The Durst Organization Receives Global Green Award
For ‘Sustainable Design’ of The Helena Residential Tower

NEW YORK CITY, October 14 – Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev and Global Green USA recently presented The Global Green Design Award to The Durst Organization, in recognition of the firm’s innovative environmental design and construction of The Helena, a 37-story residential tower with 597 rental units opening in 2005.

The award, which was accepted by Helena Rose Durst, was made at Global Green’s fifth annual New York Gala Awards, on Monday, October 11, at Gotham Hall in Manhattan.

The Helena, at 601 West 57th Street (at 11th Avenue), is a “landmark green” building as a result of its sustainable mechanical systems, such as an onsite system that reuses wastewater. The building will earn LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by the U.S. Green Buildings Council and is applying for a gold or silver rating.

Rose Associates, Inc., will serve as exclusive leasing agent for The Helena and also manage the building. A rental office will open in January.

Global Green USA is the American affiliate of Green Cross International, which advocates sustainable design and other pro-environment policies worldwide, including the elimination of stockpiled weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Gorbachev, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Cold War, is president of Green Cross International.

The Global Green Award is one of several major citations received by the Durst family for environmental leadership. For example, in 1999, the Natural Resources Defense Council conferred its “Forces of Nature” award on the The Durst Organization for building the first “green” office tower in New York City, Four Times Square (The Conde Nast Building).

Proceeds from Global Green’s New York Gala Awards will be used to further initiatives to combat the effects of global warming and for other environmental causes.