Stephen Schwarzman, chairman of the buyout firm Blackstone Group LP, says that the worldwide economic crisis is hurting consumer response like never before.

Blackstone’s board of directors and executives are the best of the crop.

As a historic building, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building will remain under the authority of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Established in 1985 by industry veterans Peter Peterson and Stephen Schwarzman, the Blackstone Group has been a leading private equity venture since its creation.