opened in 1931.
The WSJ report also mentioned that the glass face lift is one of the final phases of the building's renovation. The project's planning work reportedly began in February 2014, helmed by building owner, Empire State Realty Trust Inc., and construction company, Skanska USA. Anthony E. Malkin, chief executive of the Empire State Realty Trust, shared that the team has already "rejuvenated everything from its infrastructure, its energy efficiency and its tenant mix." The next phase was to revitalize the "mooring mast" although it entailed a "very complicated process," said Malkin.
Workers would only start replacing the glass from 2:00 am until 7:00 am, states the WSJ report. However, prior the 2:00 am closing of the observation decks, the crew from subcontractor, Kilroy Architectural Windows, would already prepare their gear and construction supplies for the daily work. The glaziers' target is to replace eight panels every night. Unfortunately, work will reportedly stop once the wind speed exceeds 25 mph.
The Empire State Building glass replacement project began in July and is expected to finish by November, states WSJ.
In other news, the iconic New York building recently changed its leasing agent, reports the Real Estate Weekly. The Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. made the announcement earlier in August, wherein the company identified Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) as its new leasing agent for the Empire State Building.
JLL replaced Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) who took over the leasing activities for the building since 2009, states the report. The Empire State Realty Trust Inc. reportedly declined to comment on their decision to replace NGKF.
