Conde Nast Building (4 Times Square)

[scottie]

I have just been looking at the Wired New York Web Camera 3. This building looks like a beacon towering over the city of New York. Its amazing just how bright the sign is on top compared to all the other lights in New York.

cheers

[michelle1]

Did anyone else see the awesome video ads on Conde Nast last night, if not, than you have to see it. It's unbelievable.

[lofter1]

^^ Any specific time that they show those ads?

[michelle1]

Night time. I've been watching Coke, Nike, IPod, Qantas ads from Henry Hudson Parkway. I think it was around 10pm.

[perth guy]

Hi Michelle1,

As one of the "guys from downunder" thanks for all the updates on 4TS.

There are a quite a few of us very interested in this Aussie technology that is being tried on the Conde Nast tower and read this forum on a regular basis, so any updates as to what you are seeing over are greatly appreciated.

I realise this isnt a forum designed to talk about Aussie technology companies and therefore wont post too often but the company are terrible at letting us know what is going on in the U.S.

Your comments are often relayed on hotcopper.com.au

Thanks from Aus.

[kliq6]

only problem is this building is not big enough, conde naste has already outgrown it and needs more space or jobs will be lost to Jersey

[BrooklynRider]

Or BoA next door - or 8th & 42nd - or NYT

[Chartdoctor]

Recently Pamela Thompson of Lamar Outdoor Advertising is responsible to fast track the Advertising on the Conde nast building,initially this is for a 6 month period.
She will also enquire with other outdoor media agents for other potential sites in North America.

[michelle1]

Live Web Cam! brings you closer to 4TS http://www.wirednewyork.com/webcam3/

[Edward]

Conde Nast building (http://www.wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/4xsq/) - the view from Top of the Rock - observation deck atop GE building in Rockefeller Center.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/4xsq/images/conde_nast_ge_deck.jpg (http://www.wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/4xsq/)

[millertime83]

What do so many people on here have against buildings being built in NJ? For instance the angle of that last pic has Hoboken and Jersey City in the background. . . Skyscrapers on that side of the Hudson compliment the NYC skyline as well.

Does the Goldman Sachs building (30 Hudson St) really intimidate people that much? I'm all for skyscrapers on both sides of the Hudson, and I'm glad they're building the 2 new 50 and 55 story Trump Towers in Newport, Jersey City.

http://www.therealdeal.net//breaking_news/2005/09/22/images/1127422042.jpg

[lofter1]

I have no problem wiht GOOD skyscrapers being built along the Jersey side of the Hudson...

But the 2 Trump stumps are not so nice to look at :mad:

[macreator]

I have a problem with crappy architecture which, for the most part except for the Goldman Sachs building, seems to have taken over the Jersey City skyline.

That trend seems to continue with those new Trump buildings that aren't just ugly, but tall and ugly which is not a good combo. And don't worry, I'm not hypocritical, I hate Trump Place on the other side of the Hudson just as much.

[antinimby]

Ah . . . now getting back to 4TS.
Do you think Durst should put up another LED billboard on the north-facing side, now that he's got a daily audience on the Top of the Rock? See photo in previous post # 261 if you don't know what I mean.
I say he should.

[michelle1]

Conde Nast building (http://www.wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/4xsq/) - the view from Top of the Rock - observation deck atop GE building in Rockefeller Center.


When the observation deck atop of GE was reopened to the public?

[Edward]

http://www.wirednewyork.com/ - Read from the top

[alonzo-ny]

Why exactly is it a stupid idea

[TLOZ Link5]

What is the point of having a television screen hundreds of feet up in the air?

It's called advertising. A lot of people will see it :p

[TLOZ Link5]

I know that point, and thats just a stupid one.

Well, by that logic, why have a giant NASDAQ LED display at the base? In fact, why have lights at all?

[michelle1]

I know that point, and thats just a stupid one.
Outdoor advertising can trace its lineage back to the earliest civilizations. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptians employed a tall stone obelisk to publicize laws and treaties. While formats have certainly changed and as advertising ideas have evolved, outdoor is still here and instead of obelisk we are using lights.
Can imagine New York being without outdoor

[vc10]

For that matter, a city is bad for the environment---it just is. We've paved over almost the entire of Manhattan island---it's an ecological disaster.

Bright lights are fundamental to New York city, just as they are to Las Vegas. Yes, it's bad for the environment, but I'll betcha most people think that's a tradeoff they're willing to make.

The idea is not stupid because it can make them money, the idea is stupid because it is not neutral to the environment, it is very very bad for it. Dont even try to justify this thing by saying it is not bad for the environment. If you do, then you are just lying.

[ZippyTheChimp]

Dense cities are bad for the environment they occupy, but are good for the global environment.

Rural sprawl has a much greater impact.

BTW, if I was spending money on advertising, I would forego the premium of a display at the top of Conde Nast, and put my bucks closer to the ground. Having observed it for a while, I just don't think it has the impact to justify the cost. The building needed something though. Any sort of graphic display would work.

[LeCom]

Did you see the sign from New Jersey? In one hand, it takes the city into those space-age futuristic movies, but on the other it's as distracting as a giant TV placed on top of a skyscraper (which it is). It's a ****ing skyline. I didn't come to the Hudson River to watch some advertisements.

[salty]

Dense cities are bad for the environment they occupy, but are good for the global environment.

Rural sprawl has a much greater impact.

BTW, if I was spending money on advertising, I would forego the premium of a display at the top of Conde Nast, and put my bucks closer to the ground. Having observed it for a while, I just don't think it has the impact to justify the cost. The building needed something though. Any sort of graphic display would work.

