Did you know that the Javits Center has a 6.75 acre green roof, hiding atop the building? The 760,000 square-feet Jacob K. Javits Center is the busiest convention center in the United States. Beyond its purpose as a venue, the center places a heavy focus on sustainability initiatives.

In 2014, the Javits Center completed a five-year renovation led by the New York Convention Center Development Corporation, FXFOWLE/Epstein and Tishman Construction. The project focused on upgrading the building’s critical infrastructure, including the installation of new façade, flooring, mechanical and sustainability systems. These upgrades have allowed the building to reduce its energy consumption by 26%, saving millions of dollars in annual energy costs. With its recently completed renovation, the building received LEED Silver certification and is on track to meeting the goal of exceeding New York State’s mandate of reducing energy and water consumption by 20% by the year 2020.

With the installation of more than 6,000 panels of bird-friendly glass and a 6.75-acre green roof – the second largest of its kind in the United States – the building has become a model of sustainability and now serves as a sanctuary to area wildlife. On the green roof, researchers have identified 26 bird species, five bat species, 11 orders of arthropods and 300,000 honeybees.

On this unique tour you will get a behind the scenes look at the center, go on the green roof, meet in house staff and learn how management balances sustainability initiatives while maintaining a $2 billion economic impact operation.

This tour will take place on August 30th at 4 PM. Tickets are free and will be allocated based on lottery. Enter the giveaway below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway