NEW YORK CITY-Homeowners in Zeckendorf Towers, the very recognizable 29-story, 647-unit pyramid-topped building that led the revitalization of Union Square more than 20 years ago, have voted overwhelmingly to become the largest completely smoke-free condominium in New York City—and likely the nation.
Of those unit owners casting ballots, 83.5% voted in favor of the amendment to prohibit smoking in both residential units and public areas for all new residents, with a grandfather clause granting existing owner-residents who smoke a three-year interval before their units are subject to the smoke-free policy. A record 85% of unit owners voted on the policy, making it the strongest voting turnout in the building's history.
The vote makes Zeckendorf Towers the largest non-smoking residential property—including condominium, cooperative, and rental buildings—in the tower, and maybe even across the country. While several new condominiums in New York City have prohibited smoking since their opening, Zeckendorf Towers is one of only a handful of condominiums whose unit owners have voted to transition their building to smoke-free status.
The vote comes on the heels of a recent Quinnipiac University poll that revealed 59% percent of New Yorkers would prefer to live in a smoke-free building, yet a majority would also prefer that the restriction not be dictated by the city.
The building's board first began to explore going smoke-free in 2010, following numerous complaints from residents about cigarette smoke. After confirming that they could legally prohibit smoking by amending the building's bylaws, the board partnered with the New York City Department of Health and Manhattan Smoke-Free Partnership, part of the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City.
"Zeckendorf Towers has always been at the forefront of real estate innovation in New York City, and we're proud to be leading the way once again on another step forward that will improve the quality of life for our neighbors and our community," says Pete Ellis, a member of the Zeckendorf Tower condominium home owners board. "We hope that our example will inspire other buildings throughout the city to go smoke-free and improve the health of our city."
“Smoke-free housing is a growing national trend,” says Maria Pico, Borough Manager for the Manhattan Smoke-Free Partnership. She notes that 97.5% of Manhattan homes are in a multi-unit building (3+ units) and 70% of all New York City homes are in multi-unit housing, the highest concentration in the country.
Up to 65% of the air in such buildings is shared between units, and studies confirm that secondhand smoke travels between apartments and floors. According to the US Surgeon General, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure.
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Rayna Katz
Rayna Katz is a seasoned business journalist whose extensive experience includes coverage of the lodging sector, travel and the culinary space. She was most recently content director for a business-to-business publisher, overseeing four publications. While at Meeting News, a travel trade publication, she received a Best Reporting award for a story on meeting cancellations in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
