ISSUE NO. 3 | November 24, 2020

Dear 555 Community, 2020 has been a year for the history books, and it’s hard to believe that we are already entering the holiday season. In a year of unprecedented challenges, it’s important to stop and take stock of the blessings around you – things like family, friends and fulfilling work.  We are so grateful for the community we have here at 555 Madison Avenue. We are extremely proud of the resilience we all have demonstrated this year. Together, we have faced real challenges. We are thankful for your flexibility, your commitment to problem solving with us and for your contributions. We are also thankful for the trust you put in us every day, and that you choose to be a part of the 555 Madison Avenue family.  In spite of the rigors of 2020, there’s a lot to celebrate in this edition of 555 Madison Connects. Along with our regular features, we’ve asked tenants to share what they are thankful for as well. We hope you find inspiration in their reflections, as we do.   Happy reading!  The Management Team Rodney Corporation Please note: while we send this update to our designated tenant contact, we encourage you to share this newsletter and all issues with your entire staff so we can keep our community connected and informed.

BEING THANKFUL Tenants Weigh In

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we asked you to weigh in on what you are thankful for.

Here’s what you told us:

“Let’s give thanks for our loved ones, friends and neighbors, this and every year. Wishing you and yours a joyous and healthy holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving!” Scott Lublin, NYU Langone Health

“The Elie Wiesel Foundation is very thankful this holiday season for all our first responders, front line heroes, and essential workers that are safeguarding our health and well-being as well as protecting the vitality of our great city. We are thankful for the humanity and spirit of New York City that remains steadfast and strong during these difficult times.” Marissa Poock, Elie Wiesel Foundation

“Everyone at Mane is tremendously grateful to the team at 555 Madison for ensuring our safety during this crisis. From opening up a bike room and managing elevator traffic to rigorous cleaning protocols, we are thankful for it all. We are also grateful for the consideration and diligence of our neighbors.” Birgit Benayoun, Mane

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Mark Leighton Mark Leighton joined the 555 Madison team back in June when our new mail, messenger and food delivery room first opened. As you may remember, the purpose of the dedicated room was to reduce delivery traffic on tenant floors. As head of the operation, it’s Mark’s job to receive all USPS, UPS, DHL, FedEx, messenger packages and food deliveries. Deliveries come in the freight entrance on 56th Street where Mark performs temperature checks and asks a few health screening questions in case the delivery person needs to go upstairs. Mark also helps out in the lobby a few hours each day to manage elevator queueing and social distancing. The job requires a lot of clear communication and interaction with people and that’s just how Mark, a self-described “people person”, likes it. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life working here. I like being positive, welcoming people and giving that extra 10%,” says Mark.   Before joining the 555 Madison team, Mark worked in restaurants and knows the importance of great service. Originally from North Wales, Mark moved to the USA in 1987 and has called it home ever since. Mark was recommended for the job by our Chief Engineer John Byers. Back in the day the two were in a band together - John played bass and wrote songs, while Mark was on the vocals and wrote lyrics. We’ll keep you posted on any reunion tours, but most days when Mark is not working, he’s enjoying time with his son or out for a jog. 

TENANT SPOTLIGHT Dreyfus Foundation

Gerry Brandenstein, Dr. Mark Cardillo (Executive Director), and Adam Lore (Operations Manager) at Carnegie Mellon University for the Dreyfus Prize celebration in 2015

Science is cool, even the teenagers say so.  “The importance of what we do at the Dreyfus Foundation really struck me when one of my daughters did research at Stony Brook University Hospital one summer. She said to me, ‘You know Dad, what you do is really cool.’ It took a teenager to validate my career choices,” jokes Gerry Brandenstein, the Associate Director of the Dreyfus Foundation. He has been with the foundation for 31 years. Established in 1946, the Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation works to advance the science of chemistry, chemical engineering, and related sciences as a means of improving human relations and circumstances throughout the world. The foundation does this through an expansive series of grants and programs that support emerging faculty and researchers; and through the Dreyfus Prize which recognizes excellence in these fields and related areas. A team of 16 scientists review applications and present their recommendations to the board for Dreyfus grants each cycle.  The foundation’s impact is far reaching and enduring. Its Teacher-Scholar program, for example, has provided more than $53 million in support for over 900 young scientists since its inception. Some of these scientists have gone on to win the Nobel Prize and to lead major academic and research institutions. Brandenstein explains that the foundation provides “the ability to contribute to the success of young faculty members and it also recognizes extraordinary scientists. We are helping move the needle in important topics in science. It’s exciting work.” The lean team of four that makes all this happen has called 555 Madison Avenue its home since the 1990s. They originally were on the 13th floor and are now on the 20th floor. Brandenstein was in charge of finding the space.  “We were previously sharing offices with the Revson Foundation, but we wanted our own space and independence. The 13th floor was quiet and comfortable. There’s a level of comfort to 555 that has been consistent throughout the years, but it’s not militaristic in operations. The other day, for example, I called down to Mark in the mailroom. I had forgotten to get my mail. He didn’t say delivery is at 2pm only. He just brought it right up. The team has always been responsive.” Brandenstein was working from home during “New York on Pause” but since August he has been coming into the office three days a week. “I interact with less people on the LIRR and the subway than I would if I went to the supermarket. I feel very comfortable making the commute and I couldn’t work as efficiently at home anymore.” Brandenstein is happy to be back and there’s plenty keeping him busy. The deadline for submissions for the biennial Dreyfus Prize in the Chemical Sciences is December 3rd. The 2021 award will recognize work in Environmental Chemistry this time around and it comes with a $250,000 cash prize. The honoree will be announced in May. How cool is that!

