The building's owner, New York City-based Tishman Speyer Properties, says it utilized approximately 15% of recycled materials in building Two Alliance Center, then recycled at least 75% of its construction waste. Also, 25% of construction materials were extracted or manufactured within 500 miles of the building site, reducing carbon emissions from transportation.

Other sustainable design elements to the $85-million building, which features a curved design similar to a sail, include savings of 20% in energy costs and 40% of water use, along with a commitment to recycling building waste and using green housekeeping supplies. Tishman Speyer will also buy renewal energy certificates equal to 35% of its annual core and shell energy usage at Two Alliance Center.

"Developers are being challenged by the community at large to build in ways that do the least possible damage to the environment," Rob Speyer, president and co-CEO of Tishman Speyer, stated in a release. "Likewise, many commercial tenants have high expectations and want to do business with landlords who are responsible in the way they use energy and otherwise operate their properties."