While in New York last week, I learned that IES has put its flagship office on the market. According to the LoopNet listing, the space consists of 10,973 square feet, and the waterfront location is LEED Gold Certified as of 2020.
Your humble editor reached out to Rita Harrold, the first woman elected President of IES, and she reminded me that IES was originally located at 345 East 47th Street at The United Engineering Center. IES had been at that location for many years. Rita joined the IES staff in 1992, and in 1993 the Society moved to the new location at the 17th floor 120 Wall Street. She explained, “It happened because the United Engineering Center organizations tried to reject members who were not founders and suggested they could no longer be tenants. So IES left!!” She further explained that the United Engineering Center was originally founded by engineering organizations ASCE, AIME, ASME, IEEE, and AIChE. She went on to say those organizations occupied the building from 1906 until 1997, when they agreed to move. The building was demolished in 1998 for the development of a residential Tower by Trump.
It will be a sad day when the property is rented and IES vacates. But given the circumstances it is absolutely the right decision.