Jeff Mickler, CEO of locally based Jacob White Construction Co., says the complex's roof is much like flower beds that remain intact during windstorms. "They have a bunch of plants with a bunch of roots that hold down," he points out. "Those roofs are like little legs and they dig deep."
Unlike flat roofs, green roofs don't have small edges overlapping the sides of a building. "There's nothing for the wind to grab into," Mickler says.
In addition, the office buildings at 251 Medical Center Blvd. were the location of choice for medical tenants and their families during the worst of the hurricane. "They felt it was the safest place to be during the storm," says Timothy Gregory, manager of business development with Transwestern's Houston office, who is handling leasing for the complex.
With no repairs necessary for 251 Medical Center Blvd., Mickler's company plans to break ground within the week on 253 Medical Center Blvd., a 100% preleased building that also will have a green roof and other green attributes. In addition, the developer also plans to break ground on a similar 35,000-sf building along the Gulf Freeway in the next 60 days.
Mickler declined to discuss actual construction costs for the buildings, but he tells GlobeSt.com that costs for green projects tend to be 1% to 8% higher than standard construction costs, depending on the type of LEED certification. But, given savings on the back end and in light of the design's strength during the hurricane, Mickler hopes similar buildings will go onto the drawing board.
"We're ecstatic at how the property came through the hurricane," Mickler says. "We showed that a green roof held up well in a Cat Two or Three wind. We need more of them."
Meanwhile in Houston's CBD, Hines vice president George Lancaster says the 1.3-million-sf JPMorgan Chase Tower at 600 Travis St. will be open for business today, at least partially. "The offices from floors one to 40 on the east side won't be functional, but everything else will be open," he says.
Lancaster couldn't provide a timeline as to when office on the east side will be reopened because it hinges on how quickly glass can be shipped and installed. He says Hines is willing to work to relocate displaced tenants if needed. But right now, he says that many tenants are still in the assessment phase.
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