In the presence of 350 invited guests, Petra Roth, Mayor of the City of Frankfurt, and architect Martin Gruber joined Jerry and Rob Speyer, Co-CEOs of Tishman Speyer, as well as Jochen Klösges, a member of the Commerzbank AG Board of Managing Directors, in lowering the copper foundation stone capsule through a Plexiglas tube into the 10-meter-deep construction pit.

For Tishman Speyer, TaunusTurm represents the third phase of what has proven to be an enormously successful development initiative in Frankfurt, preceded by the MesseTurm and OpernTurm projects.

To be located at the corner of Neue Mainzer Strasse/Taunustor and the “Wallanlagen”, the park belt, TaunusTurm will be the first building on Neue Mainzer Strasse to have its 13-meter-high entrance facing the adjacent park. The slender tower with a white natural stone façade, which was designed by the Frankfurt firm Gruber + Kleine-Kraneburg Architekten, is expected to be the first new high-rise in the city to be awarded LEED Platinum certification.

The construction of TaunusTurm will considerably upgrade the Wallanlagen – the adjacent former city fortifications. Part of the plot of land will be used to extend them and make them accessible by means of a new promenade along the entire row of buildings. Amenities in the form of a restaurant for staff and guests, and a business club with conference space will enhance the property. Next to the TaunusTurm, Tishman Speyer is developing a residential tower, with an entrance aligned to the park, making it a prime address on Frankfurt’s unique park belt.

Petra Roth, Mayor of the City of Frankfurt, emphasized the entrepreneurial vision of Tishman Speyer and Commerz Real. TaunusTurm, she said, integrates a new urban space for work and life into the existing fabric of the city and gifts future residents, employees and guests a great deal quality of life: “The entire development of the TaunusTurm project is infused with the notion of sustainability. It is precisely this which a center such as Frankfurt really needs: Investors who believe in the potential of the place.” Mayor Roth insists that such vision will spell a strong competitive edge: “In keeping with the claim of ‘Be Inspired’ TaunusTurm is already a massive success for the City of Frankfurt as it not only creates hundreds of jobs but at the end of the day will be an impressive new landmark for the city.”

In a joint statement, Jerry and Rob Speyer, Co-CEOs of Tishman Speyer, said, “Frankfurt is one of Europe’s great cities and its importance as a key financial center will undoubtedly keep growing during the coming years. We continue to pursue a strategy of developing and owning premier properties in world-class cities, and this project is consistent with that strategy, while it satisfies Frankfurt’s growing need for high quality office space that is architecturally superior, flexible, efficient and sustainable.”

Jochen Klösges, Member of the Management Board of Commerzbank AG, highlighted the special location of TaunusTurm and the responsibility that comes with it, commenting, “It has been of major concern to us to implement a project in this prominent location in the banking district on a property formerly from our corporate portfolio that would guarantee complete success. The conditions have been met perfectly: The striking architecture, the quality of the space, and the alignment toward Taunusanlage are proof of the great attractiveness of TaunusTurm.”

“Be Inspired – by seeing what is! We as architects are constantly moved forward by our visions. Creating a new location, imagining it from nothing, now that is always the search for the special, for the essentials. At this location, right here, we see the great opportunity to design and build a sculptural high-rise, a shape that contained multiple uses, right in the heart of the city of Frankfurt. TaunusTurm brings all this together and can be read as a metaphor for contemporary economics and aesthetics,” commented Martin Gruber of Gruber + Kleine-Kraneburg Architekten.

“When we broke ground on The Springs in June, we were confident that world-class companies would recognize the value and importance of establishing a presence in Shanghai,” said Tishman Speyer co-CEOs Jerry Speyer and Rob Speyer. “The creation of the Nike Greater China Headquarters at The Springs underscores the strength of this market and importance of this development to the Shanghai business as well as residential communities. We’re thrilled that Nike, one of the world’s great global brands and companies, will be an anchor in this development and look forward to a long-term relationship.”

Full story here.

The attendees raised more than $1.6 million for UJA-Federation’s annual campaign to address the issues that matter to them most as Jews and New Yorkers.

Jonathan L. Mechanic received the Judge Joseph M. Proskauer Award, presented by Robert Speyer, president and co-CEO of Tishman Speyer Properties.

The Proskauer Award is UJA-Federation’s most prestigious award given to a member of the legal community. Since 1959, this honor has been given annually to an individual who is committed to philanthropy and whose conduct and service exemplify the highest ideals of the law. In addition to Mechanic’s professional achievements, he is a longtime supporter and contributor to UJA-Federation of New York. He is the first real estate lawyer to receive this honor.

