# Sustainable Skyscraper Retrofits Empire State Building to Receive King Kong Size Upgrade By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-03-05 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-skyscraper-retrofits References: [greenerbuildings](http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2010/03/03/tall-order-serious-materials-retrofit-empire-state-buildings-windows) & [seriouswindows](http://www.seriouswindows.com/empire-state-building/home.html) As part of a series of [sustainable skyscraper retrofits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sudameris-plaza), Serious Materials is transforming the 6,500 dual-pane windows of the Empire State Building into [super-insulating windows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miter-brands). The Serious retrofit will reduce energy use by 38% and make the iconic skyscraper more energy efficient than 90% of office buildings. [Carbon dioxide reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/usgbc) equivalent to 17,500 cars annually and 105,000 metric tons will be realized over 15 years. Annual energy savings of $4.4 million will result in a retrofit payback time of 3 years--an environmental revitalization savings that would make King Kong proud. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 6% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sustainable Skyscraper Retrofits:** Opportunities for companies specialized in green energy and retrofitting existing buildings to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. - **Super-insulating Windows:** Innovative window technologies that can significantly increase a building's energy efficiency by reducing heat loss and gain. - **Energy Efficient Office Buildings:** Shift towards making offices and commercial buildings more energy efficient to reduce carbon footprint and operational costs. ### Who This Affects Most - **Green Energy:** Companies that specialize in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower, as they are often used in retrofitting projects. - **Construction and Retrofitting Services:** The construction industry is a key player in retrofitting existing buildings to make them more energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions. - **Smart Building Technologies:** Innovative technologies such as building automation systems, IoT sensors and energy management software can help optimize building performance and reduce energy usage. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Energy Efficient Mall Redesigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skylight-galleria.md) - [Rejuvenated Former Bank Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/former-bank-building.md) - [Efficient Window Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miter-brands.md) - [High-Performance Insulated Glass](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/climatech.md) - [Squid-Inspired Smart Windows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquidfilled-panel.md) - [Self-Cooling Exterior Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/promenade-building.md) - [Building Decarbonization Rating Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/usgbc.md) - [Energetic Green Retail Makeovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/longchamp-store.md) - [Rooftop Walkway-Topped Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shenzhen-energy-ring.md)