Nomad Tower Becomes First East Coast Office Building to Adopt Energy-Saving Window Tech

Global Holdings completes a first-of-its-kind glass-only retrofit at the Class A office tower, enhancing tenant comfort and meeting sustainability goals.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:38pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a collection of polished, geometric shapes in muted tones, conceptually representing the abstract ideas of corporate strategy, energy efficiency, and sustainable real estate.A conceptual studio still life captures the premium materials and elegant design of an energy-efficient window retrofit that is transforming a landmark New York City office tower.Manhattan Today

Global Holdings, an international real estate firm led by Chairman and Founder Eyal Ofer, has announced the first implementation of its kind on the East Coast and in New York City. The company is replacing over 2,000 single-pane windows at the 39-story Nomad Tower with a transparent insulation system from LuxWall, delivering up to 18 times greater insulation performance and reducing overall building energy use by 20 percent.

Why it matters

The retrofit reflects a broader shift in New York City's office market toward higher-performing, energy-efficient buildings. It provides a cost-effective pathway for building owners to meet Local Law 97 compliance and enhance tenant comfort without the disruption of a full façade replacement.

The details

The LuxWall Transparent Insulation system achieves an R-value of 18, far exceeding the performance of traditional single-pane glazing. It also reduces outdoor/indoor sound transmission by up to 30 percent, creating a quieter and more stable indoor environment. The upgrade is expected to have a payback period of under five years, with support from city utility incentive programs.

  • Global Holdings purchased Nomad Tower in 2016.
  • In 2019, the firm completed a $55 million renovation of the building.
  • Earlier this year, Global Holdings secured a $450 million refinancing deal for Nomad Tower.
  • The LuxWall retrofit installation is currently underway, with completion expected by summer 2026.

The players

Global Holdings

An international real estate development and investment firm led by Chairman and Founder Eyal Ofer.

Nomad Tower

A 39-story, Class A office tower located in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood, originally built in 1969 and designed by Shreve Lamb & Harmon.

LuxWall

A company that provides Transparent Insulation technology, delivering wall-like thermal performance in a lightweight, 8-mm profile.

Ian Morrell

Vice President of Operations at Global Holdings.

Scott Thomsen

CEO and Founder of LuxWall.

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What they’re saying

“We're confident this technology will deliver meaningful savings and further elevate the tenant experience we've worked tirelessly to create at Nomad Tower. As the first office developer on the East Coast to adopt it, we're proud to be leading the way.”

— Ian Morrell, Vice President of Operations, Global Holdings

“Building owners have historically been forced to work around the limitations of conventional glazing, where their exterior walls are insulated and their windows are uninsulated. Transparent Insulation changes that notion. Our LuxWall Transparent Insulation gives owners a practical way to address and solve the single largest source of energy loss in the building envelope, without compromising transparency or disrupting operations.”

— Scott Thomsen, CEO & Founder, LuxWall

What’s next

The LuxWall retrofit installation is currently underway at Nomad Tower, with completion expected by summer 2026.

The takeaway

This project highlights how innovative building technologies can help office owners in New York City meet sustainability goals and enhance tenant comfort without the disruption and cost of a full façade replacement, providing a model for other developers to follow.