The event did include hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and a dessert reception and after-hours party hosted by the Lawyers Division’s Emerging Leaders & Philanthropist.

This year’s tree is believed to be about 75-years-old, according to a statement released this month by Rockefeller Center. It weighs in at 12 tons and measures about 40 feet around.

This year’s tree is believed to be about 75-years-old, according to a statement released this month by Rockefeller Center. It weighs in at 12 tons and measures about 40 feet around.

It was cut down in Mifflinville, Pennsylvania and is decorated with 5 miles of lights.

The lights will be on until January 7, after which the Christmas tree will be turned into lumber for the housing charity Habitat for Humanity.

Paris, France (PRWEB) August 10, 2011 – Tishman Speyer today announced the largest lease transaction ever completed in the city of Paris. The French Ministry of the Interior has agreed to lease 38,000 square meters – approximately 400,000 square feet — at Lumière, which is the largest privately owned office building in Paris. The Ministry is expected to take occupancy in late 2012.

The property is owned within Tishman Speyer’s European Strategic Office Fund (ESOF), which controls office assets in several major European cities. With this new transaction, the occupancy rate of Tishman Speyer’s entire 10-building Paris portfolio, totaling approximately 350.000 square meters (3.75 million square feet), is nearly 100 percent.

Lumière is located at 40, avenue des Terroirs de France in the 12th District, close to the 14 hectares park of Bercy. The area, part of the Eastern business district of Paris, is an established office market with excellent road and metro access, allowing access to the center of the city in 10 minutes. Built in 1992, the property consists of seven floors above the two-story lobby level, branched into two wings from an impressive atrium. Each wing has a separately configured building at each end. Existing tenants include Natixis, SNCF, ING Direct, and Société Générale. The Ministry’s space will include a private auditorium and a nursery.

“Over the past 14 years, we have been able to develop and acquire many of the best office properties in the best locations in major European cities,” said Tishman Speyer Co-CEOs Jerry Speyer and Rob Speyer. “By building such a portfolio and managing it well, we are able to attract the highest quality tenants, as evidenced by this transaction.”

Senior Managing Director Michael Spies, head of the firm’s European operations, added,
“Lumière has proven to be an ideal investment for our European Strategic Office Fund, and our local team has done a fantastic job in managing this asset to its full potential. Given its local prominence and superb location in the Paris office market, we anticipate that the property will continue to benefit from strong tenant demand.”

“Especially considering the current challenges in the marketplace, we are very pleased that Lumiere is now fully leased with high-credit quality tenants,” said Bernard Penaud, senior managing director and head of Tishman Speyer’s operations in France. “The Ministry is a great addition, and we look forward to serving its office needs going forward.”

About Tishman Speyer (http://www.tishmanspeyer.com)

Tishman Speyer is one of the leading developers, owners, operators, and asset managers of first class real estate worldwide. Active across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia, many of the world’s most prestigious corporations rely on Tishman Speyer to meet their office space needs. Since its founding in 1978, the firm has acquired, developed and/ or managed a portfolio of over 116 million sq. ft. valued at over USD $50.2 billion. Signature assets include New York’s Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Center, Frankfurt’s MesseTurm and Opernturm, Sao Paulo’s Torre Norte, and Ventura Corporate Towers in Rio de Janeiro. Tishman Speyer has projects in different stages of development in Shanghai, Chengdu and Tianjin.

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NEW YORK, N.Y. (April,1 2011) – Tonight, Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, will kick-off its 2nd annual Light It Up Blue (LIUB) campaign – a unique global initiative to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day and help raise funds and awareness of autism as a growing public health crisis.

More than 1000 structures in over 180 U.S. cities and 30 countries will join Autism Speaks to shine a bright light on autism. Iconic landmarks around the world – including the Empire State Building and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, the Willis Tower in Chicago, Universal Studios in Hollywood and Orlando, STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, along with the Niagara Falls and CN Tower in Canada, Gano Bhabon, the Official Residence of the Prime Minister and hundreds of other buildings in Bangladesh, Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil and the Sydney Opera House in Australia – as well as airports, bridges, museums, concert halls, schools/universities, restaurants, and retail stores, will light up in bright blue this evening to help kick off Autism Awareness Month and celebrate World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

The public can actively participate in LIUB by supporting the campaign virtually with the launch of a free Light It Up Blue iPhone App and new Build a Blue Website. The LIUB app is available at the iTunes Store and allows users to become part of this global initiative by turning their own pictures blue with a choice of five different style frames. Users are encouraged to upload the photos to the live stream on LightItUpBlue.org. In an effort to help raise much needed funds for research, participants can also Build a Blue Website and ask friends and family to support Autism Speaks by making a donation to their personal page.

