City towers set new standards of excellence.

When nominations opened in February 2006 for the 2006-2007 BOMA/NY Pinnacle Awards, almost 50 buildings, organizations and professionals threw their hats into the ring.

But the Award, which confers the highest honor in the real estate management profession, also demands the most; its rigorous competition criteria often cuts the pool of contenders in half by the time judging begins.

By November 2006, only 27 had nominees made it through the demanding regimen of preparing a written submission, and/or undergoing an in-depth building inspection or personal interview.

The field would narrow further. Only 11 could win, and their names were kept secret until February 7, 2007, when, alongside a crowd of 600 colleagues at Chelsea Piers, they learned if they had won the Pinnacle.

The Oscar-style ceremony, complete with "envelope please" fanfare, conferred the Pinnacle statuette on winners in categories ranging from Member and Manager of the Year; to Operating Building, judged by size or building type; and the Earth Award, recognizing excellence in green practices.

It also conferred "the responsibility of representing the way New York defines excellence," said BOMA/NY president Anthony S. Lifrieri, RPA, "which will now be put to the test as the Pinnacle winners move on to compete against other BOMA Association winners in the 2007-08 Regional and International Awards."

Highlights of the evening include the first time one building has won in two categories in one year (Ted Weiss Federal Office Building); the largest competition ever in New Construction, with three buildings vying for the honor but The Hearst Tower emerging as winner; some of the "tightest races ever" with the SONY Building at 550 Madison besting Morgan Stanley's headquarters at 1585 Broadway for Corporate Office Building; 1359 Broadway winning over 85 Tenth Avenue in the Renovated Building category; and the Durst Organization's decades-long dedication to the environment winning the Henry J. Muller Achievement Award, which recognizes vision for New York.

Taking home Pinnacle Awards were:

Historical Building: The Lincoln Building

Owner: W & H Properties on behalf of Lincoln Building Associates, LLC 

Management Firm: Newmark Knight Frank

Building Manager: Thomas F. Beissel

Having lost in this category last year, this architectural standout came back to win by upgrading the property above and beyond its recent $85 million renovation, and enhancing its management practices. Known for its blend of Gothic and Renaissance Revival architecture, the 1930's treasure is well positioned to serve tenants and visitors at the highest standards today.

Government Building: Ted Weiss Federal Office Building

Owner/Management Firm: US General Services Administration 

Building Manager: David V. Wells

Cited for being a model of excellence in architectural design, energy conservation and cultural service to New York City as home of the expanding colonial-era African Burial Ground and Museum, the Ted Weiss Federal Office Building also fulfills the government's commitment to showcasing works of American artists.

New Construction: The Hearst Tower

Owner: Hearst Communications, Inc.

Management Firm: Tishman Speyer Properties, Inc.

Building Manager: Geraldine Walsh

Its innovative diagrid facade by architect Lord Norman Foster has already made headlines as being the first of its kind in the US, but the real story is its behind-the-scenes Gold LEED environmental sensibilities, which include a 3-story humidifying water sculpture, rainwater collection, Energy Star appliances and abundant, non-heat producing, natural light throughout.

Earth Award: Ted Weiss Federal Office Building

Owner/Management Firm: US General Services Administration

Building Manager: David V Wells Built seven years prior to LEED, this environmentally-focused tower exceeded the energy efficiency standards in place at the time and went on to win an Energy Star award in 1999, which it recently renewed this past year. It has an ambitious recycling program, employs green cleaning substances throughout and all furnishings, fixtures and equipment fulfill one or more of the 4 "Rs" of sustainability. Energy fairs are regularly held to heighten tenant awareness.

Civic Betterment: Canstruction

Canstruction grew out of the design industry's desire to help the less fortunate, and in one of the most unique and creative ways imaginable, marries its unique design abilities with providing food to the hungry and malnourished. Design professionals compete to build sculptures of canned goods (which have run the gamut from taxi cabs to King Cobras), for special events. When the event is over, the canned goods are donated to food banks. Last year, Canstruction's 80-plus chapters nationwide donated more than 2 million pounds of food.

Henry J. Muller Achievement Award: The Durst Organization

Before LEED and Energy Star, there was The Durst organization, committed to the environment in a way no other developer has been. Its latest statement of environmental integrity is now rising as Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park, where its least ambitious goal is to reduce energy consumption by 50% over comparable buildings. Always a pioneer, Durst continues to break new ground with this tower by designing it as America's first Platinum LEED-certified structure.

Outstanding Local Member of the Year: Mark Landstrom, RPA; VP, Cogswell Realty Grp.

Cited for his integrity and leadership, Mark Landstrom's contributions to BOMA/NY include Co-Chairing the Preparedness Committee, as well as the Association's Sponsorship Committee as host city for the BOMA International Convention 2007 Convention, being held this July in New York. He also just completed a three-year term on the BOMA/NY Board of Directors, and is active in numerous charitable causes, particularly those promoting youth development.

