Bank of America Tower is First LEED Platinum Core/Shell Project
US Green Building Council has recognized Bank of America Tower, Skanska’s downtown office development, as the first LEED v4 Platinum Core and Shell certified project in the United States.
HOUSTON—US Green Building Council/USGBC has recognized Bank of America Tower, Skanska’s downtown office development, as the first LEED v4 Platinum Core and Shell certified project in the United States. The tower totals 780,000 square feet from its location at 800 Capitol St.
“Sustainability is fundamental to Skanska’s DNA as a global developer and contractor, and we are always looking to push the envelope when it comes to sustainable design and function,” said Matt Damborsky, executive vice president for Skanska USA Commercial Development in Houston. “We believe Bank of America Tower is a shining example of the future of sustainable development in Houston.”
Bank of America Tower uses 32% less energy than typical baseline facilities. The development’s sustainable features include the 24,000-square-foot SkyPark, the first and largest green roof in downtown to be open to all building tenants.
“This recognition from the US Green Building Council officially acknowledges Bank of America Tower as a sustainable leader on the global stage and sets a new standard for sustainable development in Houston,” Damborsky tells GlobeSt.com. “At Skanska, we’re proud to remain on the cutting edge of sustainable office development and focus on developing projects that make a positive impact on our customers and our communities. Bank of America Tower exemplifies our approach of thoughtful placemaking, best-in-class amenities and sustainable, forward-thinking design which create a healthy working environment where our tenants and the community can grow and thrive.”
Other noteworthy features include a 50,000-gallon rainwater collection system for reuse in landscape irrigation and restrooms, secured bicycle storage room with access to lockers and showers, one block proximity to three MetroRail stations, 90% access to daylight and views, a high-performance facade that significantly reduces solar heat gain, an energy recovery wheel to precondition fresh air intake, and district cooling to provide chilled water throughout the facility to lower cooling costs and offer unlimited service capacity to tenants.
There are four key goals that guided USGBC’s technical development process for the LEED v4.1 Building Design + Construction and Interior Design + Construction rating systems. These goals are to ensure leadership, increase accessibility, expand the market and measure performance, GlobeSt.com learns.
Designed by architectural firm Gensler, Bank of America Tower has 754,000 square feet of office space and more than 35,000 square feet of public space at Understory. This open-air community hub includes a full-service restaurant and a 9,000-square-foot culinary market.
Tenants at Bank of America Tower also have access to The Assembly, a 10,000-square-foot conference and private events center that features three meeting venues. The Assembly is connected on the 12th level to the SkyPark.
Current tenants at Bank of America Tower include Skanska, Bank of America, Winston and Strawn, Waste Management and Quantum Energy Partners.
Skanska’s other developments in Houston include the two-building West Memorial Place project, which is the first LEED Platinum campus in the Energy Corridor. Skanska also developed 3009 Post Oak, a 302,000-square-foot office building in the Uptown Houston location at Post Oak Boulevard and Hidalgo.
Skanska has built and restored local landmarks in Houston for decades, ranging from historic renovations, such as the San Jacinto Memorial Building on the Houston Community College campus to the new construction of sports facilities including NRG Stadium and the expansion of LBJ General Hospital’s emergency department. Skanska continues to leverage its local knowledge and global expertise to shape the region’s commercial, healthcare, sports and entertainment facilities.