Empire State Building goes green

The Empire State Building in Manhattan, an icon of New York City, is turning green, not from rust or mildew but through action to reduce its energy consumption and carbon emissions.

It has been described as among the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Wien & Malkin Incorporated, the current owners of the 102-storey building, which for 41 years was the tallest skyscraper in the world, said yesterday they will inject an additional $80m to achieve this.

Former US President Bill Clinton’s Climate Initiative will provide a further $20 million for the preliminary five stages.

Another $400m will be spent on renovations including restoration of the building’s art deco interior.

About 105,000 tonnes of carbon emissions will be saved annually and power consumption will fall by nearly 40 percent.

All the approximately 6,500 windows will have greater film insulation and insulation will also be added between the walls and the back of all the radiators.

The air conditioning system will be upgraded to a higher level of efficiency.

Lighting in hallways and public areas will only turn on when people are there, using motion sensors.

Office staff can check on energy in their own areas from their computers via the Internet and so carry the responsibility for their own carbon footprint.

Construction of the Empire State started in January 1930, just after the Wall Street crash. Courageous investors put up the money.

Wien & Malkin Inc, hope to take on the current recession with these changes and demand higher rental fees.

A cleaner building, the company expects, will attract tenants.

The modifications are scheduled to be finished in 2013.

The owners have decided against changing the well known coloured lights at the top of the block claiming they consume only a small amount of power.

Approximately 79 percent of New York City’s CO2 emissions come from commercial sites.

Johnson Controls Inc, an energy services business designed the modifications to the Empire State Building.

Jones Lang LaSalle Inc is the project manager.