Contact: Sunny Mindel/Brenda Pérez (212) 788-2958
Also in attendance were: Arthur Bocchi, Senior Managing Director of Sumitono Realty and Development Co.; and John Tishman, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Tishman Realty and Construction Co., who was presented with 666 Fifth Avenue's signage. Mr. Tishman presided over the building's original construction and opening in 1958.
"This re-dedication of 666 Fifth Avenue is a testament to the revitalization of New York City," the Mayor said. "The investment made here reflects supreme confidence not only in the future of Fifth Avenue but in all of New York City. I am gratified that Sumitono Realty and Development are as confident in the future of New York City as I am."
President of Sumitono Realty and Development Co. Tatsuru Kono said, "All of us at Sumitono Realty know that in 666 Fifth Avenue we are more than the owners of a building. We are the trustees of a legacy - a very special legacy for us, for our tenants and for the people of New York. With the renovation of 666, this address once again is recognized as a leader among great contemporary office buildings."
Under the direction of architect Nobutaka Ashijara, the renovation of 666 Fifth Avenue, included: the hand cleaning of the exterior fa‡ade; reconfiguring the subway station beneath the building; refurbishing of granite elevators; installing of a state of the art security and communications system and preserving two classic Noguchi sculptures - "Landscape in the Clouds" and "Waterfall" - in their original lobby site.
The 666 Fifth Avenue features a total of 78,000 square feet of retail space and 1.2 million square feet of office space. Its tenants include some of the world's most prestigious names in banking, financial management, law, insurance, construction, communications and publishing.