Hines Consolidates Sustained Excellence Spot with New LEED Certification

By Georgiana Mihaila, Associate Editor

International real estate firm Hines, recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) with the 2012 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment, is living up to its reputation.

The Atlanta office of Hines has proudly announced that the Atlanta Financial Center—acquired by the company in 2001—has received Silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings rating system. With a current ENERGY STAR rating of 76, Atlanta Financial Center is 24 percent more energy efficient and annually saves more than $630,000 in energy costs when compared to the average U.S. office building. This translates to estimated annual greenhouse gas reductions equivalent to removing 787 passenger vehicles from the road.

Built in phases throughout the 1980s, the 900,000-square-foot office building, set in the heart of Buckhead, is 83 percent leased to a notable tenant roster including Morris, Manning & Martin LLP, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, Prudential Insurance Company of America, Robert Half International, Inc., and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. Its green features and programs include alternative transportation options for commuters, a notable local partnership with Sustainable Buckhead and the Buckhead Area Transportation Management Association, an ongoing electronic recycling program, a comprehensive recycling program (including landscape and construction waste), energy-efficient lighting with reduced mercury content, environmentally sensitive cleaning products and practices, and reduction of water use through the utilization of low-flow fixtures.

“Certification of Atlanta Financial Center is a testament to our forward-thinking tenants.  Their support of our sustainability programs is the key to the successful implementation of important green initiatives,” said Hines general manager Brian Eichenseer in an official statement.

Hines will be officially recognized for leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 15 in an event that marks the 20th anniversary of ENERGY STAR. This is the eighth time Hines has been recognized by the EPA and the fifth time Hines has received the Sustained Excellence Award.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Hines