Joseph Bellina (’84, MBA ’89) has been the general manager of the Empire State Building since July 2009, a position unlike any other, according to the real estate veteran. “It’s rich in history and unique in terms of its operation,” he says. “For example, we have an observatory business and a broadcast business. It’s very different from what you’d have in a typical office building.” Of course the world-famous ESB is also a major tourist destination, which adds to the job’s complexity.
“Dealing with those various elements and the volume they create is a challenge,” admits Bellina, who oversees a staff of 500. “It can create a perfect storm when all the pots are boiling at the same time.”
Among the building’s many boiling pots is the ongoing $550 million Empire State Rebuilding Program, which includes the recent lobby restoration, new corridors, bathrooms, and offices plus technology upgrades. A retrofit for energy efficiency has also been under way since April 2009.
According to Bellina, “We intend to pursue LEED gold certification,” which may seem ambitious for a vintage (1931) structure. Yet the ESB was recently awarded an Energy Star rating of 90, which means it’s more energy efficient than 90 percent of all existing U.S. buildings. So it’s clearly not an impossible goal.
In April the restored lobby was honored with the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. Says Bellina, “A lot of things had been concealed over the years and have been restored back to their original Art Deco design.” For example, visitors can now view re-created ceiling murals once hidden behind a plastic covering. “It’s spectacular,” he adds proudly.
Over its nearly 80-year lifespan, the ESB has been featured in several movies, most recently Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. “They actually did a kickoff and promotion of the movie from the building itself,” says Bellina. “Pierce Brosnan and some of the other stars of the movie were here. It made for an interesting day.”
The building has been visited by other major celebrities. “We had the First Lady with the two girls and grandma here recently,” Bellina recalls. That meant “heightened security and dealing with the Secret Service for a couple of weeks.”
For most New Yorkers, the Empire State Building’s day-to-day presence is most notable for its multicolored tower lighting, which honors a variety of events. “We celebrate many different cultures and causes, and we do it for the entire world, not just New York City,” says Bellina. Lighting decisions are generally made about a month in advance via application process on the company’s website. “They’re reviewed on a rolling basis, and there’s a selection process by an anonymous committee,” Bellina clarifies. Anyone can apply to be an ESB Lighting Partner.
Though the iconic building has always been beloved by New Yorkers, it’s held an especially prominent place since 9/11, when it once again became the city’s tallest building. The Brooklyn-born and -bred Bellina understands this special regard. “The Empire State Building has been around a long time, but only a select few people have had the privilege of having their handprint on this building, as I have,” he says. “It’s a great place, it’s one of a kind. It’s a real privilege to be at the helm of everything that’s going on here, and it’s as New York as New York gets.”
—Marina Zogbi