Well I'm not sure there is a premium for advertising on the top of the building. They are reportedly asking only $1.5mill per year. Also, a newspaper article earlier this year, indicated there was no available advertising space left in Times Square until around 2010. I'm questioning whether advertisers want 24 hr video, or whether they will be satisfied with a part-time video sign at night, hence the delays with finding an advertiser.

[BrooklynRider]

There's PLENTY of advertising space in Times Square. Seems you might have bought someone's sale pitch. One Times Square is nearly devoid of ads except for the reliable UPS. E-Walk's corner has been barren for over 6 months. Ratner can get advertisers for the fron to his AMC / Hilton development. Reuters has yet to get one ad up on the westward ad punchouts on its building. Ads space is available and EMPTY in Times Square and on 42nd Street. It's kind of sad. They most recent hey-day of Times Square advertising was pre-bubble burst days of the dot-com boom. It's never equaled that level since. Also 34th Street and Houston have competed for some major advertisers. Lafayette & Houston has had better, more interesting stuff than anything in Times Square for years, starting with the Yahoo ads.

[michelle1]

Dense cities are bad for the environment they occupy, but are good for the global environment.

Rural sprawl has a much greater impact.

BTW, if I was spending money on advertising, I would forego the premium of a display at the top of Conde Nast, and put my bucks closer to the ground. Having observed it for a while, I just don't think it has the impact to justify the cost. The building needed something though. Any sort of graphic display would work.
I thought it's good to have something on top of the building, it's a bit boring to have all billboards on the ground

[millertime83]

What is the point of having a television screen hundreds of feet up in the air?

if you're talking about the one that's Lion King during day and varies during the night, I think it's quite effective. I see it everyday from across the River.

[lofter1]

^^ I can only imagine the uproar / outrage from Manhattanites if a similar screen were to be placed on top of a tower on the Jersey side of the Hudson.

[ZippyTheChimp]

Graphics such as the Lion King are fine, but this is advertising space, and if the Wyeth Company is willing to lease, you're going to see Preparation H ads up there (no pun intended).

The night skyline could use more drama, but I'd hate to see it turn into tacky adspace.

[antinimby]

It looks like 4TS's top has gone dark. :(

[perth guy]

The company that runs the sign from Australia just had their AGM and said that they were giving the "A" class advertisers a few free nights each to trial the sign.
If its gone dark, maybe one of two things.
They are currently signing up a long term advertiser and dont need to show anyone elses logo or they have run out of people interested.
Keep us informed downunder of whats running there in N.Y. if you can,
Thanks

[michelle1]

The company that runs the sign from Australia just had their AGM and said that they were giving the "A" class advertisers a few free nights each to trial the sign.
If its gone dark, maybe one of two things.
They are currently signing up a long term advertiser and dont need to show anyone elses logo or they have run out of people interested.
Keep us informed downunder of whats running there in N.Y. if you can,
Thanks
no problem

[antinimby]

Ads started to flash again tonight. :)

[michelle1]

The company that runs the sign from Australia just had their AGM and said that they were giving the "A" class advertisers a few free nights each to trial the sign.
If its gone dark, maybe one of two things.
They are currently signing up a long term advertiser and dont need to show anyone elses logo or they have run out of people interested.
Keep us informed downunder of whats running there in N.Y. if you can,
Thanks
It's bright again "A" class ad? Yeah, American flag-vawing!

[salty]

The Lumacom 4TS sign was switched off for a short duration, about 2 weeks, for maintenance. Apparently some booster boxes were upgraded and this was performed by Spectrum Signs, the original installers of the sign. This was the first maintenance on the sign since installation began late last year.

[michelle1]

The company that runs the sign from Australia just had their AGM and said that they were giving the "A" class advertisers a few free nights each to trial the sign.
If its gone dark, maybe one of two things.
They are currently signing up a long term advertiser and dont need to show anyone elses logo or they have run out of people interested.
Keep us informed downunder of whats running there in N.Y. if you can,
Thanks
"A" class advertiser B of A is back again

[LeCom]

So, if the B of A ad continues to run for a while, it would be like B of A is making 4TS its complete bitch, not only overpowered by the tower behind it but also having to display its logo.

[antinimby]

Not really.
Both buildings owned by the same company, Durst.

[perth guy]

Thanks for all the updates on the sign. When you say B / A are you talking about Bank of America ?
I hear that they will soon announce a full time presence on 4 T.S.

[antinimby]

Thanks for all the updates on the sign. When you say B / A are you talking about Bank of America ?
I hear that they will soon announce a full time presence on 4 T.S.Yes, they are talking about Bank of America, the main occupant of the future 1 Bryant Park next door.

[michelle1]

The base of the antenna structure is lit up, fantastic addition to the skyline.

[antinimby]

4TS has such an important presence at that very crucial corner and has become such an integral part of Times Square. I'd say that this building is a huge success. Only regret? Should've made it taller. Heard somewhere that Conde Nast has already outgrown their space.

[michelle1]

Have you seen it guys? The crown of Conde Nast is on fire, an additional lit base of the antenna makes another huge improvement to the New York skyline.
What do you think New Jerseyans?

[perth guy]

Can anyone post some night time pics, the web cam doesn't do it justice.
Merry Xmas from Aus.

[antinimby]

Can anyone post some night time pics, the web cam doesn't do it justice.
Merry Xmas from Aus.Check your private messages.

[evil_synth]

Here's a pic I snagged today from street level looking up:
http://ionicdomain.com/images/nyc/Picture%20012.jpg

[Kris]

March 20, 2006
The View From There: Beautiful and Doomed
By JOSEPH BERGER

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/03/20/nyregion/20conde.large1.jpg
Workers in the offices of The New Yorker in the Condé Nast Building have enjoyed their view east, but won't for much longer; a 54-story tower is rising next door.

