Empire State Realty Trust Achieves WELL Health-Safety Rating

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) today announced that Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT), the greater New York metro area office and retail real estate leader, is the first commercial real estate portfolio in the U.S. to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management. ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of 14 office properties and six stand-alone retail properties totaling approximately 10.1 million rentable square feet, including the iconic Empire State Building.

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The WELL Health-Safety Rating measures five categories: cleaning and sanitization procedures; emergency preparedness programs; health service resources; air and water quality management; and stakeholder engagement and communications.

ESRT’s participation will help restore confidence and trust among its employees, tenants, staff, and visitors. ESRT’s leadership comes from the top, its Chairman, CEO, and President, Anthony E. Malkin is also the Chair of the Real Estate Roundtable’s Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee and a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Board for the implementation of Local Law 97 in New York City. Dana Robbins Schneider, SVP of Energy, Sustainability and ESG has worked with Mr. Malkin for more than 12 years, and until she joined ESRT was Managing Director of JLL’s Americas Energy and Sustainability Projects group.

Launched in June, the WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types and is focused on operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency plans and stakeholder engagement strategies to help organizations prepare their spaces for re-entry in a post COVID-19 environment. Empire State Realty Trust joined more than 100 organizations, encompassing over 500 facilities, that responded swiftly to enroll in the documentation-based program and that continue to work towards implementing its scientific guidance.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary for companies everywhere to elevate the importance of how they contribute to the health and safety of people. Empire State Realty Trust has gone above and beyond, demonstrating admirable leadership in incorporating best practices to more safely reopen our buildings, augmenting New York City’s resilience in response to the virus,” said Rick Fedrizzi, IWBI Chairman and CEO. “We are excited to celebrate this achievement with Empire State Realty Trust as they continue to create spaces that center on people, now and into the future.”