Starbucks Reserve® and ESRT: Sustainability That Leases

Two globally recognized brands, Starbucks and Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), came together at the base of the Empire State Building to demonstrate how sustainability drives better spaces for businesses, employees, and customers.

Opened in November 2022, the Starbucks Reserve® Empire State Building store was designed and constructed under ESRT’s high-performance guidelines, which prioritize energy efficiency and responsible resource use. The result is a retail experience that aligns with Starbucks’ ambitious environmental goals and showcases how sustainable buildings support the needs of modern tenants.

The store was also certified as a Starbucks Greener Store, part of the company’s global framework to reduce environmental impact and support its goal to cut carbon, water, and waste footprints in half by 2030.

Watch the full video to learn how Starbucks and ESRT partnered to bring sustainable design to life at the Empire State Building.

Greener Store Design

From the earliest design conversations through construction, Starbucks and ESRT worked together to integrate sustainable strategies that support both operational efficiency and environmental performance.

Key features of the Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store include:

• 100% LED lighting, which significantly reduces energy consumption compared to traditional lighting
• Low-flow water fixtures that conserve water without performance sacrifice
• Mercury-free environments that support safer material choices
• Energy-conscious systems designed to align with ESRT’s building performance standards

These strategies help Starbucks reduce its environmental footprint as it operates within the “World’s Most Famous Building.”

A Partnership Built on Performance

The collaboration between Starbucks and ESRT reflects a shared commitment to sustainability that begins long before doors open to customers. That collaborative process allowed both teams to align on building systems, materials, and operational strategies that support long-term environmental performance.

Sustainability Leadership at the Empire State Building

ESRT is widely recognized as a global leader in sustainable building operations. The Empire State Building is consistently ranked among the most energy-efficient in the United States, supported by industry-leading certifications and performance standards.

Through initiatives like the Empire State Building’s innovative deep energy retrofit and ESRT’s portfolio-wide efficiency programs, the company continues to demonstrate how historic buildings can deliver modern sustainability performance.

For tenants, these investments translate into tangible benefits like lower operating costs, efficient building systems, and healthy workplace environments in the heart of New York City.

Location, Experience, and Efficiency

Located at the base of the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, the Starbucks Reserve® Empire State Building store benefits from the building’s unmatched accessibility and amenities.

The property offers convenient access to major transit hubs, world-class retail, and the iconic Empire State Building Observation Deck, voted the #1 Top Attraction in New York City by Tripadvisor travelers for four consecutive years.

For tenants like Starbucks, the location supports both customer experience and operational efficiency.

Sustainability That Leases

With high-performance, healthy buildings, premier locations, and collaborative tenant partnerships, ESRT continues to attract leading global brands that value efficient workplaces and retail environments.

Together, Starbucks and ESRT demonstrate how thoughtful design and shared environmental goals can create spaces that work well for businesses and customers.