The Avenue of the Americas Association is pleased to announce that the Association celebrated their 92nd Anniversary Gala, honoring Vito Bacarella, on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at the newly opened Ziegfeld Ballroom on the Avenue.
Sarah Berman (The Berman Group)
Building owners and major tenants on the Avenue attended the Gala to celebrate the civic and commercial improvements that have been accomplished along the Avenue. Guests enjoyed fine dining and a performance by The Harlem Gospel Choir, a group that has been entertaining audiences worldwide for two decades. Proceeds from the Gala will help the Association advance its mission in its 92nd year and promote the Avenue as a premier business community in New York City. Funds will also benefit The Salvadori Center and The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
Andy Gottesman (Hippodrome)
Honoring Vito Bacarella
Since 1961, the Avenue of the Americas Association has presented the Gold Key Award each year to an individual or organization who makes a positive contribution to the Avenue and New York City. Sarah Berman, Executive Director of the Avenue of the Americas Association and President of The Berman Group, presented Mr. Bacarella with the Gold Key Award on behalf of the Association. Mr. Bacarella was presented with this award for his unwavering support of New York City organizations that strengthen the community from within and for being especially committed to organizations that support sustainability, social justice and equality. Mr. Bacarella is the Managing Director of The UBS Wealth Management Branch Real Estate Group and serves as Vice President on the Executive Committee of the Avenue of the Americas Association. Prior to joining UBS, Mr. Bacarella spent six years at Goldman Sachs as Vice President Head of Design and Construction for the Americas and 17 years at Merrill Lynch as Director of Wealth Management Branch Real Estate.
Second from left: Jennifer Ciccotto (SL Green), Andy Gottesman (Hippodrome) and Ron D’Amato (SL Green)
“We recognize Mr. Bacarella’s enthusiasm for our neighborhood and his helping spread the message that the Avenue of the Americas is the most desired business location in New York City,” said Andy Gottesman, Principal of the Hippodrome Building and Chairman of the Avenue of the Americas Association.“His passion for the Association will impact the Sixth Avenue business corridor for years to come.”
Sarah Berman (The Berman Group), Andy Gottesman (Hippodrome) and Vito Bacarella (UBS and Recipient of the 2018 Gold Key Award)
Honoring the 2018 Avenue Award Winners
The 2018 Avenue Awards, which highlight Sustainability Achievements, Innovative Office Designs, Building Design and Renovation Achievements, Creative Concepts for Retail and Technology Innovation were also presented at the Gala.
Andy Gottesman (Hippodrome) with the Hines Team, Recipients of the 2018 Green Avenue Award
The Green Avenue Award recognizes a building or tenant who adopts or develops exceptional sustainable practices which go beyond the industry sustainability standard. The award was presented to Hines, 1251 Avenue of the Americas for their Ongoing Commissioning and ProAct Sustainability Tracking Program.
From left: Mindy Williams, Tracy Davis, Samantha Tursi, Vito Bacarella, Sarah Brown and Sonya Verny
The award category for Innovative Office Design Achievement aims to recognize a unique interior architectural or design tenant spaces on the Avenue. Emerge 212, located at 1185 Avenue of the Americas, was presented with the award for their new state-of-the-art office incorporating technical infrastructure and bold innovative designs.
Hippodrome Table
The award category for Innovative Office Design Achievement aims to recognize a landlord who has recently completed a unique renovation on their property. The award was presented to SL Green for its Lobby Renovation at 1185 Avenue of the Americas.
Vito Bacarella’s Family
The award category for Creative Concept for Retail Achievement recognizes a retail tenant who has recently completed a unique renovation or build-out of their space on the Avenue. Ziegfeld Ballroom, the Gala’s event space, was presented with the award.
Andy Gottesman and the Emerge 212 team, Recipients of the 2018 Innovative Office Design Award
The award category for Technology Innovation Achievement aims to recognize a landlord or office tenant on the Avenue who has made an important technology-driven innovation throughout the last year. The award was presented to Take-Two Interactive, located at 1130 Avenue of the Americas.
Andy Gottesman and the Take Two Interactive Software team, Recipients of the 2018 Technology Innovation Award
Platinum level sponsors of the event included Clune Construction Company, Consolidated Contracting Services, Fisher Brothers, Hippodrome, James E. Fitzgerald, Newmark Knight Frank, Paramount Group, RXR and The Rockefeller Group.
Vito Bacarella and Family
About Avenue of the Americas Association
The Avenue of the Americas Association is a civic improvement corporation that promotes the commercial welfare of "America's Corporate Corridor" and New York City. The Avenue of Americas, a thoroughfare of approximately four miles long, is one of the City's most exciting locations, boasting impressive architecture, corporate headquarters, restaurants, entertainment, cultural attractions, parks, plazas and business districts. The Association acts as an intermediary with government agencies and officials, and provides its membership with information on proposed laws and actions that will affect them. Issues such as transportation, physical improvements, signage, public safety, economic growth and homelessness are some of the challenges addressed by the Association in recent years. For more information, please visit www.aveoftheamericas.org.
