More green building projects sprouting up in Chicago

by Jim Collins Oct 03, 2007

Building green is not just environmentally friendly; it’s also a smart business decision.New developments like Eco18, a 12-story mixed-use building at 1818 S. Wabash Ave., are using their sustainable features as selling points to potential tenants.

“They are trying to differentiate themselves, and they are using it in their marketing,” said Hill Burgess, director of Wight and Company, the Darien, Ill.-based architectural firm that designed the South Loop building.

Eco18’s Web site boasts an 11,250 square foot green roof, lower electricity bills and a solar thermal hot water system. The building is one of many in Chicago now seeking certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, a nationally accepted benchmark for green design. Doug Widener, executive director of the Chicago chapter of the green building council, said Chicago is more active in LEED certification than any other city, with about 200 developments either registered or certified as LEED buildings.

“It’s definitely on the forefront in Chicago,” Widener said. The City of Chicago is adding to the trend with its mandate that all new public buildings are built with LEED certification. The city also offers an expedited building permit process to developers seeking this designation. Hines, developer of the 60-story tower being built on the Chicago River at 300 N. LaSalle St., is also using its green design to gain an edge in the office market. Signs in front of the construction site claim the new building will help “save on energy and water costs by maximizing efficiency” and “increase productivity by maximizing the use of natural light.” Aaron Bowman, Hines’ construction manager, said LEED certification is a definite selling advantage, as many tenants now expect environmentally friendly buildings.

He said the designation is now becoming a standard for all Hines high-rise developments.“It comes down to three things – it’s marketing, it’s becoming our protocol and it’s the right thing to do,” Bowman said. The office tower’s green features include a significant amount of natural light, a green roof and the use of Chicago River water as condenser water, which eliminates the need for traditional cooling towers. As the anchor tenant of the building, Chicago law firm Kirkland and Ellis will occupy about half of the 1.3 million square feet. Senior partner Kevin Evanich said the green design helped fulfill both economic and ethical desires for the firm.LEED certification uses a rating system to evaluate applicants in five areas – sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Buildings can receive silver, gold and platinum certificates.Burgess said developments can achieve silver certificates with little or no additional costs. Gold and platinum may require more investment, but Burgess said the energy-efficient design should eventually pay off. Wight and Company has completed six LEED certified developments, and has 11 LEED projects currently in the works. “The market is really picking up on this,” Burgess said. “It’s quickly becoming the norm.”

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