NEW YORK CITY – Related Companies has unveiled its innovation lab, Sandbox as the newest and final amenity at Zaha Hadid's 520 West 28^th Street in Manhattan. As the first immersive innovation lab amenity in a residential building, Sandbox offers a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) focused learning and building approach to encourage creation, innovation and a design mentality, as preparation for the rapidly-evolving digital-age future. Providing the opportunity to transform ideas into reality, the newest amenity aims to offer unique resources through the latest digital fabrication technologies, including robotics, 3D printing, laser printing, virtual reality systems, app development, digital game design, pottery, sewing, a carving station, LEGO Mindstorm and Little Bits, a magnetic invention system which allows the ability to build circuits through power, LED lights, motors, coding machines and more. The space features state-of-the-art rapid prototype tools, such as an Ultimaker 3D, Glowforge laser printers and a designated VR room. The next generation "smart playroom" will feature hands-on workshops to promote collaboration, exploration and invention through thoughtful, original programming, in a space geared toward ages six through fourteen, but intended for all. While more schools currently adopt STEAM and Maker Education into curriculums, Sandbox serves as the first makerspace of its kind; housed in a residential building as an offering to tenants. Providing the notion of continued learning through extended home-schooling, the makerspace offers residents access to a range of professional educators, to engage directly with for specialized group or one-on-one training, tutoring, mentoring and activities. "Technology is quickly changing the world through automation and artificial intelligence, and it is incumbent upon us to help prepare for it by fostering to ability to create, ideate and work productively," Greg Gushee, EVP of Related Companies, expressed. "We hope to positively impact the next generation of makers." With an engineering background, Gushee served as the driving force behind the concept. When thinking up the space, he contacted STEAM educator and makerspace consultant, Lesa Wang to advise on the development and build the "playroom of the future." As a placemaker with a background in art and education, Wang helped curate the dynamic offerings for residents, implementing custom programing to ensure that every offering is useful to kids of this generation and exclusive only to Sandbox. To bring the space to life, Related Companies formed partnerships with industry leaders and educators, as well as local schools and youth groups. The company collaborated with the Brooklyn Robot Foundry and MacInspires to activate the space's events calendar. In addition to the latest residential amenity reveal, Related Companies also introduced Sandbox Playground, a connecting, temporary, public events space which will host various partners on rotation as Sandbox's community-facing aspect. With a separate entrance on 27^th Street, Sandbox Playground will bring interactive, pop-up exhibitions to the events space on a monthly basis throughout 2019; further expanding Sandbox offerings to the West Chelsea and Hudson Yards area. As the initial partner to occupy Sandbox Playground, Nerdy Derby, an educational non-profit, has joined Related Companies to specialize in hands-on building and competitive skills for success. Within the space, participants are currently able to access design thinking skills to create their own racecars and partake in friendly "no-rules" play, while utilizing a custom racetrack and a "super jump" ramp, which measures travel distance.

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An ode to the late Zaha Hadid's imaginative impact, Related Companies chose to implement the luxury, high-tech resource inside 520 West 28^th Street, one of the last buildings that Hadid designed before passing in 2016. The recently opened building embodies Hadid's spirit of innovation, offering robotic parking, robotic storage and currently host to the only known IMAX theater in a residential building. Sandbox's interiors represent a collaboration between Zaha Hadid Architects and interior designer, Christin Farrar. Focusing on its commitment to one-of-a-kind amenities and communal offerings, Related Companies' entrepreneurial approach aims to deliver ongoing access to progressive programming for its residents and its buildings' neighboring communities. Striving to enhance residential experiences for families, the company has implemented separate, additional services, such as indoor and outdoor playgrounds, Dog City and Kid's Club, which offers diverse weekend programming from robotics to crafts and music. Related Companies recently co-developed the 28-acre Hudson Yards area in Manhattan, serving as the largest private real estate development in New York since Rockefeller Center. Transforming the area into a thriving destination, the new community is expected to contribute nearly $19 billion annually to New York City's gross domestic product. Related Companies, headquartered in New York City, is a privately-owned, fully-integrated, global real estate and lifestyle firm. Specializing in development, acquisition, management, finance, marketing and sales, the company has more than $60 billion in asset owned or under development.