Day by dispiriting day, senior writers and editors at The New Yorker, Vanity Fair and other Condé Nast magazines and top lawyers at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom are watching one of the perks of their Manhattan careers getting slowly gobbled up — the view.

Like most New Yorkers, they live with the knowledge that a view in Manhattan is a perishable commodity, but for them the time left is achingly short.

A 54-story tower for the Bank of America is rising floor by inexorable floor next to their daytime home — the 48-story Condé Nast Building, at 42nd Street and Broadway. Right now the bank structure is just a monkey-bars of steel beams,a half-dozen floors at best. But over the next year or two, employees on the eastern side of Condé Nast will find themselves staring right into the face of a glass and aluminum office building and its honeycomb of worker bees.

"I'm on the 21st floor, and I have a beautiful view of Bryant Park and the library and a little corner of the Chrysler Building and the Pan Am Building, now the MetLife, and I get tons of sun," said Jeffrey Toobin, a staff writer for The New Yorker. "Soon it's going to be a view of some law firm associate doing his work. My view will be entirely swallowed."

Bruce Handy, a senior articles editor at Vanity Fair, who grew up among the sweeping vistas of California, had been delighted with the cinemascopic views out of his 22nd-floor office. "There'll be a little less uplift for the soul," he lamented.

The loss of views is an archetypal New York story. Except for residents lucky enough to be on Central Park or the Hudson or East Rivers, every Manhattanite understands that sunlight and views are fleeting on a restless island whose anatomy is forever shifting.

As it was going up in the late 1990's, the Condé Nast building also broke its share of hearts. With a real estate market that barely seems to pause for breath, a taller building — usually residential these days — is always threatening to rise somewhere and eclipse someone's views.

But the fact that it is an old story is no consolation to those who suffer another narrowing in an already constricted island. Mark Singer, a colleague of Mr. Toobin's at The New Yorker, knows this in spades. New construction is rising not only at his workplace, but also near his home on the Upper East Side.

"We all live in various states of denials, so until the view is gone, you don't quite appreciate what's going to be missing," he said.

That perspective was echoed by David Friend, the editor of creative development at Vanity Fair, whose office is on the 22nd floor. "We're so busy that we take the view for granted sometimes, and it's like the old Joni Mitchell song, 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone,' " he said.

The developer Douglas Durst, who completed Condé Nast seven years ago and expects to complete the Bank of America building in 2008, told the tenants that above the seventh floor the bank tower would be set back 200 feet, greater than the distance across Avenue of the Americas or 42nd Street. Moreover, he said, the tower curves as it rises, allowing more sunlight to penetrate.

"We angled the building so that light will get through," he said. "And they're not going to have views directly east, but they'll still have views from the building."

Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, pointed out that Manhattan is an island of skyscrapers partly because people want phenomenal views. But he said the loss of views caused by a single building was balanced by the thousands of jobs created for office occupants and by the taxes those employees would pay.

"Someone will have lost something, but on the other hand the city has gained," he said.

Right now, top lawyers at Skadden, Arps on the upper floors have views that embrace everything from the Triborough Bridge to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and that bespeak the power of a firm with 1,750 lawyers. While the views of Condé Nast employees may not be as breathtaking, they have the urban charm of elegant buildings framing a small park mixed in with a touch of street razzle-dazzle, charm any writer can appreciate.

The loss of views is not without its entertainments. East-facing tenants have been watching a mesmerizing, sometimes heart-stopping show: three construction cranes performing a ballet of swiveling, swaying, soaring grappling hooks.

"The hook of the crane comes so close to my window that I'm convinced it's going to break through and drag me to my death," said Mr. Toobin, who is best known for his calm and measured analyses of the nation's biggest legal contests. "It's so close you could read an index card placed on the hooks."

Perri Dorset, director of public relations for The New Yorker, said she has had a front-row seat on a New York extravaganza usually shielded from passers-by by high fences.

"I'm living in this concrete jungle and you see buildings being built all the time, but it was pretty amazing to see how a foundation is put together," she said.

She and Mr. Toobin also know that this is a temporary treat that will disappear with the poignant eclipse of their precious views. Yet they greet the problem with a New Yorker's fatalism.

"It's going to be unbelievably depressing to lose our views and light, but in New York it comes with the territory," Ms. Dorset said. "I've been lucky to have the view I've had."

Mr. Toobin said, "It's unseemly to complain about this kind of thing because it's how Manhattan life works.

"I don't have a conventionally beautiful view," he went on. "I don't overlook water or famous buildings. But it's a perfect New York cityscape of buildings of different sizes with plenty of sky, and I'll be sorry to see it go."

Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company


One Bryant Park (Bank of America) (http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3548)

[ablarc]

"It's going to be unbelievably depressing to lose our views and light, but in New York it comes with the territory," Ms. Dorset said. "I've been lucky to have the view I've had."

Mr. Toobin said, "It's unseemly to complain about this kind of thing because it's how Manhattan life works."
That's right. NIMBYs, take note.

There is no right to a preserved view. Though it may be painful, that claim should be dismissed out of hand.

The city's needs are much greater and must come first.

[salty]

It was ann. last Friday that the Durst Corporation have purchased the 270 square foot video LED off Lumacom. Lumacom were no longer able to afford to continue to pay the licence fee to Durst while not having a paying advertiser on the sign.
The question remains - why couldn't Lumacom find a paying advertiser for the sign?

[BrooklynRider]

Maybe Durst will launch a new "National Debt Clock." The old one is so out of the way and lacks visibility. God knows the new one will be ticking for decades.