Manager of the Year (3-10 Years Experience): Meghan Ellen Gill, RPA/FMA; 555 West 57th Street, SL Green Realty Corp.

A quick study from the time she started as a Portfolio Coordinator at SL Green five years ago, Meghan Gill was, in less than one year, juggling two Avenue of the Americas properties and is now in charge of the 1-million-sf tower on 57th Street known for the dramatic BMW showroom at its base. She is given high marks for challenging herself and her staff to excel, and most recently initiated aggressive programs to implement savings from NYSERDA and with the NYISO.

Manager of the Year (10 Years or More Experience): Stephen A. McGann, CPM/RPA; General Manager, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, CB Richard Ellis, Inc.

This formal US Naval Officer took his first assignment on dry land 15 years ago and has been a management success ever since. Serving at the helm of 1290 Broadway through two acquisitions, Stephen McGann is widely credited with successfully navigating staff, tenants and the asset through the ownership transitions, while implementing post 9-11 security measures, personnel training programs and capital reductions of $2 million.

Corporate Office Building: Sony Building (550 Madison Avenue)

Owner: Sony Corporation of America 

Management Firm: Grubb & Ellis Real Estate Services, Inc.

Building Manager: David Azzopardi

Once renowned as the AT&T Building, the Sony Building has added as much interest to its base as the Chippendale pediment once generated at its crown. Its Public Arcade has bistro seating for the public, Spiderman scales the walls, and it serves as home to the Wonder and Technology Lab, which has made it New York's most popular office building with the younger generation. The 647-foot tall tower also features a Sky Lobby and 37 floors of premier office space, where upper stories are connected by elegant marble interior staircases and feature breathtaking views.

Renovated Building: 1359 Broadway

Owner: W & H Properties on behalf of 1350 Marlboro Associates, LLC

Management Firm: Newmark Knight Frank

Building Manager: Wayne W. Wiedman

1350 Broadway took home the Pinnacle for its turn-around strategy of taking this 1920's-era garment center building to its highest and best use by aggressively repositioning it for Class A tenancies. As part of a $50 million renovation, the front entrance and lobby were completely redesigned, mechanical systems were upgraded and numerous amenities and services added. Occupancy soared from below 40% prior to renovation, to above 90% today.

Operating Office Building--100,000-499,999 sf : 501 Seventh Avenue

Owner: 501 Seventh Avenue Associates LLC

Management Firm: CB Richard Ellis, Inc.

Building Manager: Javier Lezamiz

Last year's winner for Renovated Building, 501 Seventh returned this year to prove its mettle as an Operating Building. The 1923 garment center building may be Romanesque on the exterior, but on the interior, its management goals place it on a par with the most modern structures built today. It provides an international tenant roster with a completely new building infrastructure; a dramatic, contemporary new lobby; and state-of-the-art service that has boosted occupancy from below 55% to virtually 100%.

Operating Office Building--500,000-1,000,000 sf : 320 Park Avenue

Owner: Mutual of America Life Insurance

Management Firm: Jones Lang LaSalle 

Building Manager: Scott Robinson

Transformed by a comprehensive reconstruction more than one decade ago, 320 Park Avenue today offers premier tenant service and continually strives to promote operational savings and benefits, as its recent certification as an Energy Star property demonstrates. The 35-story tower features a dramatic, flag-topped crown, an elegant granite and painted aluminum facade, a polished Italian marble lobby, full-floor identity and stunning views of one of the world's most prestigious business boulevards.

Operating Office Building--Over 1,000,000 sf: Time Warner Center 

Owner: A consortium led by Related Properties, Inc.

Management Firm: Related Management Co., LP Building Manager: James Kleeman

One of the most elegant solutions for a decades-long urban dilemma--what to do with the former Coliseum site--Time Warner Center made headlines and history with its groundbreaking design. While serving as headquarters for Time Warner CNN, it also debuted the New York flagship of the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the one-of-a-kind Jazz@Lincoln Center venue, a five-story retail podium for world-class dining and shopping, and two dramatic towers of luxurious office and residential space. When combined with high design, this unprecedented occupancy redefined mixed-use development.

BOMA/NY is the Greater New York Area Association of BOMA International, with more than 850 members active in all areas affecting the industry--from continuing education to advocacy, to preparedness, energy management, and codes and regulations updates. It is the sponsor of the real estate industry's most prestigious awards--the Pinnacles--which recognize excellence in operations and personal contribution. BOMA/NY is the major source for the profession's continuing education and is the exclusive provider of the BOMI coursework required for the RPA, FMA, SMA and SMT designations. In recent years, the Association has become an increasingly influential voice at City Hall, the State House in Albany and in Washington, DC, lobbying for issues as diverse as mold remediation and terrorism insurance.