Editors’ Note

Edward Piccinich is the Chief Operating Officer of SL Green Realty Corp., Manhattan’s largest office landlord and fully integrated real estate investment trust with an enterprise value of over $16 billion and interests in nearly 35 million square feet. Piccinich has nearly 25 years of experience driving asset-value enhancement across the SL Green portfolio, implementing market-leading efficiency programs and building a formidable team. Since joining SL Green in 2002, he has had oversight of numerous verticals, including Operations; Development, Construction, & Design; Security & Life Safety; Underwriting; Hospitality; Sustainability & ESG; Information Technology; People Experience (HR); Office Administration; and onsite management of SL Green properties, comprised of commercial office, retail, residential, and mixed-use assets. Piccinich manages SL Green’s robust development pipeline of transformational projects, including the innovative redevelopment of One Madison Avenue, a bespoke luxury residential development at 760 Madison Avenue in the historic Upper East Side, and SL Green’s first office-to-residential conversion at 750 Third Avenue. He and his team were also responsible for SL Green’s crown jewel: One Vanderbilt Avenue, a 1.7 million-square-foot, transformative office tower in Midtown. Prior to joining SL Green, Piccinich oversaw the World Trade Center complex for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and served as Vice President at JP Morgan Chase. He is a Principal Member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and serves on the board of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). He is a member of the Board of Directors for the New York Building Congress (NYBC) and is Commercial Director at the Real Estate Advisory Board (RAB). Additionally, he serves as a Trustee for the New York City Police Foundation (NYCPF), Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC), and the Madison Square Park Conservancy (MSPC). Piccinich is also a member of the Board of Directors for several of New York City’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and related organizations, including the Flatiron Nomad Partnership, the Downtown Alliance, and the 34th Street Partnership. He is an avid supporter of St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Corporate Partners, and the New York City Police Foundation. Throughout his four-decade career, Piccinich has been honored by both industry and nonprofit organizations for his commitment to improving both the real estate industry and his community. Most notably, his awards and honors include Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Honoree (2024), Lincoln Center’s Real Estate and Construction Council honoree (2022), ASHRAE’s Award for Distinguished Public Service (2020), John Cardinal O’Connor School Construction & Building Industry Dinner honoree (2019), Muscular Dystrophy Association Anniversary Gala Coach (2017), Madison Square Park’s Madison Square Award (2016), REBNY’s George M. Booker Management Executive of the Year Award (2016), St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters Annual Theatre Event’s St. Francis Award (2015), Diabetes Research Institute Empire Ball honoree (2007), and Starlight Children’s Foundation Gala honoree (2004). Piccinich earned his BS degree in mechanical engineering from Manhattan College.

Company Brief

SL Green Realty Corp. (slgreen.com), Manhattan’s largest office landlord, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust, or REIT, that is focused primarily on acquiring, managing, and maximizing value of Manhattan commercial properties. As of September 30, 2024, the company held interests in 55 buildings totaling 31.8 million square feet. This included ownership interests in 28.1 million square feet of Manhattan buildings and 2.8 million square feet securing debt and preferred equity investments.

What have been the keys to SL Green’s industry leadership, and how do you define the SL Green difference?

In the simplest terms, hard work. SL Green’s ability to exceed industry standards is driven by the efforts of the people within our operation. I, along with my partners at the helm of all our business groups, have cultivated an environment of diligence. What sets us apart is our philosophy of collaboration, contribution, motivation, and support of one another to consistently grow and push boundaries. This culture is directly correlated with our successes and is the result of strong leadership and guidance from our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Marc Holliday, whose visionary direction propels us forward.

Will you provide an overview of your role and areas of focus?

I oversee a diverse range of business verticals, including Operations; Development, Construction & Design; Property Management; Security & Life Safety; Underwriting; Hospitality; Sustainability & ESG; Information Technology; People Experience (HR); and Office Services. With each of these areas, I apply a distinct focus on executing timelines, optimizing internal procedures, deploying efficient systems, managing risk, and mentoring the members of each group. I firmly believe that committing to each individual in our team and creating value for others is an effective means to success for the company as a whole. I am constantly revolutionizing the functions I oversee to continuously bring value to SL Green and contribute to the company’s forward momentum and position as industry leaders.

What do you feel has been the impact of One Vanderbilt on New York City?

In 2015, building on the momentum from the historic Vanderbilt Corridor and Greater East Midtown rezonings, we started bringing the One Vanderbilt vision into reality by demolishing the one-acre site and 800,000 square feet of existing structures. Five years later, in September 2020, we opened the striking tapered tower with its angled podium and glass and terracotta facade. One Vanderbilt seamlessly integrates with the skyline and compliments the art deco influences of the neighboring historic buildings.

As part of the project, we committed $220 million in transit improvements to the city. For example, we de-mapped a portion of Vanderbilt Avenue and replaced it with a vibrant 14,000-square-foot public plaza, added a 5,000-square-foot transit hall space with direct access to the terminal, and expanded entry points to the 4, 5, 6, 7, and Shuttle MTA subway lines. Most recently, we opened a direct connection to the Long Island Rail Road’s Grand Central Madison. The results of these improvements are felt daily by pedestrians and commuters in and around Grand Central Terminal.

Beyond its iconic placement in the skyline and efficient design, the building stands firmly as a business epicenter and a cultural destination for tourists and locals alike. Whether you are enjoying breakfast at the Épicerie Boulud, attending a conference at The Vandy Club, soaking in the sunset at SUMMIT, or having a Michelin-star dinner at Le Pavillon or Jōji, One Vanderbilt offers something for everyone.

