HOUSTON, TX — Skanska, a development and construction company, announces that its Class A trophy tower at 1500 Lamar Street in Downtown Houston has been awarded LEED Platinum V4 certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Through design, construction, and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable.
The distinction for the trophy tower, which is located on Discovery Green park and recognized as one of Houston’s most sustainable office buildings, marks the 12th Platinum certification of a Skanska-developed project in the United States — joining notable developments such as 2+U in Seattle, Washington, 121 Seaport in Boston, Massachusetts, plus Beverly Hills’ first LEED Platinum office building, 9000 Wilshire.
"We are pleased to continue growing the number of LEED Platinum-certified commercial properties across the Skanska family of commercial assets — a significant achievement for the tower and one that Skanska never takes for granted," said Brandon Hendricks, Manager for Skanska USA Commercial Development in Houston. "Sustainable development is at the forefront of our company’s corporate pillars, and this fifth LEED Platinum designation in Houston further speaks to how seriously we take that commitment with each and every project upon which we break ground.”
The Discovery Green high-rise, renamed the Norton Rose Fulbright Tower at 1550 Lamar earlier this year, achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Green buildings allow companies to operate more sustainably and give the people inside them a healthier, more comfortable space to work. To round out its health and wellness programming the building is in pursuit of WELL Platinum, WiredScore Platinum, and Fitwel certifications. Its current tenants include international law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, along with global management consulting firm, Boston Consulting Group, and Houston-based litigation and arbitration law firm Hicks Johnson.
“The work of innovative building projects like 1550 on the Green is a fundamental driving force in transforming the way our buildings are built, designed, and operated,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, USGBC. “Buildings that achieve LEED certification are lowering carbon emissions, reducing operating costs, and conserving resources while prioritizing sustainable practices and human health. Because of [partners like] Skanska, we are increasing the number of green buildings and getting closer to USGBC’s goal to outpace conventional buildings, while being environmentally and socially responsible and improving quality of life for generations to come.”
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Certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to ensure the space is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability. More than 111,857 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 12 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and in more than 186 countries and territories.