[krulltime]

It was ann. last Friday that the Durst Corporation have purchased the 270 square foot video LED off Lumacom. Lumacom were no longer able to afford to continue to pay the licence fee to Durst while not having a paying advertiser on the sign.
The question remains - why couldn't Lumacom find a paying advertiser for the sign?


If they do, just imagine the LED sign that will be facing the BOA tower. That one won't do so well in the end.

[lofter1]

Funny you should mention that ...

An article in last week's NY times (March 24, 2006) stated that Durst's Debt Clock will soon be unable to accurately track the debt as the current clock has insufficient space to display the debt numbers once it crosses the line into the TEN TRILLION area (a line which will soon be reached).

Article here (but only via TimesSelect):

We Will Bury You, in Debt

By CLYDE HABERMAN
NY Times
March 24, 2006

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/tsc.html?URI=http://select.nytimes.com/2006/03/24/nyregion/24nyc.html&OQ=_rQ3D1&OP=3a085885Q2FjQ2AQ5CQ7DjQ3CiQ3FCCQ3CjQ22GGQ27jGNj Q22Q3DjQ5DxQ3FQ5C-hCQ5DjQ22Q3DQ5DxMQ5BDQ3CuP

The nonstop message is: Be afraid, be very afraid. Not much has changed since the cold war...

[ZippyTheChimp]

The question remains - why couldn't Lumacom find a paying advertiser for the sign?I may have stated it somewhere in this thread, but my impression with the sign is that there is more bang-for-the-buck impact for an advertiser at Times Square closer to the ground.

Whenever I saw it, I thought more Conde Naste than Disney.

[TLOZ Link5]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/03/20/nyregion/20conde.large1.jpg
Workers in the offices of The New Yorker in the Condé Nast Building have enjoyed their view east, but won't for much longer; a 54-story tower is rising next door.

If hoodies are considered appropriate attire for that guy's job, please do sign me up. :D

[ZippyTheChimp]

Maybe he's the Poland Spring guy.

[michelle1]

It was ann. last Friday that the Durst Corporation have purchased the 270 square foot video LED off Lumacom. Lumacom were no longer able to afford to continue to pay the licence fee to Durst while not having a paying advertiser on the sign.
The question remains - why couldn't Lumacom find a paying advertiser for the sign?

I have no doubt that Durst was preventing advertisers, he has enough power and is in a good enough position to have so much influence on other companies. Probably made them all some other deal if they held off and waited for him to take control of the sign.

[lofter1]

The east-facing screen will now face directly onto the west-facing upper floors of the B/A tower ...

Perhaps B/A can use the screen for motivational purposes.

Any suggestions?

[ddjiii]

The east-facing screen will now face directly onto the west-facing upper floors of the B/A tower ...

Perhaps B/A can use the screen for motivational purposes.

Any suggestions?

Yeah, like "If youse guys don't shape up, we'll turn on The Sign."

("No, not the sign!!!")

[lofter1]

Funny you should mention that ...

An article in last week's NY times (March 24, 2006) stated that Durst's Debt Clock will soon be unable to accurately track the debt ...

NYTimes (http://select.nytimes.com/gst/tsc.html?URI=http://select.nytimes.com/2006/03/24/nyregion/24nyc.html&OQ=_rQ3D1&OP=3a085885Q2FjQ2AQ5CQ7DjQ3CiQ3FCCQ3CjQ22GGQ27jGNj Q22Q3DjQ5DxQ3FQ5C-hCQ5DjQ22Q3DQ5DxMQ5BDQ3CuP)
The national debt clock will break under Dear Leader

Pam's (http://www.pamspaulding.com/weblog/2006/03/national-debt-clock-will-break-under.html) House Blend
March 29, 2006

http://www.pamspaulding.com/graphics/bushbreaksit.jpg
Mon Mar 27, 8:58 AM ET. (AFP/File/Stan Honda)

The national debt clock in New York, shows the total US government debt (top) and the calculated amount per family. The clock does not have enough digits to show the debt when it reaches the ten trillion dollar mark, which is expected in the next couple of years.


http://www.pamspaulding.com/graphics/P1010012.jpg

Debt clock pic taken around 4:30 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2005 -- when Kate and I were last in NYC (http://www.pamspaulding.com/weblog/2005/07/what-we-were-doing-while-russ-was.html).

By the way, Kate and I will be up in NY next week (Wed-Sun).

[Stern]

Disgusting. To think we had no national Debt under Clinton. How very long ago that seems...

[ZippyTheChimp]

We had a national debt during Clinton's administration. What we didn't have was budget deficits. Note the flat part of the graph.

http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1643&d=1143485910

[Stern]

Well the point is that once foreign countries, especially China, request payment, we are in BIG BIG Trouble.

[ZippyTheChimp]

This was discussed somewhere in News & Politics. While the situation is not good, China (or any country) would not demand payment or dump the bonds, because it would hurt them as much as us. The only chance of this happening is in some sort of out of control foreign policy scenario, similar to a US-USSR nuclear standoff.

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called it the balance of mutual terror.

[City Spire]

If only I had the money...http://www.durst.org/i_signage.asp.

[lofter1]

Well the point is that once foreign countries, especially China, request payment, we are in BIG BIG Trouble.
hmmmm ...

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/std/clear.gifhttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/std/clear.gif
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/std/clear.gifhttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/std/clear.gifhttp://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2006/0420/20060420_112311_op21keefe.jpg (http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3732351#)

4.21.2006: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3732351

[Geer]

If you look at it as an percentage of GDP it still is bad but not as bad as some european countries.

http://zfacts.com/metaPage/lib/National-Debt-GDP.gif

[BrooklynRider]

This is a tangent, but what track record has this White House given us that makes you believe ANYTHING they put out?

