Three SL Green Buildings Get Redo Programs

NEW YORK CITY-Locally based SL Green Realty Corp. is underway with comprehensive redevelopment programs at three of its New York City buildings, namely 711 Third Ave., 810 Seventh Ave. and 16 Court St. in Brooklyn. Steven Durels, the firm’s EVP and director of leasing and real property, says that the redo programs are consistent with SL Green’s strategy of “acquiring and repositioning well-located properties.”

Durels tells GlobeSt.com that SL consistently reinvests in its buildings. “Consequently the timing of these particular capital programs is driven by pending lease expirations at 810 Seventh and 711 Third avenues and a recent acquisition at 16 Court St.” Durels explains that asking rents are $35 per sf to $40 per sf at 16 Court St., $65 per sf to $90 per sf at 810 Seventh Ave. and $65 per sf at 711 Third Ave.

16 Court St.

Durels says that the firm will make “substantial esthetic enhancements in the look and feel of each of the buildings,” adding that SL Green will also “upgrade the building infrastructure as appropriate in order to offer our tenants a state-of-the-art working environment. A well thought-out capital plan and rebranding of each building are part of our overall repositioning effort.” He explains to GlobeSt.com that “although there is always an interruption to existing building tenants, these projects will have nominal disruption since the majority of the work is well outside existing tenant spaces.”

A $7-million renovation of the lobby and elevator cabs is underway at 711 Third Ave., a 20-story, 553,000-sf tower located near Grand Central Terminal. Key elements of the renovation include new polished Thassos and Blue deSavoi Marble walls, a new polished Austiri Quartz floor, museum quality lighting, new elevator cabs, security systems featuring optical turnstiles, and a new visitor access system. The building’s Third Avenue entrance will be expanded to the building line and a new entrance canopy will be added. According to a prepared statement, the most challenging aspect of the renovation is restoring Hans Hofmann’s mosaic mural, which surrounds the elevator banks. Locally based TPG Architecture is managing the restoration process. Tenants in the building include Crain’s New York Business, Omnicom, Parade Publications, Ricoh Corp., and Chicago Title Insurance Co.

810 Seventh Ave.

[IMGCAP(2)]A $10 million capital improvement campaign is ongoing at 810 Seventh Ave., a 41-story, 694,000-sf office building located on the Southwest corner of Seventh Avenue at West 53rd Street. Among the improvements are a new lobby, elevator cabs, fire alarm, common corridors and bathrooms. Additionally, a facade restoration and electric upgrade are included. The design will feature sustainable natural materials such as bamboo and stone that are appealing, but also environmentally sensitive. Highlights will include travertine stone and dark bamboo accents at the walls and ceiling. The design architect for the project is A+I Design. Among the tenants in the building are: Hearst Communication/Metromedia Co.; WWOR-TV; Practicing Law Institute; Insight Communication; Cingular; and Oppenheimer & Co.

The $16 million dollar capital program at 16 Court St., a 38-story, 284,000-sf building includes a new lobby, elevator cabs, elevator equipment modernization, new windows, restroom renovations and common corridor upgrades. Additionally, a $1.2 million façade restoration and fire alarm replacement are underway. Lobby finishes include polarized quartz floor tiles, black marble, white glass and walnut wood walls. A pre-build program has completed construction of 15 office suites ready for immediate tenant move-in. TPG Architecture is the design architect on the project. Tenants at the property include the New York Times’ Brooklyn Bureau, Marcus & Millichap, NYC Department of Transportation, and the Kings County Democratic Committee.