NEW YORK CITY-Homeowners in Zeckendorf Towers,the very recognizable 29-story, 647-unit pyramid-topped buildingthat led the revitalization of Union Square more than 20 years ago,have voted overwhelmingly to become the largest completelysmoke-free condominium in New York City—and likely the nation.

Of those unit owners casting ballots, 83.5% voted in favor ofthe amendment to prohibit smoking in both residential units andpublic areas for all new residents, with a grandfather clausegranting existing owner-residents who smoke a three-year intervalbefore their units are subject to the smoke-free policy. A record85% of unit owners voted on the policy, making it the strongestvoting turnout in the building's history.

The vote makes Zeckendorf Towers the largest non-smokingresidential property—including condominium, cooperative, and rentalbuildings—in the tower, and maybe even across the country. Whileseveral new condominiums in New York City have prohibited smokingsince their opening, Zeckendorf Towers is one of only a handful ofcondominiums whose unit owners have voted to transition theirbuilding to smoke-free status.