[alonzo-ny]

I feel really bad for you guys you really need a good president

[BrooklynRider]

What we need is a bloody revolution.

[BigMac]

New York Times
June 1, 2006

A Tower on Times Square Gets New Radio Equipment to Help Emergency Workers

By KAREEM FAHIM

The owners of a Times Square tower have wired their building with radio equipment designed to help emergency workers better communicate with each other once inside — especially in parts of the building where radios tend to drop signals.

The installation of a so-called repeater system in the building, the 52-story Condé Nast building at 4 Times Square, took about a year and a half and cost less than $300,000, the owners said.

Behind the project were the communication failures among firefighters on Sept. 11, 2001.

A debate within the Fire Department continues about whether to require owners to retrofit buildings with communications systems to help firefighters respond to emergencies in those structures.

While the effort to install the new equipment in the building drew warm praise from Fire Department officials who attended a demonstration of the technology at a ceremony in the lobby yesterday, they stopped short of calling for building owners to install similar systems. They said that firefighters are able to communicate adequately in high-rise buildings with the more powerful radios that the department has provided since 9/11.

The Fire Department's first deputy commissioner, Frank Cruthers, called the installation of the system by the Condé Nast building's owners, the Durst Organization, a "wonderful example of corporate good citizenship."

The poor state of Fire Department communication systems has been discussed for more than a decade, but the effort to improve the systems did not begin in earnest until after the 2001 attacks. There have been several improvements, including the more powerful radios, and a high-powered device called the Command Post Radio that allows commanders to communicate with each other even when they are far apart in tall buildings, or in subway tunnels.

A consulting firm, iXP Corporation, has been evaluating options for comprehensive improvements to fire communications since 2004. A Fire Department spokesman, Francis X. Gribbon, said that the evaluation process, which the department had hoped would be completed two years ago, had been slowed because of the need to keep pace with advances in technology. Mr. Gribbon said that fire officials expected recommendations from iXP "within several months."

Among the options, officials said, are encouraging repeater systems similar to the one installed in the Condé Nast building in structures where the Fire Department radios may be lacking, including mall-like structures where even the Fire Department radios have trouble working. Such a move would require the cooperation of owners who may have to retrofit their buildings with in-house repeater systems that can be effective in hard-to-reach areas like elevators and basements.

The department is also considering creating so-called mesh networking systems, which are decentralized wireless networks that might also help track individual firefighters during emergencies, one of the department's goals.

The World Trade Center was fitted with a repeater system that on Sept. 11, 2001, either failed, was damaged or was not completely turned on.

John Lyons, an assistant vice president at the Durst Organization, who helped design the system in the Condé Nast building, said that the network of repeaters and antennas would continue to operate even if a part of the building was badly damaged. During the demonstration yesterday, the Fire Department's chief of operations, Salvatore Cassano, picked up a handset from a control panel in the building's lobby, and gave directions to Capt. Domenick Caleri, a firefighter in a stairwell at the 50th floor. After a short skit about a fire, during which the two men spoke to each other without any difficulty, Chief Cassano said that one of the benefits of the system is that commanders could transmit Mayday or evacuation orders to everyone in the building with a radio.

Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

[kliq6]

Durst, my opinion the best comercial landlord in the city and as a Ex employee a GREAT boss to work for

[BrooklynRider]

I'll second that. A man and a company with long-term vision.

[jeffpark]

whats's going with the Milstein site at 8th and 42nd street

[BrooklynRider]

Why ask that irrelevant question here when there is a dedicated thread to that project?

[STR]

This is a tangent, but what track record has this White House given us that makes you believe ANYTHING they put out?

The fact that you can take the gdp, divide it by the total debt, and multiply by 100 and get the same chart that they made.

[LeCom]

whats's going with the Milstein site at 8th and 42nd street
There are trees and wildgrasses growing on the site. Will try to get a shot if I can.

[Scruffy88]

When the Freedom Tower is completed, and its spire + antenna installed, will they be taking down this spire ontop of conde naste. because this was put up to make up for the lost one from tower 1 of wtc, but I dont know if this was a permanent fixture or a temporary one

[macreator]

When the Freedom Tower is completed, and its spire + antenna installed, will they be taking down this spire ontop of conde naste. because this was put up to make up for the lost one from tower 1 of wtc, but I dont know if this was a permanent fixture or a temporary one

I would think that in this day and age most broadcasters will keep their antennas on the Condé Nast tower as backup considering the last World Trade Center was attacked twice.

[stache]

I'm wondering if Conde Nast is the backup tower for the ESB.

[salty]

Was wondering if someone is able to tell me if the ex-Lumacom billboard is lit up at night-time at the moment, or in the past few weeks. My info. is that Durst are still aiming at getting the one advertiser on all 4 faces hence the delays in finding a long term advertiser on the west side.
Any posts regarding this sign are much appreciated. Thank you

[antinimby]

The lights have been off for some time, almost 3 months now. Don't know what's going on either.

Btw, I love the antenna. Keep the antenna. Want more antennas!

[michelle1]

The lumacom board is still blank

[Derek2k3]

http://static.flickr.com/28/103865601_4d3127f87d.jpg
Anita Gould's photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/anitagould/103865601/)

[LeCom]

A reminder of how soon the structure will be outdone

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4986/dsc01750bofaucjun06tothenwlook.jpg

[salty]

Is there any light/pics on the West side of the Conde Nast/Lumacom Video screen at night or a static pic during the day? If not, I find it amazing that Durst have forked out $1/2mill for a sign that they are going to let fall apart and generate no revenue from.

