Six new Irvine Company office projects only in nation to receive ‘Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR’ so far in 2017
Last year, the company developed three of the 11 office projects nationally that earned the EPA designation
IRVINE, Calif. (Aug. 29, 2017) — Irvine Company Office Properties can add another energy efficiency distinction to its resume – the only company in America with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” rating for new office construction so far in 2017.
The company, which already owns and operates the largest number of energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR certified office buildings in the nation, earned the accolades for the new 21-story 400 Spectrum Center high-rise in Irvine and five, six-story buildings at Santa Clara Square in Silicon Valley. Together, the buildings offer more than 1.5 million square feet of new construction.
The new buildings scored an average 92 out of 100 on the ENERGY STAR efficiency scale and are expected to perform among the top 10 percent of all buildings in the U.S. after they open in fall, according to the EPA.
“We have been committed to building and operating the most efficient buildings possible as part of our commitment to environmental stewardship and best business practices,” said Rich Bluth, Irvine Company’s vice president of Energy Management. “Energy efficiency and sustainability are among the many facets of our business strategy to deliver cost savings, leverage our scale and deliver long-term value to our customers. We are honored to have received such prestigious recognition for our newest workplace communities.”
Collectively, in 2016, the company’s 113 ENERGY STAR certified buildings received an average ENERGY STAR score of 88. The numerical score represents a building’s percentile ranking among all buildings that participate in the nationwide program; a building that scores a 75 or higher on the EPA’s 1–100 scale may be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification.
This isn’t the first time the company’s new projects have achieved the recognition. Last year, 11 office projects nationally earned the distinction – and three were developed by Irvine Company: two buildings at Sand Canyon Business Center and Eastgate Terrace in La Jolla UTC.
In 2015, 200 Spectrum Center – the 21-story sister of 400 Spectrum Center – was one of just four new office buildings in the U.S. and the only one in California to earn the “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” recognition for new construction. This is one of the reasons the new high-rise building has become a highly sought-after address. It is already 93-percent leased.
In 2014, Irvine Company’s One La Jolla Center, a 15-story Class A office building in San Diego’s La Jolla UTC, was one of only four office buildings in the country and the only high-rise in California to earn the same distinction for new construction.
Irvine Company’s office portfolio also includes the first fleet of hybrid-electric buildings in the world. And the company is the No. 1 owner of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-certified office buildings in California.
About Irvine Company Office Properties
Irvine Company has evolved the traditional office to something much more: a vibrant workplace community. A place where collaboration is encouraged and creativity is enabled to elevate business success. The company owns and manages 500 premier coastal California workplace communities in Orange County, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley and San Diego, as well as trophy towers in Chicago and New York. Its timeless design and quality craftsmanship is consistent with its long-term view and pride of ownership.