BUILDING NEWS Reminders & Enhancements COVID-19 Protocols: Please let your visitors know in advance that our building has strict COVID protocols. Please share our COVID protocols with visitors in advance. Here is a link: https://www.555madison.com/covid-19. Destination Dispatch Elevators: Our elevator modernization project has started. Mechanics are installing the call displays in the elevator lobbies on each floor. The is just the first phase of the conversion process to our Destination Dispatch system. During this phase, all elevators will continue to be operational. This phase will be completed in January.

Covid-19 Protocols

Elevators

FROM THE ARCHIVE 1962 - What A Year! Carl Gossett Jr./The New York Times file 1962, the year 555 Madison Avenue was completed, was historic. Here’s what else was happening in New York City when the Coates Building first opened its doors. On January 4th, New York City introduced a subway train that operated without a crew on board.  On March 1st, the largest ticker-tape parade in history took place in New York City as well-wishers turned out to salute American astronaut John Glenn. The city sanitation department collected 3,474 tons of tossed paper afterward, compared to an average of 50 tons for parades in the 21st century. On April 16th, Bob Dylan performed “Blowing in the Wind” for the first time in the West Village venue Gerde’s Folk City. On May 5th, the West Side Story soundtrack album went to #1 and stayed #1 for 54 weeks, more than 20 weeks longer than any other album.  On May 28th, Eero Saarinen's award-winning TWA Flight Center opened at JFK Airport. On September 12th, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech in New York City to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the issuance of Abraham Lincoln’s Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.  On October 16th, the New York Yankees defeated the San Francisco Giants 1-0 in Game 7 of the 1962 World Series. (The New York Mets were also founded in 1962.) On December 8th, the 1962 New York City newspaper strike began. The strike affected all of the city's major newspapers and it lasted for 114 days.

AVAILABLE SPACE AT 555 In response to COVID, we are working with tenants to offer flexible, built-out space as needed on a short-term basis to help accommodate social distancing needs in the workplace. This could be a few private offices or an entire unit. Tell us what you need and we are happy to help. Need more permanent space? Here’s what’s available: 11th Floor 5,908 RSF, Pre-built C – Available Immediately (Furnished and wired option available) 13th Floor 1,434 RSF, Furnished Pre-built – Available Immediately 19th floor 9,733 RSF, Full-floor white box – Available Immediately If you are interested in any of our available spaces or if you would like us to keep you in mind for future openings, please give us a call. We’re always happy to chat!

Ask Aleisa You have questions. Aleisa has answers. Write to Aleisa for guidance on any concern you have or anything you are simply curious about related to 555 Madison. Write to Aleisa Sulaman with the subject line: Ask Aleisa at [email protected].  Aleisa Sulaman Here’s a recent letter from a colleague and neighbor. Dear Aleisa, I know this is not a typical year, but will 555 still be putting up holiday décor this year? If so, what’s planned? Sincerely, Hoping for Holiday Cheer Dear Hoping for Holiday Cheer,  Like we do every year, we intend to dress up our lobby for the holiday season. We will be draping lights from the lobby windows and will have silver stars hanging from the ceiling. Our florist Charles Terhout will install two 9-foot holiday trees and there will be a beautiful holiday floral arrangement for the front desk. Please do stop by and take pictures.  Best, Aleisa

NEWS TIPS: We also are eager to hear and share your news. Please send story tips and news items about your company and employees for consideration for this newsletter to: [email protected]. Thank you! 

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