The Empire State Building Gets a 9,100 sq. ft. Green Roof by Xero Flor

The <a href="http://www.esbnyc.com/" target="_blank">Empire State Building</a> is already a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/empire-state-building-achieves-leed-gold-certification/" target="_blank">LEED Gold-certified NYC icon</a>, but it recently got even more eco-friendly with the installation of a new green roof. Installed by <a href="http://www.xeroflora.com/" target="_blank">Xero Flor America</a>, the planted area is actually made up of four separate green roofs spanning 9,100 square feet. Aside from adding to the building’s energy efficiency, the garden roofs also feature <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/each-urbanspace-office-comes-with-its-own-rooftop-farm-plot/" target="_blank">rooftop patios for occupants to enjoy</a>.

Xero Flor infused four rooftops on the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/top-6-green-skyscrapers-in-new-york-city/" target="_blank">Empire State Building</a>, adding green gardens on the 21st floor east, 21st floor west, 25th floor northwest and the 30th floor west.

Tenants on the 21 st floor can enjoy their own personal sky garden, with a terrace and patio furniture to take lunch breaks with breathtaking views.

All of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/amazing-green-roof-art-school-in-singapore/" target="_blank">green roofs</a> function as stormwater run-off filters, helping to naturally cleanse rain before it makes it way to New York’s waterways.

The variety of plants also filter dust and pollutants, help absorb solar gain, and reduce greenhouse gases. The Xero Flor system is made up of pre-vegetated mats that are rolled out and joined together, creating a green carpet. Succulents, ferns, and other greens that can be maintained in New York’s climate are joined together.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/new-leed-seeking-conrad-hotel-brings-a-rooftop-garden-to-battery-park/welcome-to-the-conrad-new-york/" target="_blank">green roof installation</a> is part of the Empire State Building’s new investments in energy-efficiency upgrades that will including retrofitting, improving public areas and infrastructure upgrades.

Adding green roofs to the New York icon sends a green message, and hopefully will inspire other buildings in the city to transform their roofs into their own sustainable garden oases in the sky.