PR86847

NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

In its first year of submission to GRESB, Empire State Realty Trust (NYSE:

ESRT) earned the highest possible GRESB 5 Star Rating and Green Star

recognition, and score of 88, in the 2020 GRESB Real Estate Assessment, an

achievement that places ESRT in the top 20% of all respondents.

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"ESRT to date has never submitted its work on Energy Efficiency,

Sustainability, and Indoor Environmental Quality.  To achieve this result in

our first year is a testament to our more than a decade of work and the

leadership of Dana Robbins Schneider, our SVP, Energy and Sustainability and

Director of ESG," said Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman, President, and CEO.

GRESB is recognized globally as a rigorous standard widely recognized as one of

the best measures of sustainability performance of real estate companies and

funds. This recognition and inclusion in the top five of one of the most

competitive GRESB peer groups in the United States demonstrates ESRT's industry

leadership and innovative approach to environmental, social, and governance

practices (ESG) in the real estate industry.  

ESRT is proud to rank approximately 10 points higher than our peer group

average and almost 20 points higher than the global GRESB Average in its first

year of submission. ESRT achieved an A rating, which is the highest possible

score on GRESB Public Disclosure. GRESB Public Disclosure evaluates performance

of over 450 listed property companies and REITs and evaluates indicators

aligned with the GRESB Real Estate Assessment.

Empire State Realty Trust's portfolio is comprised of over 10.1 million square

feet, which includes the iconic, global landmark, the Empire State Building.

This achievement validates ESRT's commitment to sustainability and proven

performance in energy, water, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. ESRT is also

the first portfolio in the US to earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating, a science

and evidence-based validation that ESRT has implemented the highest standard of

health and safety measures. The rating aligns with ESRT's commitment to Indoor

Environment Quality and intensive proactive response to the global pandemic.

ESRT has publicly announced sustainability goals and is the most

energy-efficient REIT in New York City.

Each year GRESB assesses and benchmarks the ESG performance of real assets

worldwide. The GRESB Assessments are guided by what investors and the industry

consider to be material issues in the sustainability performance of real asset

investments and are aligned with international reports on frameworks, goals,

and emergent regulations.

"To achieve a GRESB 5 Star designation in the first submission year, while

extremely rare, is exactly where I expected to find Empire State Realty Trust,"

remarked Dan Winters GRESB Head of Americas. "Their leadership, thoughtful

approach to energy efficiency and environmental-friendly outcomes put the firm

at the top of the 2020 global benchmark."  

"Sustainability is ingrained into who we are and what we do every day. We

leverage our embedded sustainability expertise and engagement in the industry

to define sustainability in real estate. As leaders in ESG, our practices drive

our company's strategy and deliver long-term value for our investors,

shareholders, tenants, employees, and the communities where we live and work.  

ESRT is part of the fabric of New York City, and is committed to the

integration of impactful ESG practices in every aspect of our business," said

Dana Robbins Schneider, SVP of Energy and Sustainability and Director of ESG.

About Empire State Realty Trust  

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) owns, manages, operates, acquires

and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New

York metropolitan area, including the Empire State Building, the "World's Most

Famous Building." ESRT is a leader in energy efficiency in the built

environment and sustainability, and is the first commercial real estate

portfolio in the U.S. to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating, an

evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all facility types, focused on

operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency plans and stakeholder

education to address a COVID-19 environment now and broader health and

safety-related issues into the future. The Company's office and retail

portfolio covers 10.1 million rentable square feet, as of  September 30, 2020,

consisting of 9.4 million rentable square feet in 14 office properties, including nine

in Manhattan, three in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and two in Westchester County,

New York; and approximately 700,000 rentable square feet in the retail portfolio.

About GRESB

GRESB is a mission-driven and investor-led organization providing standardized

and validated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data to the capital

markets. Established in 2009, GRESB has become the leading ESG benchmark for

real estate and infrastructure investments across the world. In 2020 alone,

more than 1,200 real estate portfolios reported to GRESB covering more than

96,000 assets. Our coverage for infrastructure includes more than 540

infrastructure portfolios and assets. Combined, the reported assets represent

US $5.3 trillion AUM. The data is used by more than 100 institutional and

financial investors to monitor investments across portfolios and navigate the

strategic choices needed for the industry to transition to a more sustainable future.

SOURCE: Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

CONTACT: Bianca Pappas, 212-736-3100, bpappas@empirestaterealtytrust.com