Hines’ 800 Fifth Avenue in downtown Seattle has received Platinum certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings (EB) rating system. This marks the 12th building developed or managed by Hines to receive this designation. 800 Fifth Avenue is a 42-story, 1.2 million-square-foot office tower developed in 1981 by Hines, which still co-owns the property, along with J.P. Morgan.
To elevate the nearly 35-year old property from Gold to Platinum, new green features were implemented by the in-house property and engineering management teams with assistance from the consulting firm Sebesta. Landscape enhancements included new native plantings and new irrigation controls that monitor soil-moisture levels. The project also secured the maximum number of transportation credits.
In addition to earning LEED, the property has earned the ENERGY STAR label every year since 2005. With a current rating of 92, the campus is 44 percent more energy efficient than an average U.S. office building.
Hines Vice President of Property Management Kathy O’Kelley said, “Achieving LEED Platinum is a testament to the value of applying solid, proactive operating principles to create efficiencies, cost savings and long-term value. With this achievement, the local project team demonstrates to our owners, tenants, prospective tenants and the community that this property is being managed to the highest standard of excellence.”
Hines Senior Managing Director and Global Sustainability Officer Gary Holtzer added, “Continuous improvement by the on-site Hines staff was at the core of moving this building from LEED Gold to Platinum.”
Photo courtesy of Hines