New York-- Brookfield Office Properties Inc. reported that physical evaluations have been completed on its portfolio of office buildings in New York as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Preliminary reports indicate water, window and other associated collateral damage are minimal at most of Brookfield's Manhattan buildings.
The World Financial Center, the company's largest asset in Manhattan, suffered limited collateral damage from the storm. In anticipation of the storm, all properties were powered down. Power has been restored in all of Brookfield's office towers at the complex which was recently renamed Brookfield Place.
The retail areas at the center have also been reopened and the Winter Garden is fully operational. The company invites workers, residents and visitors in Lower Manhattan to utilize the shops and common public areas as other retailers in the area remain closed.
One Liberty Plaza, located at Broadway and Liberty Street, also sustained minor collateral damage from the storm. The building is currently without power due to Con Edison's shutdown of service in the area but is ready to reopen once power returns. Brookfield is working closely with Con Edison on a prompt restoration of power.
Flooding took place in the sublevels of One New York Plaza; Brookfield's other holding in Lower Manhattan. At this point, water removal from the sublevels is substantially underway and Brookfield is taking all necessary steps to bring One New York Plaza online as quickly as possible.
There are no problems reported at Brookfield properties in Midtown Manhattan or Boston and Washington D.C., Brookfield's other major markets on the eastern U.S. seaboard.
Brookfield has been in contact with its tenants and employees to ensure they are aware of the current situation at their respective buildings.