[TimmyG]

The sign at the top of Conde Nast that's visible from NJ hasn't been on for a while.

[alonzo-ny]

i was lucky enough to be on a tour of this building a few weeks ago. i was on the roof and they were taking apart the lion king sign. they told me bank of america will be utilising at least the sign on the east side.

[antinimby]

That flashing sign really adds some sparkle to the skyline from New Jersey.
Bring it back.

[michelle1]

Conde Nast lost its glamour since the board turned ugly black.

[ablarc]

Conde Nast lost its glamour since the board turned ugly black.
It was always kinda ugly.

Ruins lots of views.

[salty]

i was lucky enough to be on a tour of this building a few weeks ago. i was on the roof and they were taking apart the lion king sign. they told me bank of america will be utilising at least the sign on the east side.


Does this indicate they were dismantling the entire sign or were they just removing the "removable adskins" which had the Lion King print on them?

If it is correct that Bank Of America wish to have a sign on the east face of the 4TS building, it will be interesting to see whether they get a new sign supplied by 4TS or whether they dismantle the current one and move it to the East side. Maybe the reason they are not currently using the sign is because of their intention to move it.

[alonzo-ny]

Does this indicate they were dismantling the entire sign or were they just removing the "removable adskins" which had the Lion King print on them?

If it is correct that Bank Of America wish to have a sign on the east face of the 4TS building, it will be interesting to see whether they get a new sign supplied by 4TS or whether they dismantle the current one and move it to the East side. Maybe the reason they are not currently using the sign is because of their intention to move it.

just the adskins, i really dont remember why they are being removed

[michelle1]

The board is lit again. Great improvement to the Manhattan skyline.

[antinimby]

Who are the advertisers this time?

[NYguy]

Radio World

Big Accomplishments in the Big City
John Lyons Melds Multiple Disciplines to Fashion a Unique Engineering Career

http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0052/images/2006-10-11-rw-page-4-lyons.jpg

Lyons explains Durst's communications system for emergency first responders at a press conference with city officials this spring. Photo by Steve Friedman


by Paul J. McLane, 10.11.2006
Paul McLane is the Editor in Chief of Radio World US


Funny. Brash. No-nonsense. Unpretentious. Sentimental.

These are characteristics we love in native New Yorkers, and they are attributes of John Lyons, recipient of the 2006 Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award. Honorees represent the highest ideals of the U.S. radio broadcast engineering profession and reflect those ideals through their contributions to the industry.

Lyons, 57, is assistant vice president and director of broadcast communications for The Durst Organization in New York; you've read about him in our pages. To me, John more than fulfills the definition of excellence in engineering.

His most obvious recent contribution has been his exceptional work in developing and managing the master broadcast antenna facility atop 4 Times Square at a time when the city has been most in need of such capabilities.

His thumbprint, in fact, is all over New York radio, and we salute his career-long service to the broadcast community there as well as his involvement in numerous professional organizations. His selection five years after the Sept. 11 terrorism is particularly fitting; Lyons played an important part in the return to the air of many New York broadcasters after the attacks.

Something new

Talking by phone - coincidentally on the anniversary of 9/11 - I asked John how he'd characterize his career path. "Being flexible," he answered, and commented on the pace of technology change in broadcast over four decades.

"As people get older, a lot of them just can't deal with it. My mother was looking at the TV one day and asked me, `What's all this damn dot-com stuff?' It was hard to explain it to her, even when I showed her on a laptop. Here's a woman who spent her career on a Remington typewriter.

"A lot of broadcast engineers did that in their careers. They could deal with a tube transmitter, or maybe even a solid-state console; but then it all changed. Whether it's a BE AudioVault or the latest Prophet system, a lot of people fell by the wayside rather than deal with it."

Lyons' motto is "learn something new every day," and he has lived it.

He started in radio at WNYE(FM) at Brooklyn Technical High. Asked to cite his biggest influences, he names Joe Losgar, who as director of engineering for Bonneville's WRFM(FM) "gave a kid with a license and no experience a chance to work. And I've been doing it every day for 40-plus years since. I'm dedicating this award to him."

Lyons worked for Losgar as a transmitter operator and studio engineer. He then spent nine years as chief studio technical operator at WWRL(AM) and concurrently was director of engineering at ZDK Radio in St. John's, Antigua, an AM/FM station he built.

He moved to WOR(AM) to be assistant chief. Owner RKO-General soon promoted him to become chief engineer of WXLO(FM), later renamed WRKS. He worked for over a decade there under a second notable influence, George Capalbo, vice president of engineering for the radio division of the company, which owned the maximum number of stations: seven each AM, FM and TV.

"He believed in us, the seven chiefs. He had one pretty neat bunch of engineers working together. We did a lot of firsts in the '70s and the '80s that are now taken for granted." For example, Lyons remembers experimenting with early telephone talk modules built into consoles, in cooperation with Jack Williams of Pacific Recorders.

In 1990, John left WRKS to join DSI Communications - today DSI RF Systems - where he was senior project manager, responsible for communications facility build-outs including TV and radio transmitter facilities, two-way, point-to-point microwave and satellite systems.

Four years later he took a consulting position at Sony Worldwide Radio Networks, then a new outfit, where he established standards for a nationwide satellite-programming network, built studios and developed its operations system. He went to WLTW(FM) as assistant chief engineer, then was promoted to chief of WAXQ(FM). This was with Viacom; the station was later sold to Chancellor and eventually became part of Clear Channel.