Will you highlight the SUMMIT observatory at One Vanderbilt, and opportunities to expand the SUMMIT offering to other markets?

I am incredibly proud of the success of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Since opening three years ago, SUMMIT has welcomed over 6 million visitors and collected multiple accolades, including being named New York’s Top Tourist Attraction by Travel + Leisure. SUMMIT is a one-of-a-kind observatory experience that spans 65,000 square feet and 3 stories atop One Vanderbilt. At 1,100 feet up in the sky, it boasts dramatic panoramic views as well as contains various artistic installations such as Kenzo Digital’s “AIR”, an immersive video experience that emulates floating through the sky. The entire interior is clad in mirrors, offering patrons a unique and breathtaking perspective of the city’s skyline.

Building on our success in New York, we are excited to announce the beginning of SL Green’s global expansion starting with a new SUMMIT location in Paris. While I can’t share more details just yet, I can assure you that the new installation will be extraordinary.

Will you provide an overview of One Madison, and how the property will be positioned in the market?

One Madison is a transformative project at the heart of the historic Flatiron District, exemplifying the potential of adaptive reuse. It blends modern design elements with existing structures and facades, creating a balance between the past and present and serving as a testament to our deep respect for the property’s rich history. The design seamlessly integrates a new 500,000-square-foot, virtually column free, 18-story tower into the existing 10-story podium made of historic Alabama limestone. This was achieved by reinforcing the foundation using fourteen mega-columns in the bedrock and an intricate truss system on the 10th floor to carry the load of the additional 500,000 square feet. By preserving 67 percent of the building’s original structure, we chose a sustainable approach, focusing on reusing, renovating, and vertically expanding, rather than demolishing.

One Madison is the most advanced and desirable building in the Flatiron neighborhood, as is evident by the buildings leasing velocity (i.e., IBM, Franklin Tempelton, Coinbase, Chelsea Piers, etc.). Additionally, we built out and programmed industry leading workplace amenities such as L’Épicerie, our exclusive tenant lounge; the elegant rooftop event space, Le Jardin sur Madison; and Daniel Boulud’s exclusive new steakhouse, La Tête d’Or. With this multitude of tenant amenity spaces, a sophisticated and far-reaching hospitality program, as well as curated retail partners, One Madison is already a distinguished address in the neighborhood.

How is SL Green enhancing the tenant experience throughout its portfolio?

Our planning and strategy within both the development landscape and our core assets includes a laser sharp focus on the tenant experience. Year after year we invest capital into value-add renovation, modernization, and amenizitation projects, with our tenants’ everyday experience top-of-mind. Beyond providing superior commercial space, our Property Management takes it to the next level, providing a best-in-class white glove service that tenants appreciate.

Will you highlight SL Green’s focus on sustainability and commitment to being environmental stewards of its buildings?

I am incredibly proud of our team’s commitment to not only environmental sustainability, but our entire ESG program. Whether it be through energy management, waste reduction, addressing climate change, community involvement, or promoting health and wellness, our goal is, and always has been, to create lasting value through sustainable initiatives, while integrating best practices into our daily operations and driving long-term value for our assets and for our organization as a whole. Each year, we continue to build on our efforts and adapt to the evolving disclosure requirements and legislation that inform our strategic planning. Thanks to the exceptional work of our ESG team, we have established a set of standards that are recognized as a leading example in the industry and serve as a model for others in their sustainability efforts.

What do you feel are the keys to effective leadership, and how do you approach your management style?

Embedded in my ethos is a commitment to being a lifelong learner, rejecting complacency, and applying a creative approach to every initiative or obstacle that arises. This philosophy has guided my leadership methodology for over two decades and has resulted in the formation of a diverse team that is equally passionate and committed to growth, accountability, and raising the bar. Each team member is encouraged and motivated to grow their knowledge and capability, unlock their full potential, contribute their thoughts and opinions freely to one another, ultimately cultivating the group’s overall effectiveness.

You have spent much of your career at SL Green. What has made the experience so special for you?

With nearly four decades in the business, and more than half of that at SL Green, I carry thousands of career experiences and lessons with me daily that are the source of my continued drive and ability to navigate the intricacies and complexities of our industry. Countless of these life lessons have occurred with SL Green, and I am grateful to our Chairman and CEO, Marc Holliday, for his steadfast stewardship, as well as the entire Executive team for their partnership over the years. This team, combined with the hundreds of other hardworking individuals we are lucky to employ, has made SL Green particularly special, and rendered me deeply committed to our success. I am honored to be a part of this leading company, and it is a privilege to help shape it through mentoring emerging talent and ensuring our legacy of excellence continues. I am grateful for the opportunities the company has to grow within the dynamic world of commercial real estate and am excited for the future to come.

With all that you have accomplished in your career, are you able to enjoy the process and take moments to celebrate the wins?

I love the process. My experience overseeing a dozen or so business verticals and remarkable projects, though exhaustive, has not lessened my sense of awe of what can be achieved through our communal effort. The path is never without challenges, and navigating through them makes reaching every target and eventual success that much more rewarding.

Along the way, we mark our triumphs by sabering and sharing bottles of Champagne. Whether it be groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, marriages, births or retirements, I have always made a concerted effort to acknowledge and celebrate every milestone, both professional and personal.