The Chicago FBI Headquarters has become the world’s first LEED EBOM project to earn Platinum level certification. Under the prior iteration for certifying existing buildings, what we refer to as LEED-EB, approximately 14 projects received LEED Platinum; however, FBI Chicago Headquarters is the first to receive the USGBC’s highest level of certification under LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EBOM). To date, though, only about six projects have been certified under EBOM since its inception in early 2008.
The 430k square foot structure is located at 2111 West Roosevelt in Chicago, Illinois. Although we haven’t been able to view the certification checklist, the building is sure to capture some attention in corporate circles for its achievement. It’s owned by USAA Real Estate Company, a company that owns two of six properties currently certified under the EBOM program.
While nowhere near as sexy and attention-grabbing as LEED for New Construction, the EBOM program allows building owners and property managers to consistently and verifiable measure and improve operating efficiency and minimize environmental impacts. This translates to lower energy costs, a better place to work, and ultimately, the ability to command a higher price per square foot for owners and developers.
Prerequisites Include:
- Plumbing Fixture Efficiency
- Energy Efficient Performance of HVAC and Electrical Systems
- Sustainable Purchasing
- Solid Waste Management
- Green Cleaning Policies
More on LEED EBOM at the USGBC website.
[+] FBI Chicago Receives Highest USGBC Award [PR Newswire]
LEED-EBOM should be MORE sexy than NC. Simple math says that making existing buildings more efficient will lead to more gains, more efficiency, and a better building infrastructure that is more sustainable.
It can be a better PR item (ie. more “sexy”) if we start paying attention to the right things.
[…] every day in our building, and we promote the concept as much as possible to our tenants. In fact, our building was the first in the world to earn the Platinum Level LEED EB O&M from the USGBC. Earning the Earth Award justifies our commitment to the environment as well as our tenants. During […]