Durst

Earlier in the 1980s, when he was with RKO, Lyons had chaired the Master FM Broadcasters Committee at the Empire State Building, coordinating operations of 13 FMs there and at the World Trade Center. He resumed that chairmanship for four more years in the '90s and was design engineer for many Chancellor/Clear Channel operations including the five-station backup FM site at 4 Times Square, a facility designed in part to be ready for Y2K - "the non-event of the millennium," Lyons says wryly.

That backup, however, would keep WKTU(FM) on the air on 9/11.

Sept. 11 is never far from his mind. Lyons' office is atop 4TS and he is well aware that he is working 715 feet above the street.

"As I'm sitting here in my office looking down at a void in lower Manhattan, it is still striking. This tower went on the air just about three years ago; stations have moved over to Empire, some still have backups at Alpine and various other places; but still there is no building downtown. It's difficult."

For the most part, New York's broadcast engineering community, he says, is tight-knit, and demonstrated it when six members died at World Trade.

"We're all there for each other. Let the program people fight out the ratings; the engineers will watch out for each other. That was proven five years ago. Hopefully it'll always continue to be that way."

After the attacks, Lyons was one of those scrambling. He worked with Empire, 4 Times Square, broadcasters and contractors to restore broadcasting operations for all of the orphaned World Trade stations. He designed transmission line runs, laid out transmitter plants and assisted the stations to return to the air as soon as possible.

In 2002 Durst brought him on as manager of communications and broadcast operations to redevelop and expand the capabilities of the transmission facility atop 4TS.

He oversaw removal of the 132-foot master FM antenna tower and its replacement with a 385-foot master TV/FM antenna tower, one that could, in theory, accommodate every TV and FM station licensed to the New York metropolitan area. The facility also can handle point-to-point microwave, spread-spectrum, broadband, two-way, STL/TSL, RPU and ENG services. As I've reported, it's an impressive place, now home to one FM main transmission facility, nine FM backups, two TV mains, three TV backups, the city's Qualcomm/MediaFlo site and sundry point-to-point and broadband services, as well as an STL/TSL hop for WOR.

Though he's "just" the site manager, broadcasters ask him all the time to handle adjustments or problems with their facility. He's up there already; and he knows what he's doing.

In 2005 he was elevated to responsibility for communications needs of the company's 10 million-square-foot portfolio of buildings. He continues to innovate. He has spent two years establishing a state-of-the-art communications system for first responders, now in place in the Durst buildings, which will benefit firefighters and EMS personnel and protect Durst's tenants and properties. That alone is a huge accomplishment. Meanwhile, his design for RF monitoring and safety at a multi-user communications facility is a topic of attention at national and regional engineering conferences.

Impish maverick

Long lists of career memberships can be easy to skip over, but think about them: Lyons is active with the NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference Committee. He is a Fellow in the SBE and a Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer, and a former member of the board of directors and original member of the certification committee of SBE.

He also is a Master Certified Engineer in both RF and non-RF disciplines with the National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers; an associate Member of the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers; a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcast Engineering Conference Committee; and former president of the Veterans' Hospital Radio and Television Guild.

I know him to be a devoted family man. A New York native, he met his wife, Natasha, in Siberia - yes, that Siberia.

"In my other life, I did competitive ballroom dancing and international dance photography." (Where does he find the time?) "I was shooting the Russian dance championships in Bratsk, and she was one of the translators. Seven weeks later she was in America, and we were married shortly after. That was 14-1/2 years ago."

Their son Matthew, 13, is in 8th grade - "an overachiever, maybe like me" - and is a junior PGA golfer.

In recent years Lyons' career has taken another fascinating turn. When he came to Durst, he realized he was working for a real-estate company and knowledge of the industry would help immensely. "I can't sell the company if I can't sell myself," he says. So he went back to school, studying at night, and is now a Licensed New York State Real Estate Broker and a member of the Real Estate Board of New York as well as the Building Owners and Management Association; he also has a Certificate in Property Management from New York University. This, however, has not kept him from remaining an active and involved part of the broadcast engineering community.

I asked John how others would describe him. "I don't think we can put that into print," he replied. Pressed, he answered, "`Maverick.' That was a word George Capalbo used." It's a trait Lyons appreciates and would seek out when hiring an engineer. "That's what I'd look for: someone who thinks a little outside the box, has a little sparkle in their eye and is a little impish."

That's John.

His goal is to continue improving 4 Times Square and to attract more tenants. He'd like the facility to be considered the standard for multi-user sites, particularly in its management of RF safety. He wants it to be a design the FCC can point to as a model.

His career advice for other engineers? Keep learning. "I say that to my son: Learn one new thing every day before you go to bed. I still do that myself."

Whether it's designing remote input selectors for Gates Yards and BE Spotmaster boards in the 1970s, or developing a $25 million skytop site in the new millennium, Lyons has innovated. He's a perfect choice for the 2006 Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award.

[salty]

Was just wondering if someone would be able to indicate what is currently on the 4TS electronic billboard up the top, both in the day and at night.
Your responses are much appreciated. TYIA

[antinimby]

Nothing's displayed up there, at least according to these recent photos (http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showpost.php?p=138300&postcount=2109).

[michelle1]

The last time I saw the sign up was on New Year’s Eve while waiting for the ball drop in Times Square.

[salty]

Was just wondering if someone would please give an update on the LED 4 Times Square rooftop sign. Haven't heard anything about it for quite a long time. What advertisers are currently displaying on? Is it on day and night and every day/night? Is there a static adskin on it yet?

Thanx for the update.

[BigMac]

• Epicurious Eliane • on Flickr
September 18, 2007

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/1510916272_87d4eb59a4_b.jpg

[Bob]

With this building, I guess you either love it, or hate it. Was never a big fan...the top is an eyesore.

