Examples at three buildings follow:

Occupancy at 501 Seventh Avenue is continuing to climb, following an announcement that the Local Initiatives Support Corp., a nationwide community development organization, took 50,000 square feet for 16 years.

With that lease, which covers the entire seventh floor and a major portion of the sixth, the vacancy rate at the building has dramatically dropped to less than 10 percent. Within the last 12 months, more than 257,000 square feet have been leased, generating an aggregate rent of more than $92 million (inclusive of the 160,000 square feet leased to The Warnaco Group, Inc., one of the nation's largest apparel makers, in April). Ownership has also paid over $5 million in broker commissions.

"Prospective tenants are impressed by ownership's commitment and financial stability, plus the building's convenience to mass transit, including easy access to several subway and bus lines and to Penn Station, The Port Authority Bus Terminal and Grand Central Terminal," says Scott Pudalov of CB Richard Ellis, 501 Seventh's managing agent.

At 250 West 57th Street, tenant interest is also rising sharply, thanks in part to the ongoing redevelopment of the Columbus Circle area and the repositioning and modernization of the building to capitalize on its proximity to the new Time Warner headquarters.

RZO, LLC, which provides business management, accounting and tour production services to leading music industry figures (including David Bowie, Sting, Shakira and U2), took 12,250 square feet on the 11th floor, making RZO the building's largest tenant. The 15-year lease is valued at $6.5 million. (See story on page 2).

"We were impressed with the building's capital improvements, services and solid ownership," says Lia Sweet, an RZO principal. "And the location is ideal for our clients and other professionals with whom we deal."

Al Cleary, senior director of Cushman & Wakefield, 250 West 57th Street's leasing and managing agent, says RZO was won over by ownership's flexibility in finalizing the deal.

"RZO needed new offices immediately and was accommodated in temporary quarters while renovations to their new home could be made," he says. "This was a key component in being able to get the deal done."

At yet another W&H property, The Lincoln Building's modern facilities, its direct underground access to Grand Central Terminal, and its proximity to other transportation hubs is proving to be a major selling point. It will also soon play host to a pilot test of energy-efficiency technologies never before seen in New York.

York International, the nation's largest independently-owned manufacturer of heating and cooling systems, signed a 10-year lease for the entire 41st floor of The Lincoln Building. The company took more than 12,000 square feet, which will contain a demonstration area for the company's products in addition to offices.

York's space will be built to comply with a draft of commercial interior guidelines for an energy-efficiency standard known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is a voluntary, national standard that recognizes buildings or spaces meeting a variety of energy-efficiency criteria, including indoor air quality, water savings and selection of building materials. York is one of 52 companies participating in the nationwide trial, which will last 18 months.

"The improvements being made to the York space will benefit not only the building, but the city as a whole, by helping to raise energy-efficiency standards and awareness," says Brian Waterman, Executive Vice President of Newmark & Co., the building's general manager.