When it comes to sustainability in New York City’s iconic skyline, innovation and compliance often go hand-in-hand. At Wall Street Plaza, home to the 88 Pine Street tower, both goals have been achieved in spectacular fashion. In partnership with NGS, the building has become the first in NYC to install Solar Gard® window film—a groundbreaking project that’s cutting energy costs, meeting Local Law 97 standards, and setting an example for others to follow.
Read this Story on Crain's New York
The Challenge: Preserve the View, Cut the Heat
88 Pine Street is known for its sweeping glass façade designed by I.M. Pei & Partners—a design treasure that also posed a costly problem. Sunlight poured in year-round, spiking cooling costs and pushing emissions toward thresholds that could trigger six-figure annual fines under Local Law 97.
A major retrofit like replacing windows would have altered the building’s signature look and carried a high price tag. Wall Street Plaza needed a solution that preserved aesthetics, controlled heat gain, and delivered a measurable return.
Wall Street Plaza
The Solution: Solar Gard® Window Film
NGS recommended and installed Solar Gard® solar control window film—a nearly invisible technology that dramatically reduces solar heat gain while keeping daylight and views intact. This was the first project in the city to use this product in such a large-scale commercial application.
As Robert Donohue, Director of Property Management at Wall Street Plaza, put it:
“88 Pine is the first building in the city to use solar film this way. Con Edison is very excited about this.”
NGS window film crew installing Solar Gard at 88 Pine
The Results
The project’s impact is clear:
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$650,000 rebate from Con Edison—offsetting nearly half of installation costs
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$200,000+ in projected annual energy savings—reducing cooling loads
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Local Law 97 compliance—avoiding costly annual penalties
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Enhanced occupant comfort—less glare and more consistent temperatures
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a story about saving money—it’s about proving what’s possible. Wall Street Plaza’s Solar Gard® project is a model for how large commercial buildings can embrace sustainability without sacrificing character or incurring prohibitive costs.
By being first, Wall Street Plaza has created a blueprint that others can follow—keeping NYC’s skyline beautiful and making it greener at the same time.
Thinking About Your Building’s Future?
If your property is facing rising energy costs or Local Law 97 compliance challenges, NGS can help you find a smart, cost-effective solution. Contact us today to start your building’s transformation!
