Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater New York

Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater New York
Name	Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater New York
Formation	19XX
Headquarters	New York City
Region served	New York metropolitan area
Leader title	President

Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater New York is a trade association representing owners, managers, developers, and service providers in the commercial real estate sector of New York City, the New York metropolitan area, and surrounding boroughs. The organization engages with city agencies, regional authorities, financial institutions, and industry partners to influence property operations, lease practices, building codes, and infrastructure planning. Members include stakeholders from landmark real estate firms, property management companies, institutional investors, and professional service firms engaged in urban development and asset management.

History

The association traces roots to early 20th-century efforts by proprietors of commercial buildings in Manhattan who coordinated with civic leaders during redevelopment phases such as the Penn Station era and the emergence of Midtown Manhattan as a business district, linking with national organizations like the Building Owners and Managers Association International and regional entities in Brooklyn and Queens. Over decades the group intersected with major projects and regulatory milestones including negotiations around Robert Moses-era planning, responses to zoning changes tied to the New York City Zoning Resolution revisions, and stakeholder engagement during events such as the World Trade Center redevelopment and infrastructure initiatives involving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The association evolved through periods of economic fluctuation tied to the Great Recession and recovery phases that involved coordination with financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs on commercial lending climate for office towers.

Organization and Leadership

The association is governed by a board composed of executives drawn from major property firms headquartered in Wall Street, Fifth Avenue corridors, and regional real estate companies with ties to institutions such as Columbia University and the New York Stock Exchange. Leadership roles have historically included presidents and chairs who previously served in leadership at entities like The Durst Organization, Silverstein Properties, and major engineering firms connected to projects at One World Trade Center and corporate campuses of firms like Bloomberg L.P. and Time Warner. The governance model incorporates committees that liaise with municipal agencies including the New York City Department of Buildings, New York City Economic Development Corporation, and labor unions such as the Service Employees International Union on workforce, safety, and compliance issues.

Membership and Chapters

Membership comprises institutional landlords, asset managers, brokerage firms, building engineers, facilities management companies, and service vendors active across boroughs including Staten Island and The Bronx. Corporate members range from listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) such as Vornado Realty Trust and SL Green Realty to boutique management firms and specialty contractors that serve landmark properties like those on Park Avenue and in Battery Park City. The association organizes local chapters and affinity groups to address regional topics in neighborhoods like Harlem, Chelsea, and Long Island City, coordinating with chambers of commerce including the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and historic preservation groups such as the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Programs and Services

Programs include benchmarking and certification initiatives aligned with standards promoted by organizations like the U.S. Green Building Council and the International WELL Building Institute, offering guidance on sustainability retrofits, indoor air quality, and energy management for assets including high-rises and mixed-use complexes. Services extend to tenant relations best practices, lease administration tools used by corporate tenants such as Citigroup and Verizon, and technical resources covering HVAC systems, elevator modernization with contractors tied to Otis Worldwide, and cybersecurity measures relevant to building automation systems employed by firms like Honeywell International Inc..

Advocacy and Public Policy

The association conducts advocacy on municipal and state legislation affecting commercial property taxation, zoning, and building codes, engaging with elected officials at New York City Council hearings, the New York State Assembly, and federal stakeholders in Washington, D.C. on matters intersecting with agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It partners with coalitions that have addressed policy issues including property tax assessment frameworks, incentives for adaptive reuse projects akin to those that transformed the Meatpacking District, and resilience planning for coastal properties in response to storm events like Hurricane Sandy. Advocacy often involves alliances with labor, finance, and urban planning organizations including Urban Land Institute and the American Institute of Architects.

Events and Education

The association hosts seminars, conferences, and trade shows that attract speakers and attendees from firms such as CBRE Group, JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle), and academic institutions like New York University and Pratt Institute. Regular programming includes continuing education for credentialing in areas related to facility management and building operations, often delivered in partnership with professional associations such as the International Facility Management Association and certification bodies tied to standards like ASHRAE technical guidance. Signature events convene stakeholders to discuss market trends, financing, and urban resilience with participation from major developers, municipal officials, and infrastructure specialists.

Awards and Publications

The association publishes market reports, benchmarking studies, and best-practice guides that reference analyses by research firms including Moody's Analytics and consulting groups such as McKinsey & Company, and issues awards recognizing excellence in property management, sustainability retrofits, and tenant services. Publications highlight case studies involving marquee properties near Times Square, the High Line, and major corporate headquarters, and the awards program has honored projects developed by industry leaders and design firms with work featured in outlets like Architectural Digest and The New York Times.

Category:Organizations based in New York City Category:Real estate industry trade groups