Global development and construction firm Skanska announced today that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recognized Bank of America Tower, Skanska’s premier office development in Downtown Houston, as the first LEED v4 Platinum Core & Shell certified project in the United States.
With a total of 780,000 square feet, the tower, which is the first commercial office development in Houston to achieve LEED Platinum under the USGBC’s current Core & Shell certification program, has also been recognized as the largest LEED v4 Platinum Core & Shell project in the world.
“We are honored that Bank of America Tower has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council as the first LEED v4 Platinum Core & Shell certified project in the United States,” said Matt Damborsky, executive vice president for Skanska’s commercial development operations in Houston. “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. We are proud that this groundbreaking development ranks among the most sustainable in the country and believe Bank of America Tower is a shining example of the future of sustainable development in Houston.”
Located at 800 Capitol St., Bank of America Tower is the most sustainable office tower in Houston, using 32 percent 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 Houston to be open to all building tenants, as well as:
- 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 percent access to daylight and views for tenants;
- a high-performance façade 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, which lowers cooling costs and offers unlimited service capacity to tenants.
Designed by architectural firm Gensler, Bank of America Tower offers 754,000 square feet of highly sustainable office space and over 35,000 square feet of engaging public space at Understory, an inviting, open-air community hub that includes a full-service restaurant and a 9,000-square-foot culinary market with seven diverse chef-driven concepts and a cocktail bar.
Tenants at Bank of America Tower also have access to The Assembly, a 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art conference and private events center that features three dynamic 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
- 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. West Memorial Place offers direct access to the Terry Hershey Park hike and bike trails. Skanska also developed 3009 Post Oak, a 302,000-square-foot office building in the premier Uptown Houston location at Post Oak Blvd. and Hidalgo.
Skanska has built and restored local landmarks in Houston for decades, ranging from historic renovations, like San Jacinto Memorial Building on the Houston Community College campus, to the new construction of world-class sports facilities including NRG Stadium, and invaluable healthcare resources like 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.