Beyer Blinder Belle have big plans for ESB lobby.

The Empire State Building, the world's most famous office building, is in the midst of planning for a comprehensive restoration and revitalization of its Shreve, Lamb and Harmon-designed Art Deco lobby.

As part of the review, a number of historic features and finishes and distinctive architectural details, which have been obscured by alterations over time, would be restored or recreated, and allowances for better operations as a modern office building would be made.

"Ownership is committed to its ongoing program of improvements and repositioning of the Empire State Building," says James T. Connors, the building's General Manager.

"We have already spent a tremendous amount of money on building systems and upgrades, and are now moving aggressively into the public areas, and Beyer, Blinder Belle is a natural partner for the world's most famous office building."

Beyer Blinder Belle, the famed architecture and planning firm that has revitalized such national landmarks such as Grand Central Terminal, the U.S. Capitol and the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, will provide architectural drawings and plans that would be utilized to restore the lobby's original historic character, thus enhancing its appeal to corporate users.

Included in the plans under consideration for submission for Landmarks approval is the restoration of the lobby's historic ceiling mural, a significant Art Deco architectural feature that was fully covered by a hung ceiling with fluorescent lighting installed during the 1960's. The original ceiling depicts a starry celestial sky, rendered in exquisite gold and silver leaf. Working with art conservation consultant EverGreene Painting Studios and lighting designers Light Projects, Beyer Blinder Belle has already accurately recreated a portion of the damaged original mural.

Also in planning is the replacement of the long lost, original incandescent uplight fixtures with modern, energy-efficient fixtures and supplemented with carefully located downlights which would meet contemporary light level requirements at the pedestrian level and create a historically accurate theatrical effect above and bring out the rich visual texture of the lobby's marble walls.

Beyer Blinder Belle will also address important planning and design issues throughout the lobby's street entrances, corridors, retail spaces, and elevator bank areas, including a fully equipped tenant visitor desk and improved pedestrian circulation while maintaining security, improving signage, and making optimal use of currently under-utilized areas.

These improvements would elevate the Empire State building, both aesthetically and as a modern office building.

Comments Richard Metsky, partner-in-charge, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP, "We are excited to have the opportunity to be part of the planning to restore the character and drama that the original architects intended the lobby to have."

CB Richard Ellis was recently hired as leasing agent for the Empire State Building. "We are confident that our work, the commitment and vision of ownership, and the artistic and technological advances being performed throughout the building will propel the Empire State Building into one of the 21st century's most spectacular office spaces," says Mitchell Rudin, president, CBRE New York Tri-State region,