The original newspaper headquarters were located on Broadway and 42nd Street in Times Square from 1904 to 1960—the new building is promoted as a green structure, though it is not LEED certified. The design incorporates many features for increased energy efficiency. The curtain wall, fully glazed with low-e glass, maximizes natural light within the building while the ceramic-rod screen helps block direct sunlight and reduce cooling loads. Mechanized shades controlled by sensors reduce glare, while more than 18,000 individually dimmable fluorescent fixtures supplement natural light, providing a real energy savings of 30 percent.
A natural gas cogeneration plant provides 40 percent of the electrical power to The New York Times Company’ space within the building, with the waste heat used for heating and cooling. Floors occupied by The New York Times Company utilize a raised floor system that allows for underfloor air distribution, which requires less cooling than a conventional ducted system. The building also incorporates free-air cooling, bringing in outside air when it is cooler than the interior space, which saves additional energy. In excess of 95% of the structural steel was recycled. The building, like many in midtown Manhattan, has no on-site parking, with most employees arriving by public transit. Since December 2007, building management has provided an indoor parking area for 20 bicycles. The story of the tower’s construction is showcased at the Liberty Science Center’s exhibition “Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact”.