The Latest

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  On site: Checking in at the Waldorf Astoria’s $2B renovation

  Boston-based Suffolk plans to complete the hotel portion of the restoration at the iconic New York City landmark later this year, according to the contractor.

  Development

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  Sponsored by Just Walk Out technology by Amazon

  Beyond the break room: transforming workplace amenities with autonomous retail

  From break-time bottlenecks to 24/7 access—how food at work is changing.

  Technology

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  Life sciences struggles with oversupply in Q1, but upsides exist, experts say

  Building owners with higher vacancy rates are increasingly shifting their attention to alternative end users, like AI firms. Downsizing and more efficient space use could help alleviate oversupply, CBRE and JLL reports say. 

  Development

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  Targeted investment, tech can sustain critical infrastructure

  To help communities bounce back after disaster, jurisdictions must identify gaps in lifeline systems and cost-effective ways to mend them, panelists at the Building Innovation 2025 conference said.

  Sustainability

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  Meta signs geothermal power deal for New Mexico data centers

  The tech and social media giant entered an agreement with XGS Energy to help develop 150 MW of geothermal power generation.

  Sustainability

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  Bladeless ceiling fan maker touts design’s energy, air quality benefits

  Pulling cool, dry air from the floor and redistributing it across the room can save operators money while improving indoor air quality, a bladeless fan manufacturer says.

  Sustainability

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  How the potential end of Energy Star could affect building operators

  The demise of the widely-used program could lead to a massive disruption in building operations, experts say.

  Sustainability

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  Opinion

  ICE preparedness is crucial for hoteliers in 2025

  As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns spread nationwide, hotels should prioritize tools and training to create a safe environment for workers and guests alike.

  Operations

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  ASHRAE, ICC open second review period for building lifecycle emissions standard

  The proposed joint standard seeks to establish a methodology for quantifying embodied and operational greenhouse gas emissions across the lifecycle of buildings and their sites.

  Compliance

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  Microgrids keep the lights on for wildfire-prone California facilities

  But federal tax changes under consideration in Congress could make microgrids more expensive for schools and localities that provide services during emergencies.

  Operations

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  Opinion

  New ASCE codes aim to provide vital flood protection

  The American Society of Civil Engineers’ updated standards mark a major shift in approach for design and construction in flood hazard areas, according to a floodplain manager.

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  50% tariff hike imposed on freezers, other appliances

  The Trump administration is raising the price of foreign products to aid the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers.

  Operations

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  Vendors streamline integrations as operators seek unified systems: Realcomm IBcon

  Attendees at the real estate tech conference last week said they’re looking for concrete operational AI use cases that integrate smart building technology with other systems. 

  Technology

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  Workplace injuries are declining, but costs are climbing, Travelers report finds

  Increasing retirement ages, ongoing turnover and longer injury recovery times have contributed to the cost increases, an executive for the firm said.

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  Gettysburg quishing scam highlights facilities’ vulnerability

  Parking services are sometimes a target. Scammers are using QR codes to redirect people away from legitimate payment methods, safety bulletins say.

  Health & Safety

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  Facility pilot projects should move quickly and focus on value, not cost: experts

  To avoid getting stuck in the demonstration process, building operators should build a plan around pilot projects and ensure they solve business needs, speakers at Realcomm IBcon said. 

  Technology

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  Amazon expands recycled water use at US data centers

  The company will use recycled water to cool its data centers at 120 of its locations by 2030 as it works to grapple with the environmental demands of the energy-intensive operations.

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  Is climate-responsive paint a future reality?

  An inventor used thermochromic pigment to create paint that darkens in cold weather and lightens in warm weather, resulting in interior temperature changes that could curb building energy costs, CNN reports.

  Sustainability

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  Carrier completes DOE cold climate heat pump challenge

  The HVAC maker says its unit is capable of operating at 100% heating capacity down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

  Technology

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  ‘Earn-and-learn’ programs such as apprenticeships benefit workers and employers, GAO says

  Employers cited barriers such as administrative burden and cost, but some federal agencies have launched new initiatives to address these challenges.

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  Honeywell launches Connected Solutions to link building systems

  The AI-powered building management system provides facility managers with remote monitoring and diagnostics and predictive maintenance prompts. It can be installed in only a few hours, the company says.

  Technology

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  Using energy-as-a-service to lower costs, add predictability

  The model can work on a per-therm basis as much as a per-kilowatt-hour basis for companies that generate a lot of waste heat, says Charlie Lord of Renew Energy Partners.  

  Operations

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  High-tech amenities can draw people to the office but management complexity increases, experts say

  Golf simulators and AV conference rooms are good – until they need a specialist to fix, speakers at Realcomm IBCon said.

  Technology

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  Hotel carbon monoxide alarm rule reintroduced in Congress

  The Stay Safe Act would require carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in every hotel and short-term rental room in the country.

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  Former school district facilities chief directed $2M in HVAC work to shell company, DA alleges

  Scott Unger resigned as Lawrence Union Free School District facilities director after he came under investigation for steering money to himself, according to the Nassau County District Attorney in New York.

  Compliance

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  ICE building sites raids stoke fear, uncertainty

  Law enforcement officers arrested construction workers in San Antonio, New Orleans and Tallahassee, Florida, last week.

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