Morgan Stanley, Rockefeller, Tishman join to top out tower.

Principals representing the owners and Ca- developers of 745 Seventh Ave. -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (MSDW) and Rockefeller Group Development Corporation -- joined Tishman Construction Corporation and 500 trade workers at the construction site recently, for the traditional "topping out" ceremonies of the new, 1.1 million SF office tower. MSDW will occupy most of the space in the technologically advanced corporate facility located in midtown Manhattan.

Erection of more than 12,000 tons of structural steel for the new tower began only 8 months ago and was completed on schedule, under Tishman's direction as construction manager. The building is located on 7th Ave. and runs the entire block between W. 49th and W. 50th Streets. Ultimately, it will be connected with Rockefeller Center's vast underground concourse system, and will provide the public with a new interior entrance to the N and R subway station, as well as a re-created plaza midway between Seventh Ave. and Ave. of the Americas.

Principals at the ceremony signed the last steel beam to be placed in the building's structure -- a ritual "topping out" -- signaling completion of the steel erection for the 32-story tower. As tradition holds, construction workers attached an American flag and evergreen tree to the beam, which was hoisted to the top of the building.

All of those involved in the development, design, and construction of the project were on hand to cheer the lift. A brief program followed, which included remarks from MSDW, Rockefeller Group, and Tishman executives.

Jonathan D. Green, president and CEO of Rockefeller Group Development Corporation, stated: "The quality of the work accomplished here has set a high standard of excellence and inspired us all. This addition to the New York skyline will be a building we will point to with pride."

Daniel R. Tishman, president and CEO of Tishman Construction Corporation, said: "We are very proud to be the builders of this magnificent new Manhattan office tower for two of the most prestigious companies in the worlds of finance and real estate. I applaud the entire design and construction team and all the construction workers who have diligently brought us to this momentous day."

Other companies that participated in the ceremony included Hines Interests Limited Partnership, development advisor to MSDW, Kohn Pedersen Fox, the building's architect, Gensler, Interior Architects, Thornton-Tomasetti, structural engineers, Jaros Baum & Bolles, mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineers, Robert Derector Telecommunications, and Colliers ABR, real estate brokerage services.