Thornton Tomasetti celebrates 50 years with Cipriani's bash.

Thornton Tomasetti, the premier international engineering and design firm that is widely recognized for creating structures to support the world's tallest buildings, recently held its 50th Anniversary Party at Cipriani on 23rd Street in Manhattan's Flatiron District. The celebration commemorated a rich history of groundbreaking projects worldwide as well as the basic principles the firm was founded on; collaboration of minds and devotion to building solutions at the highest level.

"We launched this firm after learning from one of the best, Lev Zetlin, and set on a course to provide exemplary professional services clearly distinct from other firms," Richard Tomasetti, Chairman, commented during the evening. "We come here tonight to commemorate not only the firm, but our incredible clients whose ideas inspire us every day."

Founded in New York City in 1956 as Lev Zetlin Associates, Thornton Tomasetti has burgeoned into a premier 500-person organization, responsible for engineering the world's most impressive towers such as the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai 101 and Taipei 101, as well as the restoration of some of the world's most historic buildings and landmarks. Commissioner David Burney of the New York City Department of Design & Construction read a letter of congratulations from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Patricia Lancaster, Commissioner of New York City Department of Buildings, was also in attendance as were approximately 650 clients, associates and members of the Thornton Tomasetti team nationwide in an effort to honor a vibrant history of structural excellence and the clients that made it possible.

The event featured a brief film spotlighting the firm's dynamic, fifty-year history, including interviews with the firm's founding principals and the current team of managing principals discussing the past, present, and future of the company while highlighting the significant role the firm's work has played in world history.

"Young engineers around the world want to join the firm, and their differing backgrounds enhance company creativity. Everyone is dedicated, and the atmosphere is one of harmony," said Charlie Thornton, founding principal and former co-chairman, currently a consultant and advisor to the Board of Directors. "We are pleased to commemorate our 50th Anniversary and feel lucky to be here as a firm, celebrating the past and looking ahead to the future."