To coincide with the campaign, Autism Speaks launched a new 30 second PSA starring 5th graders from Pelham, N.Y., singing an original song composed by one of their classmates for LIUB. The PSA debuted the week of March 21 on broadcast and cable television and SiriusXM satellite radio and is live on AutismSpeaks.org. As part of its ongoing, award-winning public service ad campaign, to promote autism awareness and encourage participation in the LIUB initiative, Autism Speaks has once again produced web banners that can be downloaded for free.

Individuals interested in finding fun and creative ways to participate in LIUB should visit LightItUpBlue.org. The website provides a number of ideas from hosting autism-themed gatherings to viewings of autism-themed films and TV programs to wearing the Autism Speaks puzzle piece pin or by purchasing specially marked blue light bulbs and LED lanterns sold exclusively at Home Depot to light the exterior of your house. The site also accepts donations to fund autism awareness and research efforts.

“We are very grateful to these landmark buildings, and dedicated corporate, retail and media partners for illuminating blue tonight to support World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month,” says Suzanne Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks. “Tonight, our message of autism awareness will certainly reach millions of people around the world as we light the skies like a beacon of hope for all those affected by this public health crisis.”

The following Autism Speaks corporate and retail partners will Light It Up Blue by raising autism awareness in stores starting on April 1 and 2:

Toys“R”Us
Build-A-Bear
Dollar General
etnies
FelCor Lodging Trust
Gaylord Hotels
LAMAR Digital Media
Lindt
The Home Depot
White Castle
Zappos
Zale Corporation
Bergdorf Goodman
Bloomingdale’s
Coldwater Creek
Elizabeth Arden
Lord & Taylor
Neiman Marcus
Nest Fragrances
Ralph Lauren
Scentsy
The NBC Experience Store
T.J. Maxx
Walgreens

About Autism
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $160 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks’ Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, which Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light it Up Blue initiative. Also, Autism Speaks award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council has received over $258 million in donated media. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments in 24 states thus far, with bills pending in an additional 12 states. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About the Co-Founders
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and Chairman and CEO of the Palm Beach Civic Association. He served as Vice Chairman of General Electric; and as the Chief Executive Officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, Mission Product, LLC and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright is a Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. Suzanne has received numerous awards, the Women of Distinction Award from Palm Beach Atlantic University, the CHILD Magazine Children’s Champions Award, Luella Bennack Volunteer Award, Spirit of Achievement award by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s National Women’s Division and The Women of Vision Award from the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 Heroes and Pioneers category, a list of the most influential people in the world, for their commitment to global autism advocacy. They have also received numerous awards such as the first ever Double Helix Award for Corporate Leadership, NYU Child Advocacy Award, Castle Connolly National Health Leadership Award and The American Ireland Fund Humanitarian Award. In May of 2010 they received Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degrees from St. John’s University in Queens and delivered the commencement address as the first married couple to be bestowed such an honor.

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DATE: Sunday, February 27, 2011
TIME: 6:00 to 10 a.m.
PLACE: Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City
REGISTRATION: Visit www.climbMSnyc.org, call 212-463-9791 or e-mail climbms@msnyc.org.

2011 Climb to the Top Sponsors
Competitor Magazine, Crystal Geyser, D’Agostino, Financial Times, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, New York Sports Clubs, Oasis Day Spa, Pop Chips, Raw Revolution, Tishman Speyer, Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck.

About the New York City – Southern New York Chapter
The New York City – Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society is committed to helping the 10,000 people living with multiple sclerosis in the five boroughs and Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties continue moving their lives forward. The chapter raises funds locally to support the Society’s critical research initiatives and to provide hundreds of comprehensive support services and educational programs for people living with MS, their family and friends. Visit www.MSnyc.org for more information.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t by helping each person address the challenges of living with MS. In 2009 alone, through its national office and 50 state network of chapters, the Society devoted more than $132 million to programs that enhanced more than one million lives. To move closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested nearly $36 million to support 375 research projects around the world.
Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. To learn about the options, individuals should talk to their health care professionals and contact the National MS Society at www.nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867 (1-800-FIGHT-MS).

About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and it stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

About Top of the Rock™
Situated in midtown Manhattan, Top of the Rock ™ provides visitors with an opportunity to appreciate the architecture of Rockefeller Center and its significance to the growth of New York City. Tishman Speyer, co-owners of Rockefeller Center, is committed to the preservation and restoration of Rockefeller Center, which is the site of numerous public exhibits and events, including annual installations of public art and live broadcast of sports championships. Each day an estimated 350,000 people walk through the Rockefeller Plaza complex, which is home to the world’s most famous Christmas Tree. Visit www.topoftherocknyc.com or www.rockefellercenter.com for more information.

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