[lofter1]

a visual cacaphony :eek:

in dialog with what's on the streets below :confused:

really is a big mess -- with a cherry on top

[TREPYE]

I say refreshingly futuristic... :);)

• Epicurious Eliane • on Flickr
September 18, 2007

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/1510916272_87d4eb59a4_b.jpg


You wanna see a garbage crown tilt your head a few degrees to the left and retch to the to the sight of the gracelessness that is 7 times square.
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2613/dscf01437qm.th.jpg (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf01437qm.jpg)
Crap so confounding that to this day I dint know what SOM was trying to do with that crown. For what it ended up looking like I would have preferred a flat top. IMO the worst tower built in the last 10 years.

[michelle1]

With this building, I guess you either love it, or hate it. Was never a big fan...the top is an eyesore.
I have to admit I love this building. Salty, the rooftop Sign has been on for a long time

[alonzo-ny]

Im surprised all 4 signs arent permenantly lit up considering how big advertising is in this city.

[BrooklynRider]

The one facing west is the only one that has proven to be opoerational. It is an on again off again thing. It was on last week, but it's mostly off.

[michelle1]

Salty, here is the link where you will be able to see whether the Sign is On or Off
http://www.wirednewyork.com/webcam3/

[dtolman]

I took this in April 2004 - guess I'm in the half of the population that loves it - this city needs more buildings with crowns - even weird sci-fi one's.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2075/1701398438_84dea47a54_b.jpg

[alonzo-ny]

If it was a stand out tower in the skyline i wouldnt like it but stuck in the madness of times square it works.

[ablarc]

Crap so confounding that to this day I dint know what SOM was trying to do with that crown. For what it ended up looking like I would have preferred a flat top. IMO the worst tower built in the last 10 years.
Yeah, this one is really stupid.

[lofter1]

methinks that if the intended purpose had been achieved (large illuminated signage on all four sides of the crown) then this would be far more popular, Instead (for the most part) we've been confronted with blank screens in the sky.

All in all the crown at 4TS must be termed a failure due to that lack of visuals up top.

[alonzo-ny]

has more going on up there than most.

[macreator]

I still don't understand why 4 Times Square has blank ads on top. You'd think there would be plenty of companies willing to pay to have their name up there.

[Skylimitone]

Glimpsed something 'moving' up there recently, lol.

[ablarc]

I still don't understand why 4 Times Square has blank ads on top. You'd think there would be plenty of companies willing to pay to have their name up there.
Too high up to be clearly seen?

Too expensive for relatively little exposure?

Both?





Ugly building.

[alonzo-ny]

That sucks it would have been rather coruscant-ish

[212]

I like Conde Nast. It's eye-catching at every angle and especially lively at street level. It fits perfectly into Times Square, and the top acknowledges both Astor Plaza (another controversial tsq tower that I like) and the Empire State.

The inoperative billboard isn't bothering me. Hey, the Empire State's mooring mast hasn't been used as intended either.

[MidtownGuy]

I think the difference there is pretty obvious. The ESB mooring mast is still attractive and elegant regardless of whether a giant blimp is going to dock there. The giant dead billboad panels stuck on the top of 4TS are stupid looking without the displays working.

[michelle1]

The Sign should be displaying the New York State Flag

[MidtownGuy]

4 giant live feeds of the ball dropping on New Year's Eve for people to see from miles.:)

[alonzo-ny]

problem is i dont think the screens are always on there. When i was on my tour of the building in the summer i was told that one was being disassembled, cant rememebr why.

[BrooklynRider]

It looked best before the silly TVs were put up. They had a simple "4" logo up there and they looked very nice.

[Front_Porch]

I still think -- we see this at Gehry's IAC too -- there's a clash between the modern design imperative for big screens which look cool all lit up and the modern environmentalist imperative to not burn electricity 24/7 for no reason.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[kz1000ps]

It looked best before the silly TVs were put up. They had a simple "4" logo up there and they looked very nice.

Ah yes, I forgot about that. Those "4" logos did look great.

[lofter1]

When i was on my tour of the building in the summer i was told that one was being disassembled, cant rememebr why.

Betcha it is the east facing screen -- the one facing towards the new B of A Tower.

[alonzo-ny]

Yeah that sounds about right. City looks great from the roof by the way.

[michelle1]

I really enjoyed reading text messages displayed on the CNB. Have you sent one too? I did!

[Derek2k3]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2170723946_23ec7bd9c0_b.jpg
ksten (http://flickr.com/photos/ksten/)

[brianac]

FACE TIME ON B'WAY

By MATTHEW NESTEL and CYNTHIA R. FAGEN
March 5, 2008

Now you can be larger than life - projecting your toothy grin high above Times Square on a giant billboard.

The 2,500-square-foot interactive digital screen, which sits atop the 48-story Condé Nast skyscraper at 42nd Street and Broadway, will light up Friday.

The "I in the Sky" project, by Brooklyn artist Raul Vincent Enriquez, will show head shots of individual participants for 30 to 60 seconds until April 26.

The 43-year-old artist says he hopes to have thousands pose for him. His specially rigged digital photo booth, at the "chashama" art gallery on West 44th Street, is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.

Copyright 2008 The New York Post.

[rocknocker]

By my reckoning there should be some action on the sign already. Is there anyone in New York close enough to comment

[stache]

I will try to take a look tonight.

[scumonkey]

I saw them the other night..... close up portraits of different anonymous people, each one lasting for less than a minute.
They are yellowish to orange-ish in colour, slightly rotating before changing over to a different face.
Nice to see those black screens lit up and used for something!

[antinimby]

Well how about a pic then, for our Australian friends?