San Francisco's 525 Market Street Achieves New Record for LEED Gold Certification

9 Dec, 2009, San Francisco

Cushman & Wakefield today announced that 525 Market Street has been awarded LEED® Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The distinction marks the largest-ever Gold level certification for an existing high-rise office building on the U.S. West Coast, at gross square footage of 1,161,736. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED®) is the USGBC's rating system for designing and constructing the world's greenest, most energy efficient and high performing buildings.

"Delivering the U.S. West Coast's largest LEED® Gold Certification for an existing high-rise office building is a monumental achievement that personifies the vision and commitment of 525 Market Street's owners and the determination of the Cushman & Wakefield management team that made it happen," said Aline Hsu Singman, the General Manager. "We would like to offer our sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in achieving this important milestone."

"Building operations are nearly 40% of the solution to the global climate change challenge," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "While climate change is a global problem, innovative companies like the ownership of 525 Market Street and its property management team are addressing it through local solutions."

525 Market Street is an internationally known 38-story office tower located in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District. For the past nine years, the building has been awarded the prestigious ENERGY STAR by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its superior energy efficiency.

Under the direction of the ownership and utilizing Cushman & Wakefield's sustainability practices, the building recently embarked on the LEED® certification process to further reduce its carbon footprint. The property underwent major lighting retrofits of lamps and ballasts throughout tenant occupied spaces and common areas as well as mechanical and garage areas. In addition, substantial investments were made in high efficiency upgrades and/or replacements of the building's operating systems, including chillers, boilers and water heaters.

Additional sustainable highlights of 525 Market Streets LEED® certification include:

Retrofits of indoor water fixtures and fittings resulted in 20% reduction of water usage.
525 Market Street purchased certified offsite renewable energy equivalent to 50% of its annual energy use.
The Building and its tenants reuse, recycle and compost more than 70% of the ongoing consumable waste stream. In addition, more than 70% of the waste was diverted from construction from landfill and incineration disposal.
Outdoor air ventilation rates to all occupied spaces are at least 30% above the minimum rates required, substantially improving indoor air quality for the occupants.
An effective custodial program was given the highest rating in its category with green cleaning practices incorporating usage of HEPA filtered vacuum cleaners and microfiber dust cloths. 90% of the cleaning products purchased contain high recycled content or meet rigorous EPA and Green Seal standards for sustainability.
Over 87% of occupants use public transportation and alternative methods of transportation to commute to work.
The ownership, property management and leasing team have made extensive efforts to educate building occupants about sustainability through an Earth Day Green Fair and educational newsletters promoting LEED practices.

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