Taconic Partners, Silverstein Properties, Jaros, Baum & Bolles (JB&B) and Perkins&Will announced the installation of electric air source heat pumps at Hudson Research Center, providing more efficient heating and cooling for the facility. The implemented technology is the first of this scale to be used for commercial laboratories in New York City, setting a new standard for sustainable practices in commercial lab spaces, the companies said.
To meet the requirements of NYC’s Local Law 97 and satisfy the developers’ commitments to energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives, the group implemented advanced decarbonization strategies for the building and its systems. On the property’s rooftop, new air source heat pumps will utilize electricity to heat the building, rather than burning fossil fuels. Coupled with low temperature hot water design, the air source heat pumps open opportunities for advanced heat recovery and reduce the building’s overall energy consumption.
“As we continue to grow and shape New York City’s life sciences landscape, we’re dedicated to our energy efficiency initiatives and exceeding standards for sustainability,” said Matthew Weir, executive vice president at Taconic Partners. “We’re proud Hudson Research Center is the city’s first property to implement technology of this size. The step not only supports a more energy-efficient future, but it’s another attractive feature for large-scale lab tenants considering relocation to New York City.”
“With the speed that technology and innovation advance, we understand the importance of adapting our building to meet our tenants’ needs,” said AJ Arlauckas, vice president of asset management at Silverstein Properties. “At Hudson Research Center, we are committed to supporting energy efficiency practices and providing technology to support our life science tenants in the important work that they do.”
“As the largest ASHP currently installed in all of New York City and the first of this scale used for commercial laboratories, the ASHPs’ utilization of electricity to heat buildings, opposed to burning fossil fuels, further extends to the conservation of water, exceeding what is possible with a traditional water-cooled chiller plant,” noted Anthony M. Montalto, partner, JB&B, MEP engineers for the project. “In a city known for its firsts, this raises the bar on how technology, science and design can positively impact commercial laboratory design while supporting a sustainable future.”
“The convergence of a growing life science market and an appropriately more aggressive carbon reduction strategy in NYC has made the need to look at newer technologies and infrastructure integration a logical and progressive effort,” said Perkins & Will’s Matt Malone. “To do this at a facility like the Hudson Research Center, which is inherently taking a reduced embodied carbon path reusing the existing building, is marrying two excellent approaches to help change the view of lab buildings as environmentally burdensome and put this facility and the Taconic/Silverstein team at the forefront of what should be done.”
Located at 619 West 54th St., The Hudson Research Center is a 320,000-square-foot, mixed-use hub for innovation in New York City’s growing life sciences sector. The property continues to attract top industry players, such as c16 Biosciences, Hibercell and the New York Stem Cell Foundation. Taconic Partners and Silverstein Properties are currently repositioning three floors of the property from office